Page 18 of The Forbidden Sitter
Shaking his head, he ran one hand through his dark hair, disheveling it just the tiniest bit. “Not at all. You just stirred me up a bit. Made me think. And you’re right. Twenty minutes a day isn’t enough to be spending with myson.”
Sarah brought our plates to us, and we both sat back to allow her the space to do that. I looked at the gorgeous plates, heaping with fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. “My goodness, Consuela, you certainly can come up with something that looks amazing very quickly. Thankyou.”
Gannon took a bite of his eggs and moaned. “So much better than the crap I grab on my way to work. Thanks,Consuela.”
“You two are more than welcome,” came herreply.
It was Friday, and I knew that meant Gannon would be out late. The breakfast was nice, but I wanted him to give Braiden more than breakfast and twenty minutes after work. “So, it’s Friday. Anyplans?”
“Many plans.” He bit into histoast.
I waited to see if he’d tell me about them, but he took a sip of coffee instead, prompting me to ask, “Wanna tell me aboutthem?”
“Sure do.” He gave me a grin that told me he was pretty happy with himself. “I’m taking off at lunch today. I want you to make some plans for us. Bonding things. Since I have no idea what kinds of things those are, you have carte blanche. Go crazy. I want to do something with Braiden. And I’m not going out tonight. Not at all this weekend. I want to get into the habit of putting my son first. Just like you saidto.”
“Oh, Gannon,” I exclaimed, barely preventing myself from hugging him. “That’s fantastic! I can pack him all up and get him ready for you. How about a trip to the zoo today? I’m sure he’s never been. That witch would never have done something like that for herbaby.”
He shook his head. “I’m sure she didn’t. But he’s not hers anymore. He’s mine. And, by default, yours. You have to come too, Brooke. You’re an important part of this little family.” He chuckled as he shook his head. “I never knew I even wanted a thing like this, but now that I have it, the idea is growing onme.”
It was growing on metoo.
Chapter11
Gannon
My mind couldn’t stayon work no matter how hard I tried. Just before lunch, I got a call from Brad. “Hey there, Gannon. Wanna dolunch?”
It took me a moment to answer, as I had no idea how to tell him that I was going to have lunch with his little sister and my son. There just didn’t seem to be a way I could find to put that out there that I saw him taking well. In the end, I had no real choice. “I’m taking Braiden to the zoo. I figure we’ll eatthere.”
“On your own?” came his surprisedquestion.
“No.” I chuckled. “Of course not. I still don’t know a damn thing about actually taking care of him. Brooke will go too. She is his babysitter. And she’s really good with him too. Thanks for lending her to me,” I decided to throw thatin.
After yanking off to her for a second time, I wasn’t sure how much my best buddy would see through me. I was nearly transparent to him at times. And I figured with his overprotective nature where his little sister was concerned, he’d be able to see right through me. I just couldn’t allow tohappen.
I couldn’t loseher.
“The weather today is great for a trip to the zoo.” He didn’t sound as if he was reading anything into it. I breathed out a silent sigh of relief. “Brooke loves the zoo too. Especially themonkeys.”
Without meaning to, I made a mental note to buy her a stuffed one while we were out that day. “Good, then she’ll have a good timetoo.”
“As long as you get her some ice cream she will.” He laughed. “I recall a certain trip to the zoo when she was about five, and we were on our way to the exit, leaving after a long day there. She saw the ice cream shop and wanted to get some. Dad wasn’t about to let anyone eat in his new car, so he told her she could have some at home. She threw the biggest fit any of us had everseen.”
“Noted. Get the babysitter ice cream to make sure she doesn’t throw a fit.” I laughed as I picked up my jacket, heading out the door. I was eager as hell to get home and get thingsgoing.
“Yeah, I’d hate to have her teach your little boy how to throw a real fit. Have fun man. Maybe we can meet up later tonight. I’m thinking Monaco’s for dinner, then clubbing.You?”
“Making a home night with the boy. You know, trying to make him the most important thing in my life. That’s what your sister says to do. I’ve never even thought about being a parent, so I’m following her sage advice.” Giving nods to Janine and several others who were in the reception area, I walked out the door and headed to theelevator.
“So she’s doing well, then?” heasked.
Pushing the down button, I waited for the elevator as I thought how to put it into words how well she was doing. I couldn’t help but gush. “Dude, she’s amazing with him. I swear she’s already falling in love with him. She looks at him with just as much adoration as I do. It’s crazy how fast she’s become completely devoted tohim.”
“She’s always been a real kid-lover. That’s why she wanted to make a career that has them at the core. Brooke’s a natural withkids.”
The elevator finally came up, and I stepped in amongst the other people who were heading to lunch. “That she is. Thanks again for letting me borrow her. I’ll talk to you later,bro.”
“Later.”
