woke up.
My irrational proclamation was overturned when Stewie chose that second to do just that. I saw the big blue eyes open beneath the shock of overly long, wavy dark brown hair that my sister refused to trim.
I saw the moment he saw me on the wrong side of the locked door. Luckily, he was too young to know it was locked or that there was a problem.
If I could just control my own expression he’d never know.
Forcing a smile I leaned low and said, “Stewie. Hey, buddy. You’re awake.”
“I’m hungry,” he said, his little voice muffled by the mostly closed window between us.
“I know you are, bud. The food is coming.” Maybe I could slip the french fries to him through the crack in the window one at a time.
I felt mister hot young bod behind me before I turned and saw him there. He’d leaned to see past me, to the steering column, even as I moved to block his view.
A smirk twisted his lips. “You lock the kid in the car with the keys?”
“No. I mean—” I let out a sigh. “Not on purpose.”
His grin widened. “Wait here. I’ll be back in a sec.”
“Not like I can go anywhere,” I mumbled as he trotted away from me.
As promised, he was back in under a minute. Thank God because I was running out of small talk with Stewie.
“Let me in there,” he said as he sidled around me to get to the driver’s side window.
“What are you going to do?” I panicked when I saw the long metal rod in his hand. “Don’t break the window.”
He frowned at me. “I’m not.”
Sliding the thin piece of metal between the window and the doorframe, he wiggled it around a bit and then, thank goodness, I heard a click.
After pulling the tool back out he reached down and opened the driver’s door. “There you go.”
I let out my breath in a whoosh. “Thank God.”
“Actually, the name’s Boone, not God, and you’re welcome.” He grinned.
I couldn’t even be annoyed at his cocky attitude and dumb joke. I was too grateful. He’d helped me out of a huge jam. Saved Stewie from certain meltdown. Prevented an embarrassing call for help.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” He hit the button to unlock all the doors, opened Stewie’s and leaned in. “Hey, buddy. How are you doing back there?”
“I’m hungry,” Stewie repeated, making me feel like the worst aunt in the world.
“The order is coming,” I explained.
“Yeah. They’re slammed on weekends. It can take a while. Want some of my shake?” Boone asked Stewie directly, holding the cup out toward him.
My eyes widened. We were coming into cold and flu season. I didn’t know this guy. Before I could express all my concerns, Stewie reached out for the cup.
“I’ll hold it for you. It’s kind of big.” This stranger bent his long legs and settled right in the back seat next to Stewie, holding the cup for him with one big hand while he guided the straw into the child’s mouth with the other. “It’s good, huh?”
Stewie nodded.
“Always ask for extra thick when you order. That’s the trick,” Boone explained, as Stewie focused on him like he was spilling the secrets of the universe.
“Hey, here you go.”
I spun at the girl’s voice and found the waitress next to me, bag extended.
“Thank you,” I said, grateful as I realized I’d never went into my wallet to get her a tip. I rushed to put down the bag and remedy the situation when she stepped to the rear door and peered inside.
“Hey, Boone. Whatcha doing in there?”
“Hey, Sha. Just hanging out and sharing my shake with this little dude.”
She laughed. “I’d say he’s a step up from some of the people you usually hang out with.”
“Ha, ha. Smart ass,” he mumbled.
“Smart ass,” Stewie repeated with a wide grin on his face.
I sucked in a breath. I shouldn’t react. That would just reinforce the behavior, but I couldn’t control myself.
Boone’s eyes shot wide as he glanced at me. “Oh shit. I’m sorry.”
Stewie giggled and proceeded to chant, “Shitshitshitshitshit.”
In fact, he made it into a song. One that went on and on and actually had a catchy tune to it.
At that, the waitress lost it, laughing so hard she had to bend over at the waist.
Boone cringed and met my gaze.
I didn't know what to think of this hot young guy, but I did know one thing—however long I had him for, our time together was going to leave a lasting impression