Page 61 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
“Why don’t you go to the living room, so Alana can come in the house?” he said.
She took her jacket off and hung it up, then turned to follow Becca to the living room, the little girl dancing around the room in excitement.
“Come here while I sit in the chair to do your hair,” she said.
Becca skipped and stood in front of her. She brushed the long blonde locks, split the hair in half and started the French braid on one side.
“I’m going to check on dinner. Shouldn’t be much longer.”
She smiled at Brennan when he left the room, her eyes on his butt. She wasn’t sure the last time she thought of a man’s body as much as she’d been doing with her coworker.
“Daddy is making steak and French fries. I love steak and fries. Do you like steak?”
“Yes,” she said.
“And broccoli with cheese sauce because that is the only way I will eat it.”
“Wow,” she said, her fingers flying through Becca’s hair. “He is going all out with your favorites.”
“Daddy said you’d like it too.”
“I do.”
She tied off the first side of Becca’s hair and then shifted to do the other side.
“And then we’ve got cookies for dessert,” Becca said. “Yummy.”
“They are yummy,” she said.
Brennan came back into the living room. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Water is good,” she said. If it wasn’t for the kiss, she’d think he was being too formal. Unsure if his hesitation stemmed from fear of his daughter’s judgment, she mirrored his reserved demeanor.
Brennan returned with a glass full for her, then a minute later brought plates to the dining room.
She finished the second braid and patted them down.
“Daddy,” Becca yelled and took off running for the kitchen.
Alana stood and went to set the table. There was no reason for him to do all the work. That was ridiculous even if he’d said it was as a thank you for her caring for him.
She didn’t want a thank you dinner.
She wanted this to be more like a date.
Number four.
Pretty pathetic that three out of her four dates either included a three-year-old or her feeding medicine to someone.
When did her dating life become so pitiful?
She supposed having a dating life was already a step up from weeks ago, so she shouldn’t be judging.
“You don’t need to do that,” he said when she walked into the kitchen. He was pouring milk into a cup for Becca.
“I’ll take care of her and you finish dinner. I’m hungry and this will get it done faster.” She sent a wink hoping to loosen him up some.
He hesitated as if he didn’t believe her, but Becca grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dining room.
