Page 25 of Treasured
“One day at a time.”
She sipped her coffee, and when she finished, she said, “Right. Work. I guess I have to go to that.”
We both ate and drank a little of our breakfast as Bruce played with his toys. A minute later, her phone beeped, but we both ignored it until she had finished her plate. I stood up and retrieved it for her, and once I returned, I said, “You have a message.”
She wrapped her hands around the plates and took the phone between her fingers while she cleaned up. I took over to wash everything fast and she let the plates go and said, “Oh. Thanks.”
I added soap to the sponge, wet all the dishes, and as I scrubbed, I saw her scowl and how she then massaged her temples. I turned the water on to wash the few dishes and asked, “What’s wrong?”
She walked over to me and dried everything with a towel while she said, “Day care. It’s closed. I hate taking him to the shelter as sometimes the women start comparing their own children to him, and Bruce is doing well. I don’t want to make women just finding their strength sad.”
We finished the chore, and I bumped into her side playfully. “I can take him with me if you want.”
Her eyes widened like she was in shock. “Really? I can call my cousins and try to find someone.”
I smiled and said, “Don’t worry about it. I am meeting my brother’s ex for coffee to finalize the tour times and going for a run in the park. My mother will then want a full report, but other than that, my day is pretty empty.”
“Where for coffee?”
“Same place I met you.”
“That’s public enough.” Her blush extended all over her body as she asked, “You’re sure?”
I leaned against the kitchen counter. “Yes. I’ll protect him with my life.”
She shook her head, and she didn’t meet my gaze as she said, “I’m nervous about leaving Bruce.”
I took her hands and kissed her knuckles. “Up to you. No pressure. Just wanted to offer.”
She swallowed and pressed her tiny hands into mine. “I… trust you. Will you keep your phone on and message me every hour?”
If she let me, it would be like I had won a small victory into her heart. “Absolutely, but twelve thirty to one thirty is lunch with Wanda.”
“Okay, I’ll pack you a diaper bag.” She went on her tiptoes, squeezed me, and let me go. I watched from the door as she put diapers, wipes, an extra change of clothes, his jacket, shoes, and fresh clothes out. Then she placed her items in the living room and marched past me in the kitchen to the refrigerator and poured more milk into bottles. Once she finished, she put them on a shelf and showed me the ice pack and a bag that kept cold. I nodded, and she said, “Well, I can get off early. Say, three?”
Lugging all her items might double the workout routine, but I ignored that and said, “Amazing. We can do something as a group then.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and returned to Bruce as she said, “Like what?”
Mary and Bruce needed fun, and I could handle that. “I’ll surprise you.”
Her lips pinched together. “I never liked surprises much,” she said.
From what I’d heard so far, she had only received bad ones. “You’ll enjoy mine,” I said.
She kissed her son’s cheek. “Since it includes Bruce, I will.”
I helped her stand up, and I ran my fingers along her side. “So, your trusting me is a step in the right direction for what I want.”
“Don’t read more into it.” She went on her tiptoes and hugged me. “I let you in the door, but don’t push me.”
I cupped her sexy ass to keep her pressed against me and said, “I won’t let you down.”
She lowered her lashes. “Then okay. We have a three o’clock date.”
Our lips met, and she tasted sweeter than ice cream on a warm day. As our kiss ended, I said, “You’ll see soon that you want more.”
“You don’t give up.” She let me go and then pointed to a hook on the wall. “There is a key.” She then opened a closet door and tugged out a heavy-looking seat. “Do you know how to use a car seat?”
