Page 81 of Bargain with the Bachelor
“Oh honey…” Cinda placed a motherly hand over mine on the counter. “…the way he looks at you. He’s a smitten kitten.”
I was about to argue, but Hunter and AJ appeared from the hallway.
Hunter had the child riding on his shoulders, and AJ was making airplane noises with both arms held out to the sides like wings.
“Look Mommy! I’m flying. I’m a pilot.”
Cinda grinned up at him. “Yes, you are. And I hope you’re a pilot with shiny clean hands. Let me see.”
AJ held his palms out for his mother to inspect. When she pronounced them clean, Hunter swung the child off his shoulders and deposited him in his booster seat at the table.
“You need a whole house full of those,” Cinda told Hunter, nodding toward AJ.
The big smile he’d been wearing vanished. He looked almost frightened.
“I don’t know about that. I didn’t have too good of an example. I’d probably make a big mess of the whole dad thing.”
He kept his eyes down, making a project of placing his napkin onto his lap just right.
“Nonsense. You’re a natural. As long as you love them—and their mom…” Here Cinda shot a quick glance at me which earned her a wide-eyed glare in return. “…you’ll be great. You’ll see. Having a family is the best. I’d have ten more if I could.”
“Speaking of… anyone special in your life these days? Other than the Rocketman here.” Hunter grinned at AJ.
“Goodness no,” Cinda said. “Who has the time? My work hours are insane. The only man I have time for is the one currently decorating his shirt with chili.”
She leaned over and dabbed the front of AJ’s clothes with her napkin then kissed the boy’s cheek and threw her hands up in a what-are-you-gonna-do gesture, laughing.
“We keep the makers of OxyClean in business around here.”
“How’syourbusiness going?” I asked.
“Not bad. It’s growing. I got another mansion added to the weekly schedule. We could use more though. Hunter, if you hear of anyone who needs housekeeping, keep us in mind. The Oceanview Avenue types like referrals.”
“I’ll absolutely do that. In fact, our place might provide you a few new customers in and of itself. My condo’s pretty decent because I’m used to cleaning house. I never go into the other guy’s units, so I don’t know what kind of shape they’re in, but I can find out if there’s any interest.”
“Josh and Tuck definitely need your help.” I laughed.
Hunter blinked in surprise. “You’ve been in their place?”
“Of course. They’ve got a pool table. We play sometimes.”
“When was this?” He sounded perturbed.
I shrugged. “A few times when you were out.”
If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear Hunter was jealous.
Which was ridiculous. I had zero interest in Tuck or Josh or any of the other guys in the house. And did he really care?
After what he’d said about not wanting to mess up his company and the relationships with his friends, he had a lot of nerve acting jealous. The man was truly a mystery.
As hard to read as he was with me, Hunter couldn’t have been any more open and charming and sweet with AJ. The two of them chatted throughout the meal.
Afterward when AJ invited him to do a puzzle, Hunter sprawled on the living room floor with him, searching for pieces, seeming captivated by the boy’s every comment.
Captivated.That was a good word forme, I thought as I watched the two of them together.
As hard as I’d been fighting it, I had to admit it, at least to myself. I was totally infatuated with Hunter. And Cinda was right—hewouldmake an amazing father someday.
