Page 21 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
“I hope she doesn’t, but if she does I’ll let her down nicely. I don’t want to make it awkward at the pre-K pickup.”
But it wasn’t as if it was the first time he’d had awkward situations around women.
“What was so horrible about it? She obviously has a daughter Becca’s age, so likes kids.”
He snorted. “I’m not so sure how much she likes them when she talked about trying to get away from them so much or whyher ex-husband couldn’t take them more so she could have a life too.”
“Nope. She’s not the one.”
“Exactly. Been there and done that with a woman.”
“So Celia is out. What’s the little girl’s name so I’ll know when I get Becca from pre-K and can make sure I don’t put my foot in my mouth?”
“You never do,” he said. “But it’s Polly.”
“Before you take off on me, tell me about this Alana that you work with. Is she married, older, younger? Someone who has a crush on you and is using your daughter to get to you?”
“Hardly that,” he said. The crush part he wouldn’t mind, but he would never think Alana would use anyone. Not someone who spent her free time giving back to the community. “I think she’s single. It’s not a conversation I’ve had. Age, younger than me, but not sure by how much. She’s always been friendly at work. Becca had a blast with her.”
“Her new friend?”
“So it seems.”
“What do you think of her?” His mother was wiggling her eyebrows.
“I need to run and get ready for a call. I should be out on time.”
“Have a good day.”
He left to his mother’s laughter. She got more out of him than she normally did and he wasn’t sure why he’d said as much as he had.
He could have just said the date was fine and left it at that, but he’d opened the door for more questions.
When he arrived at the office ten minutes later, he saw Alana getting out of her SUV in the parking lot and pulled next to her.
Rather than walk in, she waited. Exactly what he’d hoped for.
“Morning,” he said. “Thanks again for last night. You were true to your word and wore her out. She was sleeping when I returned to her room.”
Alana smiled, her brown hair blowing around in the early December breeze. Her eyes were almost blue with the jacket she had on. He found himself looking into them more to see what color they might change to.
“Sounds like a good night all around for you.”
“It was better when I got home,” he said, testing the waters.
“Sorry about that,” she said. Nothing more. Just kept walking.
He reached for the door ahead of her and pulled it open. Kelsey was standing outside the door waiting for them both with her jacket on, her bag on her shoulder, and a box of donuts in her hand.
“I’ve got sweets,” Kelsey said, holding it up. “Frankie got me up early this morning needing to poo and Van wouldn’t get out of bed to do it. He said it was my fault for giving my baby beef last night. He was right. I know the end results. Out the end it comes. So with that is sugar to keep me awake.”
“Thanks for the added details,” Alana said. “Now I’m not sure I want a donut.”
“Just don’t take the chocolate-covered one and you’ll be fine.”
Brennan took the box out of Kelsey’s hand. “I’ll bring them back before I lose my appetite.”
Or have to stand next to Alana any longer and have his ego stomped on.
