Page 28 of Pucked Up Plans
A child’s laugh is a sound I never tire of, even when it’s not my kid.
“You want to follow me?” I suggest, needing a reprieve from being this near to Walsh, short as it may be.
“Yep.”
Aubrey in my arms, I turn away from him and head to my car.
This will definitely be an interesting afternoon.
CHAPTER 9
WALSH
Lennon’s enthusiasm for going to Aubrey’s house overrides her exhaustion. Because she’s tired. We stayed at the rink for over three hours last night, and she loved every minute, even when she wasn’t on the ice. I thought she’d pass out on the way home, but the thrill of her playdate kept her awake. And she woke up super early this morning in anticipation.
Lennon yawns from the back seat. “Len, you tired?”
“Nope. Don’t need a nap. Just lunch and TV.”
“Yeah, okay girl,” I mutter so she can’t hear me.
Luckily, Tate’s place is nearby the preschool, not giving her a chance to fall asleep. I wouldn’t be surprised if she falls asleep while watching the show, and if not then, on the way home. She’ll be with my parents since I have practice, so I make a mental note to keep the playdate short if needed.
I park in a Visitor’s spot, a few away from Tate’s in front of her building. Lennon’s already unbuckled by the time I get around to her door.
“Was the engine off?” I ask sternly.
“Of course.” She refrains from rolling her eyes.
It’s a discussion we’ve had several times. When she first learned to unbuckle her seat, she liked to do it while we were driving. A jaunt to the police station and a lecture from a police officer drilled the rule into her head. She’s pretty good these days, but when she’s excited about something, she often forgets.
“Love you, Squirt.”
“Duh, Keeley. Tell me something I don’t know.” This time, her blue eyes roll.
“I got you a surprise from Crisp & Crunch.” We don’t go there often, so when we do, it’s a treat.
She lights up. “It’s a brownie, right? You got me a brownie?”
“You’ll have to wait and see. After you eat your lunch. And you’ll have to share with Aubrey if she wants some. Because that’s what we do when we eat meals with friends.”
“Tate’s so pretty.”
Her comment comes out of left field, and I’m stunned into silence at the delivery of it.
Especially as it doesn’t relate one iota to what we’re talking about.
Regaining my composure and my wits, my eyes travel toward the woman in question. “Yes. Yes, she is.” I can’t help how my lips quirk up at the mere sight of her. Not since before Meg and I got involved have I felt something akin to this toward a woman.
Shit.
These feelings are not okay to have about Tate. She’s a parent of Lennon’s friend.
Explain that to my cock.
“Keeley?” Lennon’s voice pulls me out of the stupor I find myself in.
“Yep.” I don’t even know if she asked me something, but I can’t let her see me sweat. Metaphorical or not.
