Grayson is still frowning. “There’s no reason to upset her.”
Caroline shakes her head. “Wow, I wish all the men in my life were so accommodating as to keep me from being upset for even two minutes.” She looks at Evelyn. “You’re going to have to teach me your ways, baby doll.”
I roll my eyes. I am certain this woman has men tripping over themselves, trying to make her happy.
“Or you could just put Evelyn in the stroller and take her down the hall with you to take the trash out,” I suggest.
Grayson looks at me thoughtfully. “That’s actually a good idea. She does like the stroller.”
I snort. “Glad I could help.”
I shouldn’t tease the guy. Clearly, fatherhood is not something he’s taking to naturally. And it can be overwhelming. I at least have a partner helping, and Noah is an absolute ray of sunshine. He loves to be held, of course, but we can put him down when we need to do other things.
“You really need to get some help,” Caroline tells Grayson.
He runs a hand over his face and gives a heavy sigh. “I’m aware. I had help until this morning. Rose. You met her on her way out.”
Caroline’s eyes widen. “What did you do to make that sweet woman quit?”
“I needed her to work a lot. Too much. My expectations tend to be very high for lots of other people. Particularly ones who are picking up the slack in my life where I…”
“Kind of suck?” I offer.
I don’t know why I feel the need to point out that this man is drowning. I definitely get the impression that not being good at something is very unusual for Grayson Ross.
He doesn’t look pleased with my suggestion, but he doesn’t deny it either. “I’m not above asking for help, and I’m not above paying very well for it. But I do expect that help to do an exceptional job.”
“Especially for your daughter,” Caroline says.
Grayson looks over at Evelyn. “We don’t actually know that she’s mine.”
Caroline and I look at each other again, and I snort. Again.
“What?” Grayson asks. “We’re waiting on the results of the DNA test.”
“She looks just like you, man,” I tell him. There’s no way this kid isn’t his.
“So I’ve been told,” Grayson says. “But I need to be sure.”
Caroline looks around the apartment. “But you still did all of this? Even before you knew for sure?”
He shrugs. “She needed things. It’s not her fault that the woman in the red skirt dropped her off with me.”
“What was her name?” Caroline asks. She’s studying him closely. “I know you know.”
He sighs. “Lacey.”
“And you were in New York when you ‘met’ Evelyn?”
“Yes.”
“And then you picked up your life and moved here.”
“Yes. My family is here. I thought they’d help.”
“But they’re not?”
“Not as much as I need them to.”
