20. Judd

Judd

The guest room showerhead sputters to life, the hiss of water filling the small space. I step into the stream, the heat easing the stiffness in my neck and shoulders. My fingers rake through my tight curls, rinsing away the remnants of last night—pasta, laughter, the lingering trace of Nakul’s cologne. The memory of his warmth pressed against me as we slept flashes through my mind.

I tilt my head back, letting the water drum against my face.

God, last night was... something else.

Nakul’s laugh, low and genuine, echoes in my head. The way he looked at me, like I was worth all the time in the world. The way he touched me, tasted me, made love to me. Nakul mentioned he was obsessed but I think I’m on that same wavelength now. He’s all-consuming, overwhelming in the best of ways, and I crave more of him.

I exhale sharply, trying to ground myself in the present. Nakul stayed over. He’s here, in my house, and that realization fills me with equal parts exhilaration and terror. I rinse off quickly, shutting off the water and reaching for a towel.

I pad back into the guest room, pulling on a pair of jeans and a gray T-shirt. I glance at the clock. It’s late—later than I’d usually let Stevie sleep, but I'm working from home today which means no daycare and she’s probably wiped out from yesterday afternoon. I rub a hand through my damp hair, drying it off until it’s acceptable before heading down the hall to her room.

The door creaks softly as I push it open. Stevie’s still sprawled out, her mop of curls a chaotic halo around her face. Her mouth is slightly open, her blanket now fully on the floor right next to her bonnet. She’s always been a chaotic sleeper but it’s always worse when she’s really, really tired. “Hey, sweetie. Time to get up.”

She groans, rolling onto her side, reaching for her blanket and not finding it. “More minutes,” she mumbles.

“More minutes turns into hours with you,” I tease, ruffling her hair gently. “Come on, sleepyhead.”

Her eyes blink open, unfocused and bleary. “Why?” She asks, her voice a tiny, indignant protest.

“Because it's time for breakfast and you can’t sleep all day. Besides,” I add with a grin, “the guy with the kind eyes slept over.”

That gets her attention. Stevie bolts upright, her face lighting up like I just told her it’s Christmas morning. “Na-ool?!” she squeals, clapping her hands excitedly. “He's still here?” One day we’ll work on his name but Nakul finds it adorable.

I laugh, scooping her up as she wiggles with anticipation. “Yep, he’s still here. But first, let’s get you washed up and dressed. You don’t want to go say hi looking like a grumpy porcupine, do you?”

She giggles, squirming in my arms as I carry her to the bathroom. The routine is familiar—brushing her teeth, washing her face, wrangling her into her favorite leggings with the sparkly stars and a bright yellow T-shirt she insists matches. It doesn’t, but I don’t argue. When Stevie’s happy, the whole house feels lighter.

Once she’s ready, she hops down and darts toward the kitchen. “I want to say hello to Na-ool!” she yells, her voice echoing through the house.

I trail after her, grinning as I hear her little feet pattering across the floor. She skids to a stop in the doorway, scanning the living room with a frown. “Where is he?”

“Relax, kiddo. He’s probably—”

Before I can finish, Nakul steps out of my room, freshly showered, his dark hair slicked back and glistening. He’s still wearing yesterday’s clothes but he looks effortlessly handsome. My stomach does a little flip and I curse how easily he affects me.

“There you are!” Stevie exclaims, running to him. She wraps her arms around his leg, grinning up at him like he hung the moon.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Nakul says, crouching down to her level. “Did you sleep well?”

She nods vigorously. “Uh-huh! Eat with us?”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” he replies, lifting her easily into his arms. She giggles as he carries her to her booster seat, setting her down gently. “What’s on the menu, Chef Stevie?”

“Yogurt and blueberries!” she declares proudly. Of course, none of that comes out correctly, a garbled mess that only I can understand. Nakul’s nose scrunches up in confusion before looking to me for help. God, they’re both adorable.

“Coming right up,” I say, grabbing the yogurt and berries from the fridge. I set her bowl in front of her, watching as she digs in with gusto. There will probably have to be another bath this morning but I don’t mind.

Nakul leans against the counter, his arms crossed, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watches Stevie. “She’s a character,” he says, his voice low enough that only I can hear.

“She’s the best,” I reply, and when I glance at him, our eyes meet. The air between us shifts, and for a moment, it feels like the world narrows to just the two of us.

“Breakfast of champions?” Nakul asks, holding up the box of Honey Nut Cheerios I’d left on the counter. His grin is infectious and I laugh as I pour us each a bowl.

“Only the finest for you,” I tease, nudging his shoulder as we stand by the sink, eating cereal like two kids sneaking a midnight snack. Mornings like these I’ve always spent alone but it feels amazing sharing it with Nakul.

Stevie’s happily occupied, humming to herself as she munches on her blueberries. Nakul sets his bowl down and turns to me, his expression softer now. “Last night was...”

“Yeah,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “It was.”

He leans in, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that’s gentle and unhurried. It’s a moment just for us and it feels perfect. When we pull back, I see the warmth in his eyes, the quiet certainty that makes my heart ache in the best way.

“Are you free tonight?” I ask, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my chest. “Maybe it’s stupid, but this is perfect and it feels like there’s just not enough time in the day.”

Nakul studies me for a moment, his gaze searching mine. “Addicted?” he snorts.

“Maddeningly. If my sisters want more time with my daughter, I’m not going to tell them no.”

The man laughs, shaking his head. “Let me at least wine and dine you first and by that, I mean nachos and cheap beer.”

Before I can respond, Stevie calls out, “I’m done!” waving her empty bowl in triumph. Nakul chuckles, walking over to help her down from the booster seat. She surprisingly didn’t spill anything on her shirt but there’s a lovely dollop of yogurt on the floor from her waving her bowl.

Stevie darts off into the living room, no doubt searching for the loudest toy possible. Nakul catches me in a surprise kiss before whispering, “I’ll see you tonight.” Then he leaves me with my wild child as I have to decide which sister to enlist tonight.

Regardless of which one I choose, they’re going to ask about my relationship with Nakul and I’ll deflect as I have been for the past two weeks. There are only days before Christmas but I’m still not ready. It’s almost as if I’m waiting for this perfect bubble to explode and leave me with nothing.

Tonight, though.

Tonight, I’m going to tell him how I truly feel.