Page 110 of A Legal Affair
Daniela looked around to see a handsome little boy clambering up into Brandon’s lap, giggling and wiggling as his father started tickling his ribs. They were carbon copies of each other. Same beautiful skin tone. Same melty dark eyes. Same irresistible dimples. Brandon Junior was going to be a heartbreaker like his daddy, cliché be damned.
“Wassup, buddy,” Caleb said fondly.
The little boy beamed at the computer screen. “Hi, Uncle Caleb!”
Daniela’s heart melted. Uncle Caleb? Too stinkin’ cute!
Caleb grinned. “How you been, little man? Ready for pre-kindergarten?”
“Yeah! It’s gonna be fun!”
“Atta boy. That’s the right attitude.”
“Say hello to Miss Daniela,” Brandon told his mini-me.
He waved at her. “Hiii.”
“Hi, Brandon Junior,” Daniela said warmly. “So you’re starting pre-K? Does that mean you’re four?”
“Three,” he crowed, holding up the appropriate number of fingers.
“Goodness, you’re a big boy.”
“Yup.” He nodded. “Grandma says I’m gonna be tall like my daddy, Uncle Beau and Grandpa.”
“I bet you are.” Daniela grinned. “Maybe even taller. How about that?”
She could tell he liked the sound of that, but he glanced back at his father as if seeking permission to entertain such a possibility.
Brandon shrugged, his eyes twinkling. “It could happen.”
His son turned back to Daniela with a cheek-splitting grin and boasted, “It could happen.”
Everyone laughed.
“Grandma says we’re having a big party on Monday,” the little boy announced.
Brandon sent an amused look at Caleb and Daniela. “It’s a cookout.”
His mini-me snickered. “Grandma doesn’t like that word. She says it’s too…too”—He scrunched up his face, trying to remember the specific term—“basic.”
Brandon did a facepalm.
Caleb and Daniela laughed. Gwen Chambers was notoriously bougie. Of course she’d never host something as ordinary as acookout.
“Are you coming to our party?” Brandon Junior asked Caleb.
“Not this time, little man. But I’ll see you soon.” Caleb smiled. “Where’s your baby sister?”
“Taking a nap with Mommy.” He pointed across the room to the open door. “Oh, there they go.”
“Hey, babe,” Brandon called over his broad shoulder. “Come here for a sec.”
A woman’s smoky voice could be heard in the background. Moments later Tamia Chambers came to stand beside her husband, a drowsing baby cradled against her shoulder. She was a strikingly beautiful woman with skin the color of caramel, sultry dark eyes, high cheekbones and naturally full lips. Even after birthing two children, her Coke-bottle curves poured intoyoga pants could still stop traffic. Her stylishly layered black hair hung past her shoulders and flattered her face, and her nails were perfectly manicured and painted a pale pink.
She looked thrilled to see Caleb. “Hey, handsome,” she cooed affectionately.
“Wassup, girl.” He grinned at her. “How’s life in DC treating you?”
