Page 37 of Lucky Baller
“Nothing. We’ve got a good team here today. Thank you, though.”
I nod. “Dinner tonight?” I know damn well she’s going to turn me down.
“Landon—” She shakes her head with a grin.
“Hey.” I hold my hands up in mock surrender. “Just asking a friend to have some dinner, share a meal, shoot the shit.”
“Uh-huh.” She’s all-out grinning now, and I love every second of it.
“I guess I’m gonna go.” While I say the words, I make no move to pull my ass out of this chair.
“Thanks for lunch. I’d offer to repay you, but I know better.” She points to my face. “That look tells me I’m right.”
“You’re welcome, Tess.” I force myself to stand and am surprised when she does, as well.
“I’ll walk you out.”
“Any new adoptions?” I ask as we walk toward the front door.
“Not this week. They come in spurts. We’re actually due for another adoption fair. Autumn and I need to get on that,” she says absentmindedly.
We reach the door, and I turn to face her. “I’ll see you soon?”
“Yeah, see ya soon,” she agrees and waves.
I want to hug her or kiss her or beg her to let me stay, but do none of them. Instead, I let my lead-filled feet carry me to my SUV.
“Where are you headed?” Jeremy asks, climbing out of his SUV as I reach mine.
“Home.”
“I thought you brought lunch?” he asks, opening the back door and lifting his son out of his seat. “Can you say hi to Landon?” he asks his son.
The little boy waves, resting his head on his dad’s shoulder. “Yeah, I did. Tess and I just ate.”
“And you’re leaving?” He raises an eyebrow.
“She said she doesn’t need any help.”
“And you took her word for it?”
“I made a scene, got all pissy when I walked in on a situation that wasn’t what it looked like with a volunteer. I’m sure your wife will retell the story.”
“What’s your version?” he asks.
“Mommy!” JJ yells, holding his arms out.
“Hey, sweet boy,” Autumn greets us. “Husband.” She grins, going on tiptoes to press her lips to Jeremy’s.
“Princess,” he whispers, and even I can hear the love in his tone.
“See you inside,” she tells him, then turns to look at me. “You got our girl all flustered.”
“Yeah.” I run my hands through my hair, not sure how much Tessa has told her.
“Good. She needs someone to keep her on her toes. You’re a lucky man that you have her attention.” She grins like she just won the lottery, and I have no idea what that’s all about.
She doesn’t give me the chance to comment before she’s strolling off toward the building, her son telling her all about daycare this morning.
