Page 15 of Foster

His tone is almost… accusing. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean… single professional hockey player and you swooping in to be mother to his child.”

I kick Leo under the table again, this time not playfully, and he winces, sitting up straighter in his chair. “You better not be inferring what I think you’re inferring,” I warn.

“And what might that be?” he grumbles, bending over to rub at his leg.

“That I’m looking to score a rich husband or something like that,” I snap.

Leo’s eyes widen and he shakes his head, words sharp as a knife. “Fuck no, Mazz. I’m worried about him taking advantage of you.”

“What?” I exclaim. “No. That’s silly. Foster’s a nice guy and—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. They’re all nice guys. I’ve heard it before. But I also know how men react around you—”

“You’re crazy! Men don’t react around me—”

“Men trip over themselves around you and you know it,” he accuses. “You’re gorgeous, smart, talented and then you add on that you’re going to be nurturing and caring for his kid, well, that’s a recipe for him wanting to get in your pants.”

“Jesus, Leo… did you hit your head or something? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Leo shrugs but before he can answer, the kitchen door opens and Brian steps out, followed by his wife. Brian has the platter of fried chicken and Susan has a bowl of fresh pickled cucumbers and Vidalia onions.

But not the Vidalia onions that grow in Georgia. The Pittsburgh grocery stores don’t have the good ones. I can practically hear my mom praising one of the finest products of her southern home. “We grow Vidalia onions so sweet you can pull them out of the ground and eat them like an apple.”

Next, Tim comes out with a pan of mac and cheese, Mandy with the biscuits, and my dad with the collards. Landon and Mason follow, one with a bowl of white gravy and the other with hot vinegar sauce for the greens.

The food is set along the center of the table, and everyone moves back and forth through the kitchen, grabbing their own drinks. Lastly, my mom comes out after checking to make sure nothing’s been left behind. As everyone takes their chairs with no particular hierarchy of where we sit, Mom fusses with the placement of all the bowls and ensures each dish has a spoon.

When we’re all settled in our seats, there’s no passing of the food because the platters and bowls are just too heavy. Instead, plates are passed back and forth across the table and whoever is nearest the fried chicken uses the tongs to fulfill the request. Whoever is nearest the mac and cheese will dollop out a scoop and hand the plate off to someone else.

It’s disorganized and chaotic and utterly perfect as we all laugh and chatter at the same time.

Leo’s engaged with Landon about Gran Turismo and as I watch them, I’m still peeved about his assertion that Foster will try to take advantage of the situation. It’s preposterous for him to assume that without even knowing the guy.

Except… I don’t know him either.

But that’s beside the point. The Hamberlys vetted Foster, just as he vetted me. He’s an upstanding guy with the backing of Brienne Norcross. We didn’t talk long but I got no weird vibes from him. I had more concerns about the other father.

I made a good choice and I’m irritated that Leo is making me doubt it.

What does he know anyway? Ludicrous assertions about guys tripping over themselves to be near me. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be twenty-seven and solidly single. For all the supposed men attracted to me, I haven’t even been invited on a date in… well, I don’t know how long. There’s nothing special about me that lures men to my doorstep.

Leo’s lost his mind.

CHAPTER 6

Foster

Given the emergency nature of our custody dispute and the parties living on opposite sides of the United States, the Allegheny judge assigned to the case set up the hearing to be held via Zoom. This is apparently done in many court cases for expediency and to save on travel.

I’m sitting in a conference room at my attorney’s office. Brienne had me hire Jared Cole because he’s made quite the reputation for himself by championing single dads seeking full custody. The historical stereotype that only mothers can care for their kids is quite the barrier to many men and Jared, a single dad himself, is ruthlessly dedicated to the cause.

However, he doesn’t just take any case. He actually vetted me when I first called him, as he wanted to make sure I was the best choice for Bowie Jane in these particular circumstances. I respect that.

We’re sitting side by side, his laptop before us, and the Zoom session initiated. He’s chosen to keep the camera and sound off until the judge enters, so we don’t have to stare awkwardly at Sandra and her attorney, an older man with a bow tie and black-rimmed glasses.

Unlike us, they’ve kept their camera on, and even with their sound muted, it’s clear Sandra is peeved to be sitting here. She keeps checking her watch and while I can’t hear what she says, there’s irritation on her face when she asks her attorney something. She doesn’t seem to like his answer either.

---