backseat. “It’s family friendly.”
“Perfect.” Just like him. This day has been one of the best, and I can only hope we have many more just like it.
Ridge grabs Knox, seat and all, tossing the diaper bag over his shoulder. I stand at the front of the truck, trying like hell not to drool. Six-two, broad shoulders, arm porn—as Dawn and I like to call it—tattoos running down his arm, his dark hair messy, and those dark eyes that seem to devour me anytime he’s near. I want to pull my phone out and snap a picture of him. Not to mention he’s holding a baby carrier, and from the look on his face as he stares down at his son, you know he sees him as the brightest part of his life. There isn’t a female out there who wouldn’t melt at the sight of him in this moment.
I snap out of my trance and walk toward him. He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me into the diner. It’s a slow Sunday afternoon, so we find a booth in the back corner. The waitress is there bringing one of those stands we can set Knox’s seat on. We thank her, order our drinks, and she disappears.
“What are you getting?” he asks.
“I’m starving, so it all sounds good.”
“I think I’m going to get a steak hoagie and fries.”
“I’m going with a turkey club and cheese sticks.”
After we place our order, Ridge digs a diaper and wipes out of the bag and removes Knox from his seat. “I’m going to go change him.”
Not a minute later, he’s back looking frustrated. “There not one of those changing station things in there.”
“There is in the women’s. Let me do it.” I stand and hold my hands out for the baby.
Ridge grumbles, but hands him over along with the diaper and wipes. He kisses me on the forehead then stalks to the counter to no doubt complain about not having said changing station in the men’s room.
When I get back to the table, I give him the wipes and sit down, still holding Knox. He’s such a good baby, and I know even though he won’t admit it, it’s nice for him to have a break.
“I can take him.” He starts to stand.
“I got him,” I say. Then it hits me that maybe he doesn’t want me holding him. “I mean, unless you don’t—”
“Stop it,” he growls. “Anytime, Kendall. Anytime you want to hold my son, you do it. You are not some damn stranger off the street.”
He read my mind. “Good.” I smile.
The waitress brings our food and I start to eat with one hand. “I can take him,” Ridge offers again.
“I know, but you eat faster than me. You finish, and then you can feed him while I eat.”
“You eat first, and I’ll feed him.”
“No dice, Beckett.”
He grumbles but doesn’t fight me further.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?” a leggy blonde asks, stopping at our table. Ridge immediately stops eating and glares at her.
“Stephanie,” he greets her coolly.
“I see you found a stand-in mommy,” she seethes.
“I told you I was done, now leave.”
“What? Without an introduction to your little stand-in?”
“She’s my girlfriend. Leave now, Stephanie,” he grits out.
She laughs humorlessly. “Really? Well, you move fast, don’t you? Did you know that his baby is a bastard? That he only wants you so he doesn’t have to do it on his own? Is that really what you want?”
Ridge slams his fist down on the table, and I’m sure all eyes are on us. I reach out and place mine over his, his eyes immediately snapping to mine. I smile at him, hoping he can see that her words aren’t affecting me and shouldn’t get to him either. Once I see he’s calmed, I turn and face Stephanie.
“If you knew him—really knew him—you would know that, up to this point, he’s done it all on his own. You would know that I had to force him to let me hold this little guy while he ate. If you really knew him, you would know that he puts those he cares about first. Furthermore, if you knew me, you would know that I want them both. I know this little angel lost his momma, and I’m honored that I get to be a part of his life. As for you—” I stop and take a minute to look at her with disgust. “—if I ever hear you call this baby anything other