Linger

E I G H T Y - N I N E

"Sorry," Daniel apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. "That was, um, not exactly how I was planning for you to meet my brother."

I let out a laugh. "How were you planning for it to go?"

"Um, I don't know . . ." He looked around the front yard before shaking his head. "Not like that." He reached for my hands. "Do you want to get lunch or something? Just you and me."

Every part of me was screaming 'yes!'. Even though I had been avoiding him, time with Daniel is all I've been longing for all week. But I knew I wasn't the only one requesting his company. "Isn't your family waiting for you inside?"

"Yeah, but my gorgeous girlfriend is right here." He took a step closer, wrapping his arms around my waist, causing my heart to flutter. 

"How about . . ." I wound my arms around his neck. "We spend the day with them then we'll go to dinner?"

He pulled me closer. "You drive a hard bargain, Miss Parker," he murmured, pressing his forehead against mine. 

I giggled before reaching on my toes and giving him a quick kiss. 

His brown eyes stayed on mine as we pulled away. 

I searched them for any hesitancy or concern. "What?" 

"Thank you for being here with me. Really," sincerity evident in his voice. "It means a lot."

"Of course." I gave him a smile, taking his hand and leading him inside. "Come on. Let's go inside."

As soon as we opened the front door, little footsteps could be heard patting down the hallway. 

Daniel and I looked at each other with a smile before little Jenny came into view. 

"Uncle Man!!" the curly-haired toddler exclaimed, throwing herself into Daniel's arms. 

He chuckled as he lowered himself to her small height. "Hey, superstar." He lifted her into his arms with ease. 

I couldn't hold back my smile as I watched Daniel be so gentle with his little niece, my heart absolutely melting at the sight. 

"Yum!" she squealed, holding up a half-bitten cinnamon roll.

"Oooh, you got a cinnamon roll?" He widened his eyes playfully at the small toddler. "How did you get a cinnamon roll? I didn't make those!" 

The small toddler took a bite of the treat before letting out a giggle and I couldn't help but smile as well. 

"There's more in the living room," I told him, gently brushing my hand along his arm.

Daniel raised his eyebrows at me as a handsome smile tugged on his lips. "You brought them?!" 

I nodded. "Thought it'd be a nice welcome home treat for Brandon."

His eyes twinkled as they stayed on mine. "You're an angel, love." He bit his lip, holding my gaze for a moment more before dipping his head to my ear. "I'll see if we could leave now." 

The butterflies in my stomach fluttered and I lifted my head to look at him. 

He stepped back, a small smile still set on his lips as he straightened up and looked at Jenny in his arms. "How's that cinnamon roll, cutie pie?"

The small toddler looked from Daniel to me, her blue eyes wide before she broke out into a fit of giggles as well. 

"You enjoying yourself, silly goose?" He chuckled as he shifted her in his arms before bopping his finger on her nose. 

Jenny giggled even more before taking another bite of the cinnamon roll. 

"Let's go find the rest of those cinnamon rolls." Daniel led us down the hallway. "Did you see Madison's here too?" he asked Jenny, nodding to me.