Page 44 of Ever With Me

“Kayla’s back home. She had to go in to work yesterday, so I’m watching Audrey for the week.”

He was taking care of his niece for an entire week? Somehow, she didn’t picture Brooks as the child-friendly type. Still, she didn’t want to get off-topic with that. “But why don’t you take her to the park, then?”

“I wasn’t planning on sending you off on your own with her. But since my car is in the shop and you know where the playgrounds are, consider yourself my guide. Also, I want to go by that mechanic’s. He told me he closes at five, so I want to get there as close to closing as possible.”

She gawked at him.His guide?“Haven’t you ever heard of rental car companies and GPS?”

“Nope, never.” He smiled with perfectly white teeth. “But I have heard of a certain woman who owes me nine hours and ten minutes of her time.”

She stepped closer, pointing her finger at his chest, right in the center. “Eight hours and twenty minutes. I’m charging you driving time.”

His eyes narrowed. “Maybe you should keep a log.”

“Why, you don’t trust me?” God, he was so close that she could smell his aftershave. Tempted to inhale deeply, breathe in the masculine scent radiating from his skin, she held her ground and set her shoulders back.

“Nope.”

Maybe it was just her, but a current of electricity seemed to pulse between them, charging the atmosphere.Maddening prick.

Those sexy forearms were too close to ignore now. What would it be like to run her fingers against them, feel the soft dark hair, the tightly corded muscle underneath? Her gaze traveled to his throat, where she swore she could see his pulse beating as hard as her own heart sounded in her ears.

“We go now?” Audrey seemed to materialize beside them. Telltale red stained her lips, but how in the hell had she eaten the whole popsicle that fast?

Maddie stepped back. “Yup.” She took a step forward, then stopped. “Shoot, though. I don’t have a car seat.”

“Dammit.” Brooks swore in a low voice. “Kayla put it in Cormac’s car.”

“Why don’t we just call him? Ask him to bring it back here?”

“I’ll try.” Brooks slid his phone out of his pocket, then dialed.

He has surprisingly long lashes.She looked away. Any admiration—physical or not—on her part was foolish.

A moment later, Brooks shook his head and hung up. “Voicemail. I’ll shoot him a text in the meantime.”

“Can we gooooo?” Audrey asked, clearly not understanding the situation.

“Is there anywhere close by that sells car seats?” Brooks asked.

“Yeah, there’s a Walmart about twenty minutes away. But I’m not taking her there without a seat.”

“I wasn’t asking you to. Kayla would kill me. Hell, I’d be mad at me.” Brooks pulled out his wallet and held out a credit card. “Could you go buy one for me and then come pick us up?”

She took the credit card from him, her palm slick. Why did this make her feel so nervous? “I reallyamyour errand girl, aren’t I? Which one do you want?”

“Hang on, I’ll check the safety ratings on the ones they have in stock.” Brooks was on his phone again in an instant. He flicked his gaze over the edge at her. “Make yourself at home in the meantime.”

Safety ratings? Who the hell even are you, Brooks Kent?

And why was it ridiculously endearing?

Audrey watched Maddie with a frown. “Can I have mac and cheese?”

“From the store or from your fridge?” Maddie asked.

“Store. I don’t have any mac and cheese,” Brooks answered tonelessly without looking up.

“And hot dogs!” Audrey gave an exaggerated smile, then swiped her red mouth.

---