Cappuccino Kisses. Yahrah John St.

      EJ shook his head., “No, but I guess you’re going to make me?”

      “Something like that.”

      EJ sunk deeper into the sofa cushions and was quiet for several long moments before he finally spoke. “There were some kids razzing me because I don’t have a mother.”

      Everett frowned and sat upright. He hated hearing EJ talk like that. “You had a mother, EJ. Her name was Sara. She’s not here with us now, but she loved you very much.” It was important to Everett that EJ remembered her and knew that he’d been loved and was a product of that love.

      “I know that, Dad, but I still don’t like hearing about it. Have kids bring it up like I’m some sort of freak or something.”

      “You’re not a freak.” Everett patted EJ’s thigh. “You’re just different. And you have to be okay with that. You still have me, or am I chopped liver or something?” It was one of things he worried about—that somehow he wouldn’t be enough for his son. Lord knows, he’d tried to be a father and a mother all rolled into one, but it was hard sometimes.

      EJ gave him a reluctant half smile. “No, but it’s...it’s just not the same.”

      Everett wasted no time pulling his son into a firm hug and holding him close to his chest. “I know that,” he said, leaning back to look at him. “And I know that I can’t be your mom, but I promise you I will do my best to be both a mother and father to you. Whatever you need, I’m here.” He gazed into EJ’s dark eyes, which were cloudy with unshed tears, then tugged him back into his arms. “I’m always here.”

      “Love you, Daddy,” EJ whispered into his chest.

      Those three words were all that Everett would ever need.

      * * *

      Mariah stared at her reflection in the mirror in the bathroom of her two-bedroom apartment. She looked pretty darn good if she did say so herself. She was wearing her favorite pair of skinny jeans, a floral tunic and a long dangling necklace. She’d applied a trace of mineral foundation, mascara, and the finishing touch was lipstick. She typically never went to such trouble dressing each morning, since she spent the first few hours of her day in the kitchen. But the thought that Everett might show up again today had her making a special effort. Her stomach was in knots with eager anticipation of his arrival.

      She must have been noticeably antsy because later that morning Jackson commented as much. “What’s got you so jumpy?” he asked. “Every time the doorbell chimes, I can see you perk up. Are you waiting for someone?” One of his eyebrows rose with amusement. He knew the answer.

      “No.”

      “Liar.” He laughed as he continued with the fondant cake he was working on for an upcoming wedding. Jackson had become quite the cake aficionado and they’d already received a few orders.

      “Am not.”

      “You’re wearing makeup. And you’re dressed up today.” He eyed her attire and face before returning to his task.

      Mariah glanced down at her outfit. She’d gone for casual chic, so as not to look as if she was trying to attract a certain person’s attention or advances.

      “C’mon, sis, I know you, and you can’t get anything by me.”

      Mariah rolled her eyes and sauntered out of the kitchen. “Whatever.” There was no denying that Jackson was right, but that wasn’t what irked her. It was Everett. He was late. He usually came around 9:00 a.m. and it was after ten, which meant she’d gone through all this trouble for nothing.

      She shouldn’t be surprised that he’d finally taken the hint. She had given him the brush-off three times and he must have figured three strikes and he was out. She’d blown it.

      The doorbell chimed and Mariah didn’t bother looking up this time, so was surprised when she finally did and found his dark brown eyes looking at her.

      “Everett.” She swallowed the lump that suddenly formed by having the businessman yet again in her crosshairs.

      “Hey.” He smiled, showing off his sparkling white teeth.

      “Hi.” Mariah didn’t know why she couldn’t think of anything but a one-syllable word, and her heart was hammering in her chest.

      “Surprised to see me?”

      “Actually, no, I’m not,” she replied, finding her voice. “You’ve been persistent, so I doubted today would be any different.”

      “Is that why you dressed up for me today?” Everett asked, raking every inch of her figure with his magnetic gaze.

      Mariah started to say no, but knew it would be a bold-faced lie, so she led with the truth. “What if I did?”