Page 10 of Painting Together a Family
“Oh man, really? How do you work that out? ’Cause they’re like diametrically opposed. And really? A kid who only wants chicken and broccoli?”
“She’s fourteen, a dancer, and obsessed with her body image. She’s worried about having boobs and hips.”
“Doesn’t that come with the territory?” Bryan asked. “I’m so glad I have boys. I wouldn’t know what to think if I had girls.”
“I ended up with two, and it’s been wild and wonderful. I’ve survived one first period, one first leg shaving, and learning how to braid hair for class.”
“That’s impressive!” Bryan didn’t look like he was making fun of him. “And my youngest wanted nothing but hot dogs for a year and a half. Which I was grateful for as that was our first year and a half after you know who left us high and dry. Damn, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring him back up.”
“It’s okay. Seriously. Look, we’re going to order out for supper, would you like to stay? And if not, would you like to come over tomorrow evening with your boys? It’s a Friday…”
Bryan glanced at his watch. “Actually, I have to go pick them up soon, so tomorrow would work way better. Thanks so much for the offer. The boys will love to see people who live in an apartment.”
“Do you have a house in town, then?” He’d never thought about getting one, not really.
“It’s a duplex. We live on the ground floor and the owners live above us. I think they took pity on us because I got an amazing rent.”
“Oh, that’s good. I love to hear that.” He wasn’t going to mention that he owned this floor. All six bedrooms of it. Not to mention the studio space upstairs and the rooftop garden. He’d recovered from Grant stealing everything he could get his hands on, built everything back. But then he’d had longer than Bryan had so far.
“They’re awesome. Portuguese. I think they’ve all but adopted us. Mrs. Rosa brings us down supper at least once a week.”
“Oh, that’s amazing.” He’d had a housekeeper, but she’d retired recently, so he was hunting another. Someone who could cook so he could feed the girls a homemade meal now and then.
“Yeah, there’s been enough angels in our lives that I’m not entirely soured by the whole thing. I should head off, though, collect my boys. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” Bryan thrust out a hand.
“Of course. Oh! Wait, can I share my details? So we can text?”
“Good idea.” Bryan took out his phone and passed it over, watched as he put in his number, the address, and his and the girls’ names.
Then Bryan texted him with, “Hey, it’s Bry.”
He chuckled and texted back. “Hi, Bry. It’s Dev.”
Bryan grinned at him and reached out, shook his hand. “I’m glad to have met you, Dev. The circumstances kind of suck, but it’s how we go from here that counts, right?”
“That’s it. We’ll see you tomorrow. We can order when you get here.”
“Sounds good. Say five?”
“We’ll be here. I’ll have your name at security.” Which was how it was supposed to work. Strangers couldn’t just go wherever the fuck they wanted. Of course, the reporter may have talked whoever was on duty to let them up. He was going to have to report the issue and make sure it didn’t happen again.
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.” Bryan headed out, and Dev closed the door behind a very cute ass.
“He was nice, huh?” Marley said.
“He seems to be, yeah.”
“Too many homework questions,” Juni informed him, crossing her arms. “Are we having supper soon?”
“Yep. I told them to deliver it for six so it shouldn’t be long now.” One day, he’d hire another person to cook.
Until then, he’d continue to order.
CHAPTER THREE
Bryan did not sigh. Instead, he counted to five and answered Micah’s one thousandth question of the day. Everything was why and how come and from each answer sprang two more questions. He’d had issues chasing down payment from one of his clients this morning, and that made it feel like it had been a really long day, and the constant questions were making it longer.
“Where are we going?” Micah asked for about the eighth time.
