I missed everything about him, the way he smelled, the way he was constantly licking over those addictive lips of his, and the way his expression would change when he talked about Emily. Jared loved his daughter very much, he would go out of his way to give her anything she asked for and he was there when she needed him.
"Maybe we can get along enough to be able to pick her up from each other and give our mother's a rest." I told him, knowing that his offer to help clean up was only an excuse for us to talk and catch up. I think he missed me just as much as I missed him.
"Yeah. I think we can manage that." Between the two of us, we had the place cleaned up quickly and just as we finished, I walked outside with him to toss the bag into the trash. "Come get some of this cake to take home with you."
There was so much left over and I hated to throw it away, but the truth was, I had never been much of a fan of cake. He sat there watching me slice the majority of what was left over for him to share with his mom and brother.
"Nice work with Ashley and Shannon."
I licked the icing from my finger and giggled. "All I did was suggest that he ask her out." I grinned, knowing that his mother and I had been trying like hell to get the two of them in the same place for a while now.
"Nice try, but I saw the thumbs up to my mom. How did you manage to talk him into it?" He inquired.
"Jared, I don't know what you are talking about. I told you, all I did was suggest it." I handed him a bag with individual containers of cake and followed him to the door, shocked me when he pulled me closer for a hug.
My tense body relaxed against his and after he pulled away, he brushed the few strands of hair that were beginning to fall behind my ear. I let my face linger near his and when I realized it was for too long, I pulled back, freeing my hair. "Here. Sorry, I forgot it's your hair tie." I held it out for him to take.
"I've got one in my truck, keep it. It was great to see you again Kris. Let's keep in touch, okay. Oh, is it good that I keep Emily tonight? If you have plans, it's fine."
I nodded my head, "No, it's fine, I don't mind." I watched him walk away and get in his truck, offering another goodbye and a wave before he drove off. Walking back into the house, I picked up the phone to call Ashley to find out what Shannon had to say to her.
It had been a long day of cleaning and getting ready for the party and I was exhausted. After a shower, I changed into my pajamas and was busy texting my mother when I received one from Jared. He wanted to know if I would be interested in going with him and Emily to play laser tag the next day.
I replied with a smiley face and a yes, further stating that it sounded like fun and how I missed the three of us hanging out. He text back responding that he would pick me up after lunch. A few minutes later he sent another saying, 'it's a date.'