down to undo the straps across his small chest.
“Go ahead,” she says, waving her hand at Angelo and stepping back. “I should let you handle him, right?”
I take him out slowly and pick up the pacifier he spit out. He takes it again and I grab one of the blankets she threw over the couch so I can wrap him as I hold him.
“You’re getting good at that.” Her smile is soft and she hasn’t moved far, like she wants to get her hands on him, and I like that.
She likes him.
“He likes to be held. A lot.”
“Babies do.” She laughs and she picks up the carrier I’ve completely forgotten about. It’s the entire reason why I went to get her earlier. “Should we figure out how to do this?”
“Yes.” As soon as I say it though, Angelo’s face turns purple and his whole body tenses. I look down at him, grimacing. I’ve learned quickly what this means. “Maybe in a minute.”
I wait until he’s done filling his diaper and I’m rewarded with the stench of him and a smile that is so wide he drops his pacifier from his mouth.
Man, this kid can take a dump that’ll clear the room.
“Men,” she says, “you’re all the same, thinking pooping is funny.”
I must be smiling at him again. In addition to lack of sleep, my cheeks hurt. I think I’ve smiled more this weekend than I’ve smiled in years. “What’s not funny about it?”
She’s laughing and reaching for him like she can’t wait to get her hands on him. “I can change him.”
“I will let you. Happily.” She takes him from me and goes to the corner of the living room where I have stacked everything.
Hannah and Byron went wild on Friday night. As soon as I explained what was going on, Hannah had my laptop in her lap, Target pulled up on the screen. She clicked so fast on my keyboard I was certain smoke would come from it. She didn’t stop until she snapped her fingers at me and demanded my credit card. I was in such a fog I handed it over without question.
She is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and what she’s doing with babies. Who am I to question?
Two hours later, whatever she ordered was ready for pickup and Byron went to get it, leaving me with Hannah while she so gently and quietly and easily explained and taught me how to do simple things like how to change and feed Angelo.
The rocking him I picked up from Paisley although my hips don’t sway as nicely as hers do. And it’s amazing she does it even on the short walk to where I have his things stacked.
“Can I do anything?”
She smiles at me over her shoulder. “Stir the sauce and turn down the heat? It will have to simmer for awhile.” Her brows pucker as she bends down and grabs a carton of wipes and a fresh diaper. “Is that okay? If I stay and eat, too?”
It’s cute she thought of preparing an entire meal for me and assumed herself in it without asking. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
Paisley’s gaze softens and her lips part. I see a hint of her tongue as she runs it along her lip before she turns back to the task of cleaning up Angelo. I’ve surprised her. I hope she understands I mean it, and not only because I’m still scared of being around Angelo alone.
I mean it because I want to get to know Paisley more. See if there’s anything between us more than me thinking she’s beautiful.
Chapter Ten
Paisley
* * *
My focus is lasered in on a squirming Angelo. He kicks and wiggles while I wrestle him to get the diaper on him. Perhaps cooking a meal that will take an hour to make wasn’t the smartest decision. Now I feel like a jerk, essentially inviting myself into Mikah’s home.
He doesn’t seem to mind, but he’s probably lonely for company. It’s best if I keep my head down, keep things cordial between Mikah and I, and focus on my education and degree.
Unfortunately, keeping my head down and doing the right or best thing doesn’t sound like any fun. I like this guy. I like how sweet he is with Angelo and every time he smiles down at this cute little guy, my heart squeezes.
Mikah has a neon sign hanging over his head blinking DANGEROUS in all capitals.
The exact thing I’m attracted to.
Fight