18. Jett

Chapter 18

I help Wyla pull out a folded mattress—well, mattress is a strong word, it's more like a mat. Then we layer it with her comforter and more blankets.

"My sisters and I would do sister piles all the time growing up," Wyla says as she tosses some pillows to the top of our makeshift bed. "We never really grew out of it, but we did have to get these mats because laying on only the comforter was killing our backs."

I look down at the set up in front of us, I can't imagine this foam pad helps very much. "You know they make these things called air mattresses, right?"

Wyla chuckles and hits me with the last pillow before tossing it down. "I know, that's what I got at first but once Stevie turned three, she wanted to join and she was afraid she would roll off. So now, we sleep on a mat and my back only hurts a little in the morning. "

"Okay, Mommy, here are some more stuffed animals." Stevie saunters into the living room with her little arms full of stuffed bears, dogs, cats, and any cute animal you'd imagine a four-year-old to love. "Can you put them on my side?"

Those adorable dimples come over Wyla's face as she takes the animals from our daughter. "You got it. I'll line them up. Why don't you go pick out your pajamas, and I'll be right there?"

"Okay!" Stevie skips back to her room.

Wyla turns back to me and I help her with the zoo in her hands. "This is your last chance to be able to sleep in a real bed, Jett. I can't say I wouldn't take it."

"And let you have a sore back alone? No way." Leave her when I don't have to? No way. "Plus this almost feels like an initiation."

Another dimpled smile comes over Wyla's face. "Okay, if you insist."

"I do."

For a moment Wyla's eyes flick down to my mouth but then she looks away quickly and kneels down to set up the animals along the end of the mat by Stevie's pillow.

I hand her some more until they are all lined down the side, then offer her my hand to help her stand. "And I was thinking, if your mom is okay with it, I can stay here tomorrow with Stevie. Let you spend a little more time here in the morning," I say as I pull her a little too close when she stands.

"That doesn't seem like a bad idea." There's a gleam in Wyla's eyes. This whole friends thing has made her relax more around me, which I'm thankful for. But part of me does wonder if that seals my fate in the friend zone. Then again, if this is what being friends with her gets me, then I can't complain.

"Mommy! Daddy! Look, I put my pajamas on all by myself," Stevie cheers and spins around in her pink nightgown… that's on backward… and inside-out? I think there's supposed to be princesses on the front but you can only see the outlines.

Wyla laughs and I don't miss the step she takes back from me. "You did great, baby, but I think we might have it backward. Here, let me help you."

The girls go back into Stevie's room and I send a quick text to Anna so she knows I won't be coming back to her place.

Staying at Wy's tonight.

Is this like I'm crashing on the couch text or a don't wait up text?

Ah, never mind. I don't want to know. Stupid Waverley.

It's a sister pile text.

Oh damn, a sister pile? Nice going bro, I think you've won her over.

Well that gives me a confident boost.

As I toss my phone on the couch, Stevie comes barreling back into the living room and leaps on the pile with Poppy following behind her. "Okay, me and Pops are ready."

Wyla laughs and shakes her head. "Nice try, both of you. Poppy, your bed." She gives a short whistle. "Come on."

I swear both Stevie and the ninety-something pound German Shepherd pout.

"How about this?" I take the pink dog bed and move it over closer to Stevie, behind her wall of stuffed animals. "Come on, Poppy," I say, and tap on the top of the bed.

The dog hops over Stevie's legs onto the bed and lays down. "There we go. Compromise."

Wyla gives me her perfect smile and shakes her head again. "I used to be that dog's favorite. Now I've been pushed to the side. "

"Yeah, my side," I say, and Wyla's cheeks turn rosy.

She almost seems flustered but also happy about it as she gives me a small smirk then looks down at Stevie. "I'll read one book."

One book is all it takes for Stevie to drift off. Granted, I think she picked the longest book on her shelf, but by the end of it she's out cold. I guess those powers of hers aren't fully restored after all.

Wyla drapes another one of the blanket's over Stevie then turns to me. "Think you can get out of this pile without waking our daughter, old man."

"Old man?" I keep my voice low. "Listen, I said I wouldn't kiss you until you asked, but I'm not against spanking your bratty ass."

Wyla bites her lip to contain her laugh. "Is this where I'm supposed to make a daddy joke?" she whispers.

Oh, that's it. I stand up on the pile then reach down to pick her up and toss her over my shoulder. She squeaks out a laugh then smacks her hand to her mouth. Stevie stirs for a second but then settles. "You better keep that pretty mouth shut, baby girl."

"Caveman," Wyla whispers.

I carry her into the kitchen since it's the closest room that does not have our sleeping daughter in it. As I set her down, I let her body slide against mine. She feels so fucking good.

Her feet hit the floor and I expect her to step back but she doesn't. Her body stays flush to mine and her hands rest on my chest. I want to kiss her. I want to kiss her so damn bad.

My hand cups her cheek and my thumb glides over her lip, pulling the bottom one down. "Don't ask me tonight, Wy."

"Why not?"

"Because I want to savor it when you do."