what the heart wants

chapter 14: You're a counterfeit lover.

“Uncle Jim!” Tim yelled as he ran over to him. I stood frozen watching as James held Judy in his arms and smiled at Tim who was very excited to see James. James smiled at the two, but he hadn’t looked up at me yet. I took a deep breath and willed my feet to move, but they didn’t. My foot went up, but nothing happened. Then James looked over to me. Judy wiggled out of his arms and she held his hand along with Tim. I never thought I’d be jealous of those two, until now, as they held James hand. Then I realized they were pulling him over to me, and I never loved them more than this moment. James stood a few feet away from me and Tim and Judy smiled up at me and I smiled back at them. Trying to avoid James very alluring blue eyes, that were most certainly a trap for me. 

“Hi,” James finally said. I looked up at him and gave him a small smile, only briefly looking him in the eyes. 

“Hi,” I replied. I felt Randy squirm and I looked down at him. He had woken up. “Hey Randy,” I said as he looked up at me through his hazel eyes and I smiled at the adorable little boy with dimples that matched his uncles. 

“What are you doing here Uncle James?” Tim asked. I looked up at him, hoping he wasn’t here with Emily. 

“Looking around. What about you?” James asked, then glanced over to me, but as soon as our eyes met he looked away. 

“Mili is gonna buy carrots,” Judy said with a big toothy smile. 

“Yum,” James said. 

“You wanna join us?” Tim asked. My eyes grew wide and James ruffled his hair then looked over to me and back to them. Be still my heart. Just him looking at me made my heart race. Jeeze, I had it bad...well I always have. James is my kryptonite, and he’s kind of my everything. Too bad it took me this long to realize this. To realize that I was nothing without him. 

“No it’s okay, I’m sure Mili wants to spend the day with just you guys,” James said. I felt my heart squeeze, he didn’t want to be with me. I looked up at him, his blue eyes locking with mine and I felt my heart speed up again and my fingertips itched to just touch him, even a little. 

“I don’t mind,” I quickly said before I could stop myself. James straightened up and looked at me, there was a small sparkle in his eyes and the corner of his lips was turned up just a little, maybe things would go to normal for us. God I wanted that so bad. 

“Is it just you guys?” James asked. 

“Ya,” I said while nodding my head. James smiled, causing me to smile. 

“You’re not on a date are you?” He asked. 

“Pfff, not with these three....plus, I’m not really....seeing anyone right now.”

“Yeah?” I nodded. James smiled and he looked down at Judy and Tim. 

“Then I guess I could tag along.” I couldn’t stop smiling even if I was paid to! 

“If you want,” I said nonchalantly. James smirked, he could see right thru my facade. I cleared my throat then looked around. “Are you uhm....are you here alone?” James nodded and I tried hard to not smile, and failed. “Okay,” I manage to say instead of ‘HELL YEAH!!’ 

“C’mon Uncle Jim,” Judy said as she began to pull him. 

“Where to?” James asked. 

“I did promise Judy carrots, let’s go look for some,” I said. James nodded. 

“And you promised ice cream too,” Tim said. I smiled at him. 

“I did, didn’t I?” I replied. Tim nodded.