That’s Thayden. There’s something I have to admire, at least a little, about his willingness to throw himself in traffic, still smiling.
I unceremoniously dump the disgusting black T-shirt into the trash. It could be washed, but I’d just as soon buy a new one. Gavin smiles, and I narrow my eyes at him, though I’m not angry. It was more than satisfying to drench him with the hose. He’s changed as well, looking as good as I’ve ever seen him in a fitted gray T-shirt and worn jeans with boots.
“Great to see you again too, Zoey,” Thayden says with a grin.
That stupid dimple won’t work on me, buddy.
Gavin shuffles a small stack of legal documents that cover the kitchen table. “Thayden is my lawyer.”
“Right.”
“Lawyer and most handsome friend,” Thayden says.
I arch an eyebrow at Thayden, who only chuckles. “Where’s Ella?” I ask.
Gavin’s eyes go soft, and so does my heart. Look at me, letting all my feelings go free. Buttoned up Zoey took a hike several days ago. Shockingly, I don’t miss her that much. Of course, that means I fully expect to pay the price by way of a broken heart. For now, I’m just trying to enjoy the moment and not think too far in the future.
“One of the goats just gave birth in the back barn,” Gavin says. “Mama, Nancy, and Patty took Ella to see.”
“Baby goats!” I practically squeal.
Gavin chuckles. “You can join them now, or I’ll take you out to see in a few minutes, if you want to wait.”
“I’d like that. What’s happening here? Are you discussing custody?”
“A perceptive woman,” Thayden says. “Brains to go along with her—”
“Yes,” Gavin interrupts, and I swear a flush is creeping over his neck. He shoots Thayden a glare. I’m trying to figure out how these two are possibly friends.
“I was going to say beauty,” Thayden says, holding up his hands.
“Let’s stick to the discussion at hand,” Gavin practically growls.
Is he … jealous? The thought thrills me.
Gavin stands, pulling out a chair and then tucking me into the table as though we’re having dinner at a fancy restaurant, not discussing legal matters at the kitchen table. When his fingers trail across the exposed skin above the neck of my blouse, I barely hold back a shudder. Thayden doesn’t miss a thing and looks every bit as amused as he did after Delilah punched him in the stomach. I’m tempted to do the same when I get a chance.
“When did you get here?” I ask Thayden, curious about his sudden presence.
“I flew. I have my pilot’s license, and I commandeered Daddy’s plane.”
I shouldn’t be surprised that his family has a plane, given the expensive car he drove the day I met him. Maybe the surprising thing is his loyalty to Gavin. Couldn't this have waited until tomorrow when we get back to Austin?
Gavin shakes his head. “Does your dad know you took the plane?”
“He’ll figure it out. Don’t worry about me. Let’s worry about you.”
Thayden’s playful tone turns serious, and I cross my arms, more than a little curious how this will go. I don’t know much about family law, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel invested in Ella’s future. Mostly, in making sure she doesn’t go back with Eleanor. Gavin may not have been prepared to be a father, but based on everything I’ve seen, he’ll do a much better job than whatever Eleanor has done. Which hasn’t been good, based on my interactions with Ella.
Thayden is surprisingly compassionate and intuitive, giving suggestions that surprise me. He’s clearly good at his job, and more than that, he seems to care. About Gavin and Ella.
“I think it would be best to hire a private investigator,” Thayden says. “You need to know what Eleanor is up to, and what she has been up to. No surprises.”
“Do you have someone in mind?” Gavin asks.
Thayden pulls out his phone and sends a brief text. “Yes. Expensive but totally worth it. I just messaged him.”
“Great. You know I don’t care about the money. What else?”
Gavin is back in his alpha work mode, and I love watching his serious eyes and the tic in his jaw. It’s even more attractive because they’re talking about Ella. He’s not just in business mode. He’s morphed into protective dad mode. I recognize it because I’ve seen it so often in my own father.
Ugh. I don’t need the reminder of my dad when thinking about Gavin. It makes all my insecurities about the age