“Do you need any help?” he asked.
“No. I can do it myself.” I got up from the couch and stumbled to the bedroom.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Jack
When we reached my penthouse, I showed Lorelei to the other guest room upstairs.
“Here’s your room.” I set her bag down on the bed. “Hope’s is right across the hall. Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thanks, Jack.” She gave me a small smile.
Looking at my watch, I noticed it was almost time to pick up Hope.
“Hope will be out of school soon, so I’m going to head out now.”
“Okay. I can’t wait to see her.”
“We’ll be back soon.”
I walked down to the limo and climbed in.
“Good job getting Lorelei to stay with you,” Tony spoke.
“It was the easiest way. She’s in no condition to take care of Hope on her own right now.”
I stood outside the front doors of the school and Hope walked out with a smile on her face. A smile that made me smile.
“How was school today?” I patted her head and took her backpack from her.
“Good. Are we going to visit my mom now?” she asked.
“Yes. But we’re not going to the hospital,” I replied as I slid in next to her in the back seat.
“Where are we going?” She looked up at me with her blue eyes.
“Your mom got out of the hospital today and she’s staying with us at my house until she’s fully recovered and she can take care of you on her own.”
Her eyes widened. “She’s home?”
“Yes, and she can’t wait to see you.”
“So I’ll be staying with you and her until she’s better?”
“Yes, Hope.”
She reached over and threw her arms around my neck.
“That’s the best news ever!” she exclaimed.
When we stepped out of the elevator, Hope ran into the living room and found Lorelei sitting on the couch with her sketchbook.
“Mommy!” she yelled as she ran to her and hugged her tightly.
“Hey, baby. How was school today?”
“It was good. How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling better, sweetie. I missed you so much and so did Luna.”
“I missed you too. I’m so happy you’re out of the hospital.” She climbed onto her lap.
My phone rang, and when I looked at it, I saw that Coco was calling. I excused myself and went into my office.
“Hello.”
“Hey. My trip got cut short, so I’m on the next flight out. How’s everything going?”
“Fine. Lorelei got out of the hospital today and she’s staying with me for a few days until she’s fully recovered.”
“Who are you and where’s my brother?” She laughed.
“Very funny. We need to talk tomorrow, so come straight to my office. No, in fact, come straight to my penthouse in the morning. I don’t want anyone in the office to overhear us.”
“You’re scaring me, Jack. What’s going on? Does this have anything to do with Bradley?”
“Yes. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“Okay. I’ll be there.”
I walked into the living room and took a seat next to Hope and Lorelei on the couch.
“What does everyone want for dinner?”
Lorelei arched her brow at me. “Are you cooking?”
I shrugged. “I can maybe cook something. I make a mean hot dog and macaroni and cheese.” I grinned.
“He does,” Hope spoke.
“But, how about we order something in? Maybe a pizza, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Mexican. You name it.”
“I want tacos!” Hope expressed.
“Tacos sound good, Miss Hope. What do you think, Lorelei?”
“Tacos it is.”
“Are you hungry now or should we wait a while?” I asked them.
“We can eat later. I’m going to get a snack and then do my homework now so we can watch a movie later. Just the three of us.” Hope smiled.
“And what movie would that be?” I asked.
“Cinderella.”
I raised my brow. “Haven’t you seen that like a billion times?”
“Yes.” She giggled. “But I love it and you never watched it, have you?”
“No. I haven’t.”
“Good. Then we can all watch it together later.” She took Luna and walked away.
I followed her into the kitchen and cut her up an apple. I placed the slices on a plate with some peanut butter as she sat down at the table and started her homework. I took another plate of apples and handed it to Lorelei.
“Apples?” I asked.
She smiled as she took one from the plate and bit into it.
After dinner, Hope changed into her pajamas and summoned me to sit down to watch Cinderella.
“You can sit next to me, Jack.” She smiled as she patted the couch.
Lorelei fell asleep more than halfway through the movie. I wish I could have done the same thing.
“Isn’t Prince Charming the best?” Hope asked as she looked at me.
“He’s not all that.” I grinned.
She giggled. “Yes he is. He never gave up finding Cinderella, his true love. Then he made her his princess. That’s why he’s the best.”
“Do you have a crush on Prince Charming?” I asked.
“Maybe.” She giggled.
Just as the movie ended, Lorelei woke up. She looked like an angel while she slept and I couldn’t help but steal glances at her from time to time.
“Okay, kiddo. It’s time for bed. Go brush your teeth and I’ll be up there to tuck you in.”
“Okay, Jack, but I want my mom to tuck me in too.”
She went upstairs and I looked at Lorelei.
“You missed half the movie.”
“I’ve seen it a million times.” She smiled. “I can practically recite every line.”
“I bet you can.”
We both got up and went to tuck Hope in. When we reached her bedroom, she was already in bed. Lorelei pulled the covers over her and kissed her good night.
“Good night, kiddo.” I patted her head.
“Don’t forget to say good night to Luna.” She held her doll out to me.
“Good night, Luna.” I shook her small cloth arm.
Hope giggled as we turned off the light and stepped out of the room. I followed Lorelei into her room to make sure she settled in comfortably.
“Are you tucking me into bed, Jack?” She raised her brow.
“Do you want me to?” I smirked as I stood in front of her.
“I’m more than capable of tucking myself in.”
I ran my thumb across her cheek and stared into her tired eyes.
“Thank you for staying here. I know you wanted your own bed, but this way was easier for everyone.”
All I wanted to do was to climb into bed with her and hold her for the rest of the night. These emotions that consumed me were new and I wasn’t quite sure how to handle them.
“I’m sorry, Lorelei,” I whispered as I stroked her hair.
“For what?”
“Everything.” I leaned in closer and softly brushed my lips against hers.
She placed her hand on my chest and pulled away. “I’m tired, Jack. Good night.”
“Good night.”
I walked out of her room, frustrated as fuck, and went downstairs and poured myself a scotch.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Lorelei
Climbing into bed, I placed my fingers on my lips, still feeling the tingling sensation of his soft kiss. I forgot to take my last antibiotic pill for the night, so I climbed out of bed and went downstairs where I saw Jack sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace, holding a drink.
“I thought you went to bed.”
“Why are you up?” he asked.
“I forgot to take my pill.”
I walked into the kitchen and took a pill from the bottle that was sitting on the counter. Jack followed behind, opened the refrigerator and handed me a bottle of water.
“Thanks.”
He nodded his head and went back to the living room, pouring himself another scotch.
“What’s wrong, Jack? I can tell something is bothering you.”
“Nothing. Go to bed, Lorelei,” he spoke in a harsh tone.
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”