says. “I have lemonade, tea—”
“I’ll take some lemonade, ma’am, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Of course not,” she says, grabbing him a glass. “It’s no trouble at all.”
After thanking Ingrid profusely, Joe takes his glass out back as he joins Sam and Luke at the duck pond, leaving me and Beth in the kitchen with Ingrid.
Ingrid watches out the back window at the threesome standing by the pond. From the other side of the kitchen, Beth watches her mother. And I watch the both of them.
I sidle up next to Beth. “I think your mother has an admirer,” I whisper, nodding out the window at Joe.
Beth grins. “I think you’re right,” she whispers back.
* * *
While the cookies are cooling, I go outside in search of my man. I find him deep in conversation with Shane McIntyre and another guy. This one, tall and dark-haired, looks like he could easily give the former boxer a run for his money. What is it with these guys and their massive arms?
Tyler waves me over. “Ian, you remember Jake McIntyre, Shane’s brother. And you’ve met Shane.”
Jake and I say our hellos.
“Are you done mowing?” I ask Tyler.
“Yes, all done.”
“Good. Your mom and I made chocolate chip cookies, just the way you like them.”
Tyler’s smile lights up his eyes. “Really?”
“Yes. Come inside and have some.”
Later, as we’re driving back to the townhouse, I ask Tyler, “Does your mom know that Joe Rucker is crushing on her?”
“You think he is?”
“I know he is. Beth thinks so too. The man couldn’t keep his eyes off your mom. And who could blame him? Your mom is seriously hot.”
Tyler laughs. “This, coming from a gay man?”
“Just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a beautiful woman when I see one.”
Chapter 14
Ian Alexander
Later that afternoon, Tyler gets a call from Shane, inviting him to stop by his penthouse apartment to meet with Troy Spencer, Shane’s lawyer.
“You told him?” I ask. “About Brad’s threat to press charges?”
Tyler nods. “Shane offered me the services of his personal attorney.”
“You should go,” I tell him. “So you can be prepared if Brad follows through on his threat.”
“Come with me. You can visit with my sister and Luke. Ever since Luke’s birthday party, she’s been asking me to bring you by.”
I jump at the chance to hang out with Beth. His mom and sister mean the world to him, and I want to be part of their family.
That evening, Tyler drives us to their apartment building, and as we pull into the parking lot, I glance up at the impressive glass and steel structure overlooking Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan. “This has to be one of the nicest apartment buildings in Chicago,” I say. “It’s certainly one of the most expensive properties.”
Tyler nods as he parks in a reserved spot in the underground garage. “Shane owns the building. He and his family use the top floor as their private residence, as well as the roof. The next several floors down are reserved for McIntyre Security employees, and the rest of the apartments are leased to the public.”
After Tyler punches in an access code, we take the private elevator up to the penthouse. When the doors open, we’re greeted by Luke, who is bouncing excitedly on his feet as he holds the hand of his very pregnant mom.
As we step out of the elevator, Luke walks over to Tyler and begs to be picked up.
Tyler picks up his nephew and kisses his cheek. “Hey, little guy.”
When I step out of the elevator, Beth hugs me. “I’m so glad you came, Ian.”
Luke reaches for me, his little arms outstretched, and Tyler transfers the kid over.
“He loves the toy camera you two gave him for his birthday,” Beth says. “It’s become one of his favorite toys, second only to his stuffed kitty cat.”
I elbow Tyler, grinning. “I told you he’d like it.”
Tyler puts his arm around his sister and pulls her close to kiss the top of her head. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine,” she says, smiling up at him as she pats her rounded abdomen. She slips an arm around Tyler’s waist and leans into him.
“I’m here for you,” he tells her quietly. “Anything you need. Just call me.”
“I know. Thank you.”
Luke starts squirming in my arms, wanting to be let down. When I set him on the floor, he runs back to his mama, who picks him up and kisses his cheek.
* * *
While Tyler disappears down the hallway with Shane and his