5. Torin

Chapter 5

Torin

Bella finished every drop of Joss's milk and then passed out hard. Joss and I had lunch and basically watched and waited to see how she'd react to it. She was usually a restless sleeper, but she barely moved at all during her three-hour nap. I had to keep checking to make sure she was still breathing because she was so content.

"So, I think it's safe to say she's nice and full." I leaned back in my chair at the dining table and stared right at Joss. "What do you say? Will you take the job?"

He opened his mouth and then closed it before sucking in a deep breath through his nostrils, as if needing to ground himself. "Just like that? You're not interviewing other people?"

"There are no other people, Joss. No one is willing to follow the strict dietary restrictions we have, and I'd really prefer someone who can live in. It's just too risky to have to rely on someone stopping by with milk a few times a day to make sure she doesn't go hungry." I bit my lip, hoping he wasn't gonna play hardball on this. "If it's about the money, I'm sure we can work something out. Stacy had a life insurance policy that is mostly going to Bella's college fund, but feeding her in the short term is really my priority."

He lifted his hands up as if to stop me. "No, the money's fine. In fact…" He looked away and I could tell he was struggling to find words to convey what he wanted to say. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Torin? I know I was just an experiment or whatever to you, but you were more than that to me, and it really fucked me up when you stopped talking to me. I know we're adults now and you're clearly straight, so I'm fine with taking the job if you're comfortable with the fact that I'm still not straight. Like, at all."

Fuck me. I knew we'd have to have this conversation, but I didn't expect it to be under these circumstances. "Of course I'm okay with you not being straight. Like I said earlier, I'm really sorry about the way I treated you back then. I was confused and scared and…an asshole. There's no other way to describe it. But I hope that we can at least be friends now."

He took a deep breath as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Okay, then. Friends it is."

"So you'll take the job?" I wanted to jump up and pull him into my arms… Which was a weird reaction for someone I was hiring. "Really?"

Joss chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Yes, really. When do you want me to start?"

"Now. Today. I mean… When can you move in?"

The smirk he flashed was familiar. The same one I used to see when I glanced at him at the back of the class or across the cafeteria. The one that made my dick twitch back then and… seemed to still have that same effect. What the hell?

I hadn't been attracted to a man in a decade. At least, not one who made me hard. Obviously, I could appreciate an attractive man as much as any attractive woman, but no one got me worked up like when I was a teenager. No one but Joshua.

"Yeah, I just need to go get my stuff from my buddy's house, and then I can be back in a few hours. Is that good?"

"It's great." I smiled but tried to keep things casual, like I wasn't jumping for joy on the inside. "Is there anything you'd like me to pick up at the store? Any food or drinks that you like? I'm not a bad cook, so if you have favorite meals, I'll do my best."

"No, but thank you." His eyes softened as he swallowed and looked away. "I really appreciate you asking, but I'm not picky. I'll eat anything that's on Bella's diet."

And now I needed to take a moment to look away. How could he be such a good guy? Always thinking of others without an ounce of entitlement or self-interest. It felt like it had been ages since someone put me and my daughter before themselves, and it was fucking nice.

As if Joss could sense my discomfort, he sat up from the table and took his plate and mine to the sink to quickly rinse them off. I should've stopped him, but I kinda liked the way he looked in my kitchen, taking care of things as if he belonged there.

Shortly after, Joss headed out and Bella woke up. She was giggly and happy with a full tummy, and for the first time in a month, I didn't feel terrified about how I was going to take care of my daughter.

I actually felt some hope that there was somebody ready to step in and provide what she needed…

And maybe what I needed too.