First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 13

  Once Taytum's work study is over and she leaves, I keep replaying her words over in my head. I mean, yes, I think my daughter is amazing because I'm her mother but to hear that Taytum thinks the same and that she loves my daughter, that just... warmed my heart and literally made my heart flutter. Taytum's words made me feel so grateful for her and stir up feelings I don't quite understand or know why I might have towards her. Just like when she said she wasn't joking about calling me hot. I was still trying to wrap my head around that.

  Luckily I was actually able to concentrate during my meeting this afternoon but wasted no time afterwards to leave and head home, ready to see my daughter. I pull into my driveway and take a deep breath then release it to hopefully rid myself of any stress from work so I can be my best self for my daughter. As I get out of my SUV, I hear music playing and Taytum shouts "one, two..." Kadence then screams "three!" I hear a splash and realize they are actually at Taytum's house in her swimming pool again today.

  I smile as I walk towards their backyard and hear Kadence laughing. I peek over the fence gate "hey you two!" Both Kadence and Taytum whip their heads around in my direction and both of them have matching smiles once they see me. Taytum swims with Kadence over to the side of the pool and lifts her out of the floatie for her to stand up on the concrete around the pool. I figured my daughter would come running to the gate to see me but instead she turns around to look at Taytum still in the pool and says "come on TayTay, out" and makes grabby hands towards Taytum.

  Taytum laughs as she pushes herself up out of the pool. As soon as she is out, she reaches down and scoops my daughter up into her arms and walks across the concrete to unlock the gate and let me in. I desperately try to keep my eyes from roaming over Taytum's figure but I fail miserably. My eyes stray right to her tattoos, her abs and those arms that protectively hold my daughter. As Taytum unlocks the gate it feels like my throat is completely dry. She holds the gate open for me to enter and as soon as I step through the gate, Kadence lunges forward, wrapping her arms around my neck and wetting my shirt in the process. "I miss you mommy."

  I reach out to take Kadence but she yells "no!" I move my head back and look at her and she is just shaking her head no. "Hug both us." Kadence says in her little bossy voice. I sternly look at her so she adds in "pwease mommy!" I glance at Taytum and she just shrugs her shoulders and tickles Kadence's side causing her to giggle. I second guess the appropriateness but go in for the hug anyway, wrapping an arm around my daughters back and one around Taytum's bare waist right above her swim shorts.

  Taytum wraps her free arm around me and pulls me closer as Kadence wraps one arm around my neck and the other around Taytum's neck. I can't stop the sigh of contentment that escapes my lips as I cherish the feeling of being held securely by Taytum.

  "How was your meeting?" Taytum softly asks.

  I take a deep breath. "It was boring and I was ready to come home."

  Taytum chuckles, "I can only imagine. I hope it's okay that I took the liberty of cooking dinner. It's in the oven so you two can eat. I made chicken and rice with oven roasted carrots and potatoes plus fruit salad in the fridge."

  I pull away from our hug and look at Taytum giving her an appreciative smile. "Thank you sweetheart. You didn't have to do that but I greatly appreciate it. Will you stay for dinner as well? Please?"

  Taytum smiles as she raises her free hand and gently brushes a strand of hair from my face causing my heart to race. "It's the least I could do and I would love to eat with you and KK." I lick my lips as I look at her because even though my daughter is right here in Taytum's arms and it would be highly inappropriate, I have the sudden urge of wanting her to kiss me right now. Why did I just think that? I snap out of my thoughts as I hear Taytum talking to Kadence. "Okay princess, stand down so I can clean up real quick and go change."

  After Taytum stands KK down, I help my daughter take off the arm floaties and give them to her. "Can we help clean up?" Before I even finish my question, Taytum is already shaking her head no.

  "I've got it Dani but thank you. You two go ahead to your house so KK can get dry and change. As soon as I finish here I will change and be right over."

  I smile appreciatively as I scoop my daughter up into my arms. "Thank you Taytum, I will leave the kitchen door unlocked for you." I open the fence gate and walk over to my house with my daughter. Kadence is not the only one that needs to change because my clothes are damp now because of the hugs.

  Once Kadence is in dry clothes I go to my bedroom and hurriedly change into jeans, a t-shirt but decide to stay barefoot so I can be a little more comfortable. I replay my earlier thoughts in my head about wanting Taytum to kiss me and I realize that I am definitely attracted to her. I shake my head to dismiss my thoughts and head downstairs. As soon as I get to the kitchen I hear a knock on the kitchen door. My stomach seems to explode with butterflies knowing who is on the other side of the door.

  I take a deep breath then open the kitchen door and my eyes quickly take in Taytum's appearance. She looks comfortable and relaxed in her gray sweatpants and white tank top that show off the definition of her strong, toned arms. She has her still wet hair put up in a bun and her blue eyes seem to darken as I notice her eyes travel down my body then back up. I am super aware how I must look now and probably should have put on something different. "Hey," I breathe out as my eyes meet hers. "I... sorry, I just put this on to be more comfortable."

  Taytum smiles "hi," she replies in a slightly lower tone that causes my stomach to do flip flops. I move aside for her to enter my house and I try to calm my nerves. "You look beautiful Dani." Taytum says with a wink which causes my heart to race and it suddenly feels extra warm in here. "I love the relaxed look on you, you look perfect."

  As I am closing the door I hear the patter of Kadence's feet against the floor as she comes running in here to the kitchen. "TayTay, you here!" My daughter exclaims excitedly.

  Taytum squats down and opens her arms. Kadence jumps into her open arms and wraps her little arms around Taytum's neck in a hug to which she receives one in return. "Of course princess. No way I was passing up dinner with two of my favorite people."

  Taytum releases the hug as Kadence lets go of her neck. "Me and mommy?" My daughter questions.

  Taytum smiles at my daughter and looks at her with the most adorable look. "Yes princess, you and your mommy. Why don't you go wash your hands while I get dinner out and mommy grabs plates for us?"

  "Yay!" Kadence cheers then takes off down the hall to the half bath yelling "ok TayTay."

  Taytum is stirring up so many emotions in me recently and it has felt like my head was spinning at times. I am having feelings I haven't felt before for her and I don't know how long I can continue to ignore them.