Her look is angelic. “What would that be?”
“Maybe hanging out with Theo and me? He doesn’t need to know you’re my girlfriend, but just so he can get used to you?” It’s the only logical move I can think of.
She kisses our connected hands. “Okay, that sounds like a plan… I’m your girlfriend?” Her look is cunning, and her brows raise.
My hand dives into her hair to pull her head to me. In a flash, my mouth claims her for a very needy and confirming kiss. I take command of her mouth, letting my tongue find hers for a lashing. Then my lips soften against her to create a lingering kiss. The type of kiss that fades into time because it feels like it could last forever.
But kisses weren’t meant for forever, they were meant for brief moments to remind you that the other person could be your forever.
Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but I can’t not think long-term when my son is involved. If it’s just sex then fine, the stakes are clear. But now I am taking a step with Abby, and I can only do that if I think in the long run.
I kiss the tip of her nose before she nuzzles into my neck and I hold her close.
“So, boyfriend. What’s on the agenda for the weekend?”
“Hmm. Something casual. I think I will have everyone over and then it’s simple, right?” Yeah, that makes sense. But I have to say that I am kind of nervous. This is all new terrain for me.
“Go easy, man. I know we’re having dinner, but with a child present, I don’t feel comfortable downing your vodka-infused drinks,” Leo warns Max who is mixing a drink on the kitchen counter.
Max shrugs a shoulder. “Come on. Only Lucas is on chaperone duty. We need to get some good drinks in before you head off to travel the world, Leo.”
“You’re still doing that?” I ask Leo. He is planning to travel for a few months, handle business abroad, do whatever the hell a rich bachelor without responsibilities does.
“I am, and don’t worry, I will come back,” he reassures us as he opens a bottle of beer.
I’m busy tossing a salad and double-check into the living room where Theo is watching Paw Patrol. I picked him up at four and got him settled when we got home.
Jess comes walking into the kitchen, she must have let herself in at the front door.
“I brought dessert.” She smiles as she sets a box on the counter. “Your g-i-r-l friend is outside. Something tells me she’s kind of nervous.” She doesn’t say girlfriend in case Theo hears.
I look up at Jess and stop mixing the salad. The guys look at me. This is probably my cue to go check on her.
Leo motions his head to the door.
“Have a quickie, it calms the nerves,” Max offers his advice.
“Have to agree—sound advice,” Leo adds.
Jess groans. “Max. Is there ever a situation where your advice isn’t related to sex?”
“What’s sex?” Theo asks as he runs into the kitchen.
Okay, this minute is quickly swallowing me whole.
Jess curses under her breath. “Forgot we have a young one present,” she mutters.
“Huh, Daddy? What is it?” Theo puts his hands out in question.
“Yeah, Daddy. Tell us.” Leo grins as he drinks from his bottle.
Thankfully, I am saved by the sound of paws running across my new shiny floor. Not sure if I should be pissed that my new floor is taking a beating or thank the dog as in this moment my son’s eyes light up and his face beams. Most of all, he is distracted from the question he just asked.
“Settle down, Romeo,” Abby calls out as she walks in behind Romeo. The dog has managed to squirm his way into visits at my place so his owner can enjoy my tongue and dick all through the night and into the wee hours of the morning.
Abby gives me a nervous smile and bats her lashes. I want so desperately to pull her into a hug and kiss, but Theo is right here and that would confuse him.
I wink at her, before joining Theo who is hugging Romeo. “Hey, kiddo. Romeo thought he would come and visit you this weekend. Would you like that?”
Theo looks up at me and nods as he squeals in joy. Within two minutes Romeo and Theo are playing together in the living room.
Finally, when Theo isn’t looking, I manage to grab Abby’s hand while we stand behind the counter. I lean into Abby to whisper, “You okay?” I squeeze her hand wanting to re-assure her.
She tilts her head gently in my direction. “Yeah… seems like Theo only cares about Romeo.” Abby gives me a half-smile.
“It’s a win.”
A few minutes later, we’re all sitting and eating around my dining table.
“The new furniture is nice. Seems very durable for certain activities,” Leo flashes me a knowing look because he most definitely has a crass thought in his head.
“Yes, it is very durable for activities that are hard and good,” Abby offers with a closed-lip smile before placing a helping of salad on her plate. She surprises me with her feisty wit, I love it.
“Ah, so Lucas can deliver,” Leo comments as he leans back in his chair.
I throw a piece of garlic bread at Leo and it makes Theo’s head pop up with a cheeky grin. I’m not setting great examples today.
Theo speaks with his mouth full, oblivious to our conversation. “Can Romeo sleep in my room?” Theo asks.
I look at Abby awkwardly. “Well, Romeo doesn’t live here. He has his own home.”
Geez, Theo looks like I just told him Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy all died in a car crash. This look will haunt me.
Abby catches on and jumps in. She angles her body to look at Theo on the same height. “But you know what? Romeo would love a sleepover. I can come back for him tomorrow,” Abby offers and looks up at me with hope she’s helping the situation.
“Yay,” Theo bounces in his seat. His attention span quickly turns to something else. “What’s this?” Theo is curious as he points to Abby’s wrist with a bandage. Someone’s chihuahua went a little crazy the other day and Abby was on the receiving end. This time she phoned me, and I fixed her up after a thorough full-body examination.
“Just a little owie from saving animals,” Abby explains as she looks at Theo.
“Oh. You should ask my daddy to look at it. He’s a doctor,” Theo mentions proudly which melts my heart.
“I know,” Abby answers with a smile.
“He can give you a check-up,” Theo adds.
Jess’s smile is coy. “I think your daddy gives a lot of check-ups to Abby.”
All the adults start to laugh. Max and Leo are laughing so hard they have to hide their grins by drinking from their drinks. Abby shakes her head in amusement.
“Anyhow, are you done eating, kiddo?” I move us along.
Theo nods and then scurries out of his chair. He runs to Romeo who’s lying on the kitchen floor.
“He is such a little cutie,” Jess mentions as she pours another glass of wine.
“That kid is going to break hearts, but I am not going over to the dark side of parenthood yet,” Max comments.
“Where is Nate, by the way?” Leo asks as he types something into his phone.
I throw my napkin onto my plate. “Busy. He’ll come tomorrow to see Theo. Might be hungover, but he never misses time with Theo.”