Love and Secrets - Kit Morgan Page 0,19
memory.”
“Thanks.” Her cheeks heated. She hadn’t stood this close to him before. He was a lot taller than she remembered and for the first time since seeing him again, she realized how much he’d filled out. Standing this close, she was becoming aware of all sorts of changes. Was he aware of her?
He cleared his throat, stepped away and pulled his wallet out of his jeans pocket. “I’ll give you some money.”
“You will not!” she said and shook a finger at him. “Don’t you dare take money out of that wallet.”
“Holly, I owe you.”
“No, you don’t.”
He waved the wallet toward Sophie. “Yes, I do.”
She gave him a mischievous smile. “How about you remember that after I dress her?” She waggled her eyebrows.
His eyes rounded to saucers. “Am I going to regret letting you?”
“Not at all. But you being a man, you might not want to take her out in public after I dress her up.”
“And you will?”
“Of course. I’d take her anywhere!”
He laughed, took some money out of his wallet, and put it in her hand. “Here, this is in case I’m so shocked I don’t want you near her anymore.”
Her jaw dropped. “Zane Brody! She’ll look fabulous!”
He pointed at her. “Your idea about that and mine are going to be two different things.”
“And I suppose you’re going to dress her up in a cowgirl outfit, boots and a hat?”
“No. I’m afraid my cowboy days are over.” He looked at the sleeping baby and smiled. “I guess babies are fun to dress. I wasn’t very good at picking things out at first, but I don’t do too bad now, do I?”
“Well… for an amateur…” Holly drawled.
He laughed again. “Thanks, Holly. You’ve been a lifesaver.”
“I only watched her this once. And will again if you need me.”
He nodded. “How about tomorrow?”
“Sure. Same time?”
“I’ll check with my parents, but I’m thinking yes.”
Sophie stirred and made a few cooing sounds, then settled into sleep again.
“I better get our food,” Holly said in a quiet voice. “Before we wake her up.”
Zane looked into her eyes a moment. “Has she been asleep along?”
“About twenty minutes.”
He was still looking into her eyes when he swallowed hard and stepped toward the door. Was she making him nervous? “She’ll probably be awake by the time you come back with the food.”
“Good. I’d love to play with her some more,” she said and joined him at the door. This time she looked into his eyes, just to see what he would do.
They gazed at each other for a moment or two before he took a step back, breaking the spell. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
Holly nodded and went out the door. She was playing with fire looking at him like that. “Don’t do it,” she muttered to herself as she crossed the parking lot. “Don’t you go there. You’re on dangerous ground, Kupiec. You’re just asking for trouble.”
Holly got into her car, started it, then looked at the door to Zane’s room in her rearview mirror. Her heart was thundering in her chest and her belly was doing all sorts of flip-flops. If spending time with baby Sophie and a few minutes with Zane did this to her, what was going to happen tomorrow?
Holly gripped the steering wheel. After Zane told his parents about Sophie and they worked that out, he’d have no more need of her and she could get back to life BZ. Before Zane.
She giggled at the thought, started the car, and went to fetch their food.
Chapter Seven
By the time Holly returned, Sophie was awake. Thank Heaven she was a happy baby and didn’t fuss a lot. Everyone who met her said so. It was a blessing, especially as he was so new at this. Every day he wondered if he’d do something wrong, and at the end of each day figured he must have done okay. Sophie was still in one piece.
Zane put Sophie in her playpen so he and Holly could eat. “Is the salsa hot?”
“Hot enough for you?” Holly laughed. “We’ll find out, won’t we?”
He watched her set everything on the desk before handing him a container of food. He opened it and sniffed at the contents. “Smells great.”
“That’s because it is.” She brought her container to the bed and sat next to him. “Fork?”
“Please.” He took the fork she offered. “Thanks for getting the food.”
“You mean bringing it. You paid for it.”
He smiled. “You know it’s the least I can do. Thanks again.”
“Don’t mention it. Besides, Sophie’s fun to babysit.