Fresh Meet (Kings of the Water, #2)

by Jasmin Miller

“Yes, buddy. I’m your dad. Can you say that? Daddy?” Tanner nods and grins, but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he gives me a puckered kiss. The contact barely registers, but shit, the meaning of it is strong enough to almost knock me off my feet.

This is, without a doubt, the moment I become infatuated with Jace Atwood. I’m ready to have all his babies, the whole shebang, and I can’t even put into words why.

From the looks of it, this man is in my corner. He chose to be in my corner. And I’m not sure how to handle that. Because, and this is even more horrible, it’s the first time I know what that’s like.

why does it matter to me if this Brandon guy was her date for the night? It’s not like I have any claim on her. Or is that something I want?

One look at her, one look at that gorgeous face, and that sexy ass swaying like leaves in the wind, makes one thing blatantly clear. I want her. I want Em with my whole being.

“I could get used to this.” His nose runs up and down my neck. “You smell so good. Like lavender and sunshine.”

Jace bends down with his mouth close to my ear. “Don’t think we’re done yet, sweet Em. We’ve only just gotten started.”

Just not too much fun, but I don’t say that. I have no right to tell her what to do, no matter how much I want to. And boy, do I want to. I want to claim her. Tell everyone she’s mine.

“Me too.” He pauses. “Hey, Em?” I doubt I’ll ever get over how much I love it when he calls me that. It’s ours. “Mmm?” “I miss you.” The confession comes out quietly and quickly. I don’t think everyone would have understood his whispered words, but I did.

“I miss you too.” It’s easy to say the words back when they’re true. “Lunch tomorrow?” “Lunch tomorrow.”

She might be a little odd and crazy, but I’ve come to like her odd and crazy. A lot. I’ve been craving her so badly that I have to look at her when she’s in the same room as me. She’s like a rare natural phenomenon—impossible to ignore, absolutely breathtaking, and one of a kind.

Fucking chase that dream like the devil’s right on your heels because you deserve it. You deserve the world.”

“You can jump me like that anytime you want. No questions asked. No complaints uttered. Trust me.” He winks at me, he freaking winks at me, and I’m positive there’s a firework going off behind my rib cage.

With a shake of his head, he goes for my hands, gently prying off one finger after the other. “We already talked about you jumping me. It was the hottest thing, the absolute highlight of my life. And about my mom, I don’t mind if she knows about us. Do you?” That gets my attention. “Us?” “Yes, Em. Us. You and me.” He tilts his head to the side, studying me. “If it hasn’t been obvious, I like you, and I’d like to see where this is going. Unless that’s not what you want.”

Patricia grins too, her gaze flickering between Jace and me. At our hands. We’re holding hands.

“You still want to go to Nationals next week with Tanner?” “You bet. I’ve already thought of toys and activities to bring to keep Tanner happy.” “And my mom will be there too to help.” She chuckles. “I’m excited to see you in action.”

She’s absolutely intoxicating, and I’ve never felt like this about anyone else before. “Hold on, baby.” Standing up with her, I walk us into the bedroom. Wanting to feel her. Needing to feel her. I’m finally home.

His expression is serious, determined, and I’m about to die of nervous curiosity. “I sure hope you do because I really like you. I like us. I like where this is going. Em, I’m—”

My almost slip feels like years ago, even though it was only last week. Talk about bad timing though. Not my mom’s. I’m actually grateful she interrupted me from spilling the beans to Em. In retrospect, I realized it might have not been the best timing to confess my love to her after I’d just ignored her for days.

The way we fit together, the way she made me feel . . . like she was meant for me. I can’t stop thinking about her. She makes me believe that I might be able to have everything I want after all. And who wouldn’t want the whole package? A job I love, an awesome boy, and a gorgeous and incredible woman by my side. Could I really have it all?

The lovesick expression on his face is unmistakable though, and I wonder if I’ll look like this one day too when I’m talking about Em. Or maybe I already do? Especially when she’s pregnant like Harper. An image of Em with a child growing inside her belly—our child—fills my chest with a lightness that’s oddly energizing.

“Maybe next time you should write the numbers in the correct fucking order.” The words are out of my mouth, and I regret them the second I say them. Shit.

The tumble must have activated the screen a few times because when I pick it up, I stare at a picture of Em, Tanner, and me. My mom took it on the day Em and I went after her and Tanner to the park. Things had just started with Em and me, and it was a fun day. We both look so happy, and it pains me to not have that anymore. Because I want it. I miss it. I miss her. I miss us.

Because going forward, I know something with absolute certainty. She is my future. She is our future.

“My coach would be really proud of you right now. I know I am. He always says there’s never anything good coming from looking at past failures. All it does is imprison you, hold you back, and give you a late start into the future.”

He clears his throat, the rich noise making the hair rise at the nape of my neck, sending delicious shivers down my back. “Now about us.” I look him straight in the eye, the beautiful blue of his irises captivating me. “What about us?” “Oh, Em. There’s so much about us. So very much, baby.”

“Baby.” Her hands tremble in mine, and oddly enough, it gives me the courage I need to keep going. When I’m sure I have her full attention, I squeeze her fingers. “I love you.”

“I love you.” Her whispered words go straight into the deepest vault of my memory to keep it safe. And into my soul. And my heart. “What was that?” We both know I heard her, but I need to hear those three words again. “I love you.” Her gaze doesn’t waver from mine. It’s strong and steady, like her voice. “So very much. You and Tanner are my world.”

She makes quick work of my clothes while I watch her like a hawk, unable to take my eyes off her. Afraid this is all just a dream. That she’s here. That she’s forgiven me. That she loves me.

“I’m giving you my heart. Please . . .” Oh, my beautiful girl. The trust she’s placing in my hands. I don’t deserve her. “Em, I will take care of your heart. I will never be so careless again, I promise. I love you, so very much.” “I love you too. So much.”

Neither Em nor I are perfect, but we’re perfect for each other. She’ll be there to help me manage my flaws, while also driving me nuts with hers. But what matters most is that at the end of the day, I go to sleep with the person that completes me in the best, most imperfect way possible.

I turn my head toward Jace, who’s already staring at me with a bright-eyed look on his face. “What?” His gaze flickers to Harper before he leans in closer. “I can’t wait for you to be pregnant.” The comment is unexpected and I pull back. Oddly, after letting it settle for a moment, it’s not unwelcome. “Oh yeah?”

Jace ruffles Tanner’s hair while I smother his cheek with little kisses. This is life. This is happiness. Ups and downs and all these moments in between. My perfect imperfect life.

Her hand comes up to my chest as she chuckles, my favorite accessory sparkling on her left ring finger. I was planning on waiting to propose until the Olympic craziness was over in a few weeks, but I couldn’t wait any longer and asked her last month.

“He—” She chuckles and shakes her head. “He did it, babe. He secured a deal with . . . with PBS Kids.” Her voice is quaking and laced with joy as she loses the fight with her tears. “They want to turn my program into a TV show.”

“I still can’t believe it.” She blinks rapidly and just stares at me. “I’m so happy. First the engagement, then the positive test, and now this. I can’t believe it.” “I’m so happy for—” My smile drops as my brain catches up with her words. I tilt my head, my brows furrow. “Wait. What did you just say?” Her tears flow quicker down her cheeks as she chuckles and hiccups. “We’re having a baby.” What the . . .

It takes me a long moment before I begin to wrap my head around this piece of news. A laugh breaks from my chest. This is fucking awesome. “Are you serious right now?” She presses her lips together and nods, now crying in earnest as sobs begin to shake her body. I pull her on my lap and Em throws her arms around my neck. “We’re going to have a baby. I can’t believe it. I love you so fucking much.”

When everyone’s done, he lifts himself out of the pool, and the four of us form a huddle.

Calmness settles over my heart when my eyes land on Em and Tanner. They are all I see, all that matters. My eyes flicker up to the big screen where everyone witnesses the dance these two perform in my honor—congratulatory cardboards and all.