Page 23 of Breathless

“God, that’s sweet,” Tasha sighed. “So’s that man he picked to look after Zach. He’s sweet, too. And beautiful, and he was teaching Zach how to speak Korean. The child is three and he’s already picked up a few phrases. Meanwhile, my little angels are duct-taping pillows to their butts so they can slide down the stairs.”

Fiona was about to respond, but Tasha started rifling through her purse. “So, JD, I’ve thinking about getting your brother’s input on the younger-children situation at Bellamy House..”

Fiona’s ears perked up. Ever since Younger and Seamus’ husband Bellamy had gotten together to extend youth center services to offer shelter and protection for children and survivors of sexual abuse, she’d been volunteering there as a therapist and helping out wherever she could. Those kids had been through hell, and she’d lived in her own version long enough to know how important it was to have someone in your corner.

“Why Joey?” JD asked.

“It just seemed like something his company might want to donate time to,” Tasha said with a shrug. “He’s got a knack for that kind of thing, and there aren’t enough qualified people able to donate enough time for all those kids, which means some are slipping through the cracks. And I thought bringing some joy to the situation might help. Did I mention how happy Zach looked when I saw him?”

“A babysitter’s club?” JD asked skeptically.

“Actually, I see what she’s saying,” Fiona piped up. “The kids might love that, and it would take some of the pressure off the volunteers who are trying to help the parents as well. It’s worth considering.”

“Thank you, Fiona.” Tasha turned an innocent eye on JD. “You know, Fiona volunteers at Bellamy House. But I don’t believe I’ve seen your name on the volunteer roster.”

JD put his hand to his ear. “Excuse me, I think I hear my parents and nine foster brothers calling.”

Tasha snorted, and then her expression turned devilish. “You should tell Joey there’s a huge market of overworked moms and single fathers here looking for his kind of services, too. He could open an office in this city and make a killing. And if they’re all as attractive as the one I got a look at, he should think about catering to adults, as well.”

“Here?” JD sounded like he’d swallowed a frog. “I don’t know. He’s pretty happy where he’s at right now.”

Fiona bit her lip to hide her smile. JD loved his family to pieces, but they had a tendency to overwhelm him when they came by for a visit. Royal was already married into the Waynes. If Joey moved here, too? Well, then JD would probably be coming to the pub more often.

Tasha handed him a card. “Give him my number and tell him to think about it? If Stephen and I weren’t helicopter control freaks, and I didn’t think my husband would be jealous of all that hotness wandering around our house, we’d steal the Manny away from Noah today.” Her expression lost some of its sparkle. “Did that sound as awful as I think it did? I’d never do that.”

Fiona impulsively covered Tasha’s hand with her own. “Of course not. And if Zach is doing as well as you say he is, Noah would probably fight you for him. You know how he is about Zach’s education.”

Tasha nodded, but she still looked chastened. “Ellen says we need to bring next month’s family dinner to him, regardless of his mood, but Stephen is worried it might be too soon. Can you find out what Wyatt thinks? He knows Noah better than anyone.”

Noah was a touchy subject with Wyatt lately. “I’ll ask him.”

She got to her feet, straightening her purple summer dress and slipping her purse back onto her arm. “Thanks for the drink, but I’ve got to run.” She threw a thumbs up at Fiona. “And good job distracting me from the baby daddy question. The other members of this family haven’t been this much of a challenge in ages.”

She should probably be scared that Tasha wouldn’t let it go, but Fiona found herself smiling at the door in bemusement instead. This family. They said things like that all the time now. As if it were a given that she was one of them.

You know you can’t be. Not really.

“Fiona? How worried should I be that the senator’s wife sounds like she wants to start a Manny stripping business? I’m not saying it’s not a brilliant idea, but I don’t think my brother would go for it.”

At least Tasha had managed to distract him from the baby-daddy dilemma.

Her phone buzzed and she glanced down at the screen.

Wyatt:I gave him the remote. I love you. Please bring home chips.

Thor:Suck. Up.

She just needed a little more time.

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