Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,51
negotiate the contract.”
Tim pumped Dash’s hand. “That’s terrific.”
“And I brought a girl home.”
Tim stopped and dropped Dash’s hand. He studied his employer carefully. “Okay,” he said slowly. “Where is she?”
“With Herc. He’s showing her his bedroom.”
Those few words told Tim everything he needed to know. The caregiver knew how protective Dash was of Herc. How Dash didn’t introduce Herc to any woman that he slept with.
Tim couldn’t contain his smile. “She must be pretty special.”
Dash grinned back. “She is, Tim. I’m not sure what I did to deserve her.” He let out a deep breath. “I think I’ll go check on them now. Put enough spaghetti in the pot for the four of us. Sydney’s staying for dinner.”
“Sydney. I like that name.”
“You’re going to really like her, Tim.”
“I already do.”
Dash strolled back to Herc’s room. He could hear his brother talking a mile a minute long before he reached the open doorway. He stood watching Herc interact with Sydney.
“I keep my comic books here. That’s where my chapter books go. I can read them a little bit. And here are my cars. And these are my games. Do you like Candy Land, Sydney? I love Candy Land.”
“I see Chutes and Ladders, Herc. That’s one of my favorite games. Maybe we can play it after dinner.”
Herc looked at her in astonishment. “You’re gonna eat with us? Yea!” He clapped his hands together.
Sydney joined in the clapping, a smile on her face. She leaned over and hugged Herc. Dash saw happiness shining on his brother’s face. If he thought he’d fallen in love with Sydney on the beach, that one simple gesture assured him a thousand times over that he’d given his heart to the right woman.
“But I hafta show you Ginger. You’re gonna love Ginger.” Herc scrambled over to the bed and picked up a worn stuffed animal. He handed it to Sydney. “This is my dog.”
She stroked it lovingly and then kissed the top of the dog’s head. “I like Ginger. She’s a very sweet dog.”
“She is!” Herc exclaimed. He looked up and spotted Dash. “Sydney likes Ginger, Dash. We’re gonna play Chutes and Ladders.”
“We can all play after dinner. Go wash up for dinner.”
“And potty?”
“If you need to,” Dash said.
Herc went into the bathroom.
“Shut the door, Herc. Remember. Manners.”
“Okay, Dash,” his brother called out. The door closed.
Sydney gave Dash a warm smile. “He’s a great guy.”
“Herc is the reason my mom left. She couldn’t handle his disability. He’ll always be around five or six, mentally.”
She came and put her arms around his waist. “Your mom missed out then. On both of you.”
“I’m Herc’s legal guardian,” Dash explained. “When Dad died, I was an adult. I couldn’t let Herc go into a group home. He’s all the family I have.” He paused. “Herc will always be with me, Sydney. Wherever I live, Herc will have a home there.”
“I think you’re an amazing man, Dash DeLauria.” She gave him a soft, sweet kiss.
“You’re pretty amazing yourself.” He kissed her back.
“Kissing, kissing,” Herc said in a sing-song voice. “You like Sydney, Dash.”
Dash kissed her again. “I sure do, Herc.”
His brother gave them a bashful smile. “I like Sydney, too, but she can be your girlfriend, Dash.”
“Thanks, Herc. Let’s go help Tim with the spaghetti, okay?”
“Okay!” Herc skipped out of the room.
Sydney touched her palm to his cheek. “I like being your girlfriend, Dash DeLauria. A lot.”
“I like having a girlfriend, Sydney Revere. A lot.”
They followed Herc into the kitchen. Dash introduced her to Tim, who was stirring the spaghetti sauce. Sydney offered to set the table, saying it was her only useful kitchen skill.
“Other than phoning for take-out or delivery,” she added.
Herc helped her arrange the plates and silverware and showed her the drawer where the napkins were kept.
“Cloth napkins for you men,” she said. “I’m very impressed.”
Tim drained the pasta and removed the sauce from the stove while Dash took the salad from the refrigerator. Herc hurried over to get the bottle of Italian dressing and the tub of butter.
“We have rolls, Sydney,” Herc shared, his eyes gleaming. “They taste good. They have . . .” He frowned. “What’s that called, Dash?”
“Yeast.”
“Yeah, yeast. Dash puts yeast in the rolls. It makes ‘em taste good.”
Sydney gave him an appreciative look. “You made the rolls?”
“And the marinara sauce,” Tim added, trying to make Dash look good in front of their guest.
They gathered around the table. Herc said his usual short and sweet prayer and then they dug in.
Half an hour later, Sydney pushed