My Darling Jane (The Darlings)

Sprawled out on Jane’s floor with couch cushions and throw blankets, I feel content. Jane’s head is on my arm, her hair brushing against my face.

I tease her a bit. “Is this a regular thing, having people over for floor sleepovers, or am I just lucky?”

She shifts to give me a look, one of those half-amused, half-serious glances. “I save the living room floor for the elite.”

I give her a gentle nudge, chuckling. “Maybe next time we could use a real bed?”

The question floats between us, and I watch as her long lashes brush against her cheekbones. “We talking about a next time?”

There’s a pause, and I wonder if I’ve pushed too far. But then she cracks a smile. “I’d like that.”

I catch the significance. She’s rolling the dice on us.

We hit a quiet moment, the kind that feels right. I switch gears. “Are you working tomorrow?”

Her hands play with my hair almost absently as if she’s not even aware of it. “Nope. I promised Londyn a day out in Central Park. They’ve got a fair this weekend.”

“I’ve never really checked out the park.”

She flicks me on the forehead. “Bull. Your place is right there.”

I shoot her my best wounded look, which I know works wonders. “All right, busted. But what do you say to me crashing your day out? I’ll even throw in dinner, my treat.”

“I don’t know. It’s supposed to be a mom-daughter thing . . .”

“It’ll be a blast. And I swear, I’ll behave. Plus, I’m pretty good at those carnival games. How about I win Londyn a giant stuffed animal? Maybe a penguin? It will be just us having fun.”

She thinks on it, and I can’t stand the wait, so I tickle her and get her to laughing as she pleads for mercy. “Fine, fine. You’re in. But keep that competitive side under wraps.”

“Deal.”

She settles back against me, and we soak up the quiet.

“I’ll snag the fluffiest beast they’ve got. We’ll have to make room for it,” I promise.

She smirks. “Great, another obstacle for the floor.”

I lean in, dropping my voice. “It’s not about the prize. It’s about the fun. Just two friends and Londyn enjoying the day.”

Her look softens, and I know I’ve played my cards right. “All right, but you better come through for Londyn.”

“I’ll get her the top prize, even if I have to hit up every booth.”

The silence stretches between us, comfortable, yet tinged with something else. Happiness?

The question is, Am I up for being just a friends with benefits guy with Jane? I shove that aside for now as she tells me more about her dinner with Tomas and how she’s considering letting him see Londyn. I tell her more about the history of my bio mom and how I grew up in a cult. I mention how she’s been sending me text messages, which I’ve ignored. Around two, I kiss her goodbye and leave, still buzzing from being with her.

In the morning, Rayna and the twins and I have breakfast at a local place, and then I send them off to the airport in a town car, counting down the time until I see Jane.

Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt with a hat and sunglasses, I hit Central Park’s entrance. It’s midday Sunday, and the place is swarming with people.

The sun plays hide-and-seek through the trees, and some street performers are doing their thing near Bethesda Fountain.

I spot Jane and Londyn by the entrance near the Plaza Hotel. Jane’s wearing a cute blue sundress and a straw hat. Londyn has her hair up in pigtails, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Jaspie!” she shouts as she runs toward me.

I catch her and swing her around. “You pumped for today? Got a whole day of park adventures ahead.”

Her head bobs like one of those dashboard dolls. “Picnic and ducks and the lake!”

Jane gives me a shy look and smiles hesitantly. I don’t kiss her or even try to hold her hand. We’re going to move at a snail’s pace to protect Londyn.

We weave through the park and pick a spot by Bow Bridge where the view’s pretty.

Jane’s got lunch sorted in a basket and spreads it out for us on a small blanket—sandwiches, strawberries, chips, and bottled water.

Londyn talks nonstop about her preschool. When she mentions her teacher Miss Erin, I have to keep my face straight as Jane smothers a laugh. Afterward, we head over to the boats, and Londyn picks out a purple one with yellow oars.

As I paddle us, Londyn perches at the front of the boat, taking it all in. Jane sits across from me, a smile on her face as she watches her.

“Jaspie, are you sure you know how to drive this boat?” Londyn asks.

I grin, giving the oars another strong pull. “Trust me, kiddo, I’ve got this. We won’t end up swimming.”

“I can swim!” she tells me proudly. “Mama taught me at the gym.”

Jane smirks at me. “That’s right. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing Jasper take a dip. Should we push him in, Londyn?”

She giggles. “No, Mama. We need him to row!”

“Hey now, no mutiny on my ship,” I say playfully, the rhythm of the boat in the water making a soothing sound.

Londyn laughs, then turns her attention to the water, trailing her fingers along the surface. “It feels like we’re flying!”

I agree, feeling a weird sense of pride that I’m contributing to her happiness. “You see any fish down there, Londyn?”

She leans over slightly, peering into the lake. “I think so. Hey, can fish hear us?”

Jane leans in. “They might. Why don’t you say hello?”

Londyn cups her hands around her mouth. “Hello, fishies! What’s your favorite color? Mine is blue! Do you like to draw? I do.” Then she goes on to tell the fish about a conversation she got into with another kid from preschool over who’s drawing was the best. Hers was, of course.

“Did they talk back?” I ask.

“I heard them. They think I’m a mermaid,” Londyn declares, settling back down with a satisfied nod.

As we glide over the lake, I catch myself looking over at Jane. She’s got Londyn tucked in next to her now as they soak up the sun.

My heart does something weird in my chest, and I have to glance away from them just to gather my thoughts.

Jane is incredibly beautiful and not in just a physical way. It’s the way she gazes at Londyn with a fierce kind of love.

After we finish on the lake, we walk along the path, and Londyn’s eyes light up at the sight of carnival games stretching out ahead. “Can we?” She pulls at my hand.

“Sure, let’s check them out,” I say, eyeing the lineup. We zero in on a dart game. It looks straightforward, just pop balloons and win stuff. The catch? The cool prizes need more balloons popped.

The guy running the show is all smiles and smooth talk. “Give it a shot,” he tells me, waving us over.

I lay down some cash. Should be easy, right? Wrong. My first three darts miss by a mile.

“Bit off your game, huh?” Jane says to me with a giggle.

“Just getting started,” I reply, throwing down more cash for round two. This round’s a bit better; one balloon pops, but it’s still not enough for a decent prize. Ugh.

The man running the game laughs at me, his eyes knowing. He gets that I have to win for Londyn. “Third time’s a charm,” he says.

“Watch this,” I say, more to myself than anyone. I’m not about to let a bunch of balloons best me. I can throw—hell, I’m a quarterback.

This time, it’s like the darts are part of my arm. Pop, pop, pop—the balloons don’t stand a chance. Londyn squeals as Jane laughs. I do my quarterback dance, then give them both high fives.

The man digs out the day’s top prize—a massive fluffy unicorn that’s almost as big as Londyn.

She wraps her arms around it, then me. “You’re the best, Jaspie!”

Jane gives me a playful shove. “Looks like you’re the champ after all.”

I feel ten feet tall.

Sure, it’s just a carnival game.

But seeing them happy, hearing their laughter, hell, this whole day, it’s about the best win I could ask for.