Page 25 of Stuck with Mr. Grump

Anika sees a friend of hers around the same time I spot the little boy. She asks for a minute while I continue staring at the kid, realizing he must be who Sterling’s searching for.

“Hey there,” I say gently to Sean, approaching him. “Are you okay?”

He looks up at me, green eyes soft. “I’m hiding from my dad.”

“Why?”

“Because,” he says on a shrug.

I’m sure to a five-year-old, simply answering “because” might cut it. But that’s not happening. I crouch down so we’re eye level.

“I think your dad’s already looking for you, Sean,” I say softly. “Why did you feel the need to hide?”

He shrugs, “I just didn’t like being in there anymore. I made my dad bring me but I didn’t like it so I left.”

“Without telling him?” I prod gently.

He seems to realize that he made a mistake because his eyes grow wide.

“Do you think he’ll be mad?”

“No.” I shake my head, taking a deep breath. “I think he’ll be really glad to have found you. Let’s go see him now, okay?”

Taking his hand, I help him navigate through the departing crowd. I spot Sterling near the entrance, his expression a mix of worry and frustration.

“Harrington,” I call out, approaching him.

He turns, surprise flickering across his face. It turns to relief when he sees the little boy at my side.

“I believe this belongs to you,” I say, gently nudging Sean forward.

Sterling’s face softens with relief. “I was worried sick, Sean.”

He looks down, shuffling his feet. “Sorry, Dad.”

Sterling crouches down and pulls him into a hug. “Just don’t wander off like that again, okay?”

I feel like I’m having whiplash right now, because he’s so soft with him. Compared to the energy he projects to the rest of the world, there’s something incredibly heartwarming about the way he treats his son. It makes him seem so human. Which is the last thing I need right now.

I need to see him like a bug so I can squash him.

He looks up at me, his eyes meeting mine. The stare lingers for a bit before he slowly rises to his feet, holding Sean’s hand tight in his.

“I got distracted reading an email on my phone and in the next minute he was gone,” he says to me.

“Didn’t ask for an explanation, Harrington,” I mutter, looking around awkwardly.

“But you do have my thanks,” he states. “I appreciate you bringing Sean back to me.”

“You’re welcome.” Do my ears deceive me or are we actually having a civil conversation?

“We’ll go now,” Sterling informs me. “Tell her goodbye, Sean.”

“Bye, pretty lady,” he says enthusiastically with a small wave.

“Her name’s Emilia,” Sterling grits out, making me laugh.

“Bye, Emilia,” Sean switches.

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