Shock - Marie Johnston Page 0,54

and see where things went between us. Are we already going in different directions?

Ford

“Da. Daddy.”

I roll over and eye the wide-awake toddler in the portable crib by my bed. He didn’t sleep nearly as long as he was supposed to.

“What’s up, buddy?”

Jayden jumps up and down and reaches for me.

I swing my legs over the bed and haul him up. “Food and then we’ll figure what to do for the day.”

So far, my first overnight with my son is going okay. Lia came over last night but opted not to stay over. There wasn’t anywhere to put her. She wouldn’t be comfortable sleeping in my bedroom with Jayden until she got to know him better. Likewise for my son.

So it was just him and me last night. Other than the bedtime sippy cup debacle where the only sippy cup Cass packed wasn’t the one he wanted, the night went really smooth.

In the kitchen, I grab the cup I used to calm him instead of the offensive sippy cup and fill it with apple juice. Setting him in the new highchair I bought because feeding him on my lap was getting too cumbersome for both of us, I start some toast for breakfast.

I send a picture of Jayden covered in jam to Lia.

My alarm clock.

Two hours go by before she replies, Cute, but you set it too early.

The corner of my mouth hitches. I don’t mind. Just like I don’t mind that my girlfriend can sleep all morning while I clean house and Jayden follows me with a small dust rag.

My girlfriend.

Not only do I have a girlfriend, but I spent the weekend with my kid, and earlier this week I reconnected with my stepsister. The dinner at McClintock’s was a welcome change from any other date I’ve had. Karoline even invited us to a cookout with Ryan and his kids next weekend.

I hope I can bring Jayden. Neither Karoline nor Ryan has met him yet.

Jayden rubs his eyes and I glance at the time. It’s too early for a nap, but he also didn’t sleep on his own mattress. He’s growing tall for a toddler and my sleeping arrangements for him are getting cramped.

If he continues to sleep over, I could get a little bed for him. The bedroom I had as a kid is free. I’m storing some old furniture items for Mom that she didn’t want to bring to her apartment. I haven’t used them in the last couple of years. They could go. Then Jayden would have his own room.

I could even decorate the walls. Something Jayden would like. My gaze touches on the Paw Patrol toys on the floor. He loves Marshall. A fireman. I huff out a laugh. Figures.

A list runs through my mind. A toddler bed. A small dresser. I shouldn’t need a changing table, since he’ll potty train soon enough. I’ll have to clear out the closet so he has a place for his toys.

A bedroom all to himself. He has one at Cass’s house, but this would be at my place. His own space with me.

The idea snowballs until I pack up Jayden to head to the store. I call Lia. “Want to come with me?”

“Sure. To do what?”

I chuckle. “You agreed before you even knew what I was asking?”

“Hazard of being your partner. I trust you. Besides, Mrs. Rosenthal made another comment about my flower beds and I’ll feel less guilty ignoring them if I’m gone.”

“Or…you could plant something.”

“I keep people alive, not plants.”

I don’t have to worry about surprising her with flowers then. “I’m going to redo my old bedroom for Jayden. Cass isn’t picking him up until before supper. I have time to run to a couple of stores.”

“Sounds fun. Pick me up?”

Chapter 15

Lia

Ford squats next to Jayden, his hand protectively on the boy’s back while they look at various toy storage options. With each piece of furniture Ford picks, he goes over it with Jayden. I doubt many toddlers have this level of input in their bedroom design.

Ford is far more concerned about each choice than his son. Jayden wandered from bed to bed, trying to get into each one and barely looking at any photos of the ones that weren’t built for display.

He straightens and swings Jayden up on his shoulders. The boy giggles and clutches his father’s hair. Ford winces, but his mouth is tipped in a smile. He’s been loving this afternoon.

“It’s settled,” he announces. “He likes this one.”

I eye the set of multicolored bins