so annoying.” Then she ran away again.
“She’s just like you were at that age, you know,” Madeline said. “Intense.”
Dakota came back into the kitchen and heard what my sister said. “Was he a serious little grump even at eight?” she asked.
Madeline laughed and handed Dakota a glass of sweet tea. “Yes.”
“No,” I said. “I was just obsessed with football.”
“Then I guess nothing has changed.”
“I’ve got a few more interests now.” I gave Dakota a look, one I knew she would recognize. I wanted her. Her little striptease before her shower was still on my mind.
Her eyes widened. “Well. It’s always good to expand your horizons.” Her voice was low, a little husky.
“I feel like I should leave you two alone,” Madeline said. “Good lawd, it’s hot in here.”
It was. I took the sweet tea from Dakota’s hand and swallowed half of it in one gulp.
“Hey! You owe me for that,” she said.
I gave her a sly smile. “I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“Oh, lawd,” was Madeline’s opinion.
Aside from the heat, Texas was a blast. Brandon was discreet in front of all the kids, but he wasn’t really pretending in front of his sister and brother-in-law. It was clear they knew we were not just boss-employee and I wasn’t sure why he was being so open about it.
We spent Saturday hanging out, having a cookout and swimming in their lavish pool. It had been years since I’d gone swimming and it felt amazing to jump into that cool water and escape the heat. Brandon had told me we would probably be swimming, so I had bought what I thought was a fairly modest two piece, but it was clear the second I walked outside, his youngest nephew, Jonas, had a crush on me. His eyes were on me the entire time.
The neighbors had come over and it was a chill afternoon of talking and laughter. It was a nice escape from the pace of New York. Suburban life definitely had its advantages. I enjoyed watching Brandon unwind and relax with his family. He was a good uncle, and he spent an hour tossing neighborhood kids into the pool as they begged him to repeat it over and over. He was always patient and even the freaking dog loved him, trotting behind Brandon and laying her head in his lap when he sat in a patio chair.
I can’t say I blamed the dog. I looked at Brandon and I felt moony-eyed myself.
“She’s adorable,” I told the neighbor, Janelle, who was swaying with her three-month-old in her arms.
“Do you want to hold her?” she asked. “My arms could use the rest.”
“I’d love to. Two of my girlfriends have kids but they’re in the wiggle worm stage already. I don’t get to hold babies very often.”
“But aren’t you a nanny?” she asked. I accepted the baby when she held her out to me.
“I specialize in Willow and Poppy, that’s it.” The weight of the baby's warm little body felt good in my arms. “She’s staring at me. Oh my God, she’s amazing.” Her little brown eyes blinked up at me, then she gave a small gummy smile. “What’s her name?”
“Angelina.”
“Hi, Angelina,” I said, cooing at her. “Aren’t you just the smartest, coolest, kick butt little baby?”
Janelle laughed. “I think so, but I guess I’m biased.”
“She definitely is,” I said, falling a little in love with Angelina.
I felt eyes on me and I saw Brandon was watching me, a serious expression on his face. But then he just gave me a smile and winked.
After dinner, we left the girls in the care of their cousins and went out to a bar that hosted line dancing every Saturday. I was super excited to try it.
“I feel like I’m on a set for a video,” I said, as we got out of the car. “This is a real Texas roadhouse. I love everything about what is happening right now.”
“You definitely dressed the part,” Brandon said, gesturing to my outfit.
I was wearing tight denim shorts, and a plaid shirt that tied off at the midriff. I had gone with Madeline to the store and bought myself a pair of cowboy boots. I had no idea what I was going to do with them once I got home, but this was just too good to pass up. Brandon was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. He had refused Chris’s offer to loan him boots.
“Don’t be jealous of how perfect I fit in.”
“I don’t actually think you fit in at all,”