Unexpectedly Yours (Private Relations 3)

Elle laughed at his use of air quotes around the word “nap” and grinned sheepishly.

She said, “Sorry, babe. I was really…uh, tired.”

Smiling, he leaned his head down and kissed her lingeringly, then said, “Me too. All the time lately.”

Elle said. “Thank you for making dinner. It was very sweet of you.”

“Reserve judgment until after you’ve eaten it,” Jim joked as he served them each a piece of chicken and some salad.

When they sat down, Elle immediately took a bite of the chicken. She popped it in her mouth and said, “This is really good. You’re hired.”

Chuckling, Jim said, “Always good to know I’ve got a backup plan if this PR stuff goes belly up.”

Over the next few minutes, they continued their lighthearted banter. When there was a break in conversation, Elle said, “Thank you for this. Seriously. I can’t remember the last time anyone made an attempt to take care of me that wasn’t my mom or dad.”

Jim looked at her with obvious tenderness in his eyes and said, “I’d really like to, if you’ll let me.”

He must have seen the mystified look on her face because he said, “You’re one of the most competent people that I know. Last weekend when you were talking about your lawnmower being broken, I probably could have helped but you were already in there fixing it.”

Elle said, “I’ve always had to do that stuff for myself. I’ve never had anyone I could rely on.”

Jim picked up her hand and quietly said, “Now you do.”

Feeling suspiciously misty-eyed again, Elle squeezed his hand and said, “Next time you can totally fix my lawnmower. I was covered in grease.”

Smirking, Jim said, “Oh, no. I wouldn’t have fixed it myself. I just would have called a guy.”

Elle snickered.

Jim could read her moods pretty well. He seemed to realize when she needed to lighten the mood. He seemed to know a lot about what she needed, actually. He was kind of perfect.

Chapter Sixteen

Jim stared at the road in front of him, trying not to think about what was likely to lie ahead for him. Around nine this morning, he and Elle had started driving to Bakersfield to visit her parents.

Elle had assured him that her father had calmed down, but he was still a little bit worried. He hadn’t been very high on Earl’s list after the last meeting. He couldn’t imagine knocking up his little girl would score him any points.

He looked over at Elle, who was incredibly pale. Setting his hand on her knee, he asked, “Sweetheart. Are you okay? You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“Just really nervous. I don’t want them to be disappointed in me. I feel like my dad is going to give me that look he did when I was a kid and did something wrong.”

“Honey, don’t think that way. It’s going to be fine. He loves you. He may be a little pissed off, but he’ll get over it.”

She said, “I just hate that look. I know it’s coming. He’s less angry but this morning my mom said he was still really pissed.”

Jim reminded her, “Most of that will end up directed at me, I think. So long as he’s been disarmed, that’s fine.”

Elle said, “Mom swears she hid the guns.”

“Comforting,” Jim said sarcastically.

“Isn’t it?” Elle agreed.

Reaching across the console, he squeezed her hand and said, “It’s going to be okay. We’ve got this.”

Elle nodded and said, “I know I have to deal with him at some point. I just hate conflict of any kind.”

Jim looked over at her and saw she had a bit more color. Nodding his head, he said, “It’s not really conflict, honey. We’re having a baby. That’s just a fact. I don’t think it will be as bad as you expect.”