It’s the total package of hotness.
“Hot dad alert, wow!”
James laughs and gives me a one-armed hug. “Thank you.” He pulls back and holds my left arm out to the side. “And look at you. All grown up and straight-up gorgeous.”
I do a little curtsy. “Thank you. God, it’s so good to see you. It’s been forever.”
“Since college. Come in. I’m so glad you reached out.”
I follow James into his apartment, glancing around curiously. It’s an adult apartment, with curated and expensive looking furniture. There’s art on the walls and a gallery of photos that include wedding portraits and baby pictures. There is baby gear tucked everywhere.
“Can I get you water or a sweet tea?”
“Sweet tea would be great. Let me see this baby. Can I hold him?”
“Absolutely. Meet Noah. He was three months old yesterday.” James gestures to the living room. “We are doing his three-month photo shoot today, so that’s why there are beach balls. Summer theme.”
My amazement grows as I take Noah from James and gently cradle him in my arms. Noah doesn’t wake up. He just gives a soft sigh and his arms briefly lift and shake before he settles back into a deep slumber. He’s light and smells like baby freshness. He is wearing little pastel blue and yellow plaid Bermuda shorts with a yellow onesie designed to look like a polo shirt. There is a tiny blue threaded dolphin insignia.
“He definitely looks ready to hit the golf course before a beach stroll with a sweater draped over his shoulders. It’s adorable. He’s adorable.”
“Thank you.”
That seems a more natural response to me complimenting someone’s baby.
Unlike the neighbor, who managed to look both a complete and total mess and arrogant all at the same time. I’d have to ask James about his surly neighbor a little later.
“How has it been?” I ask James. “Becoming a parent, I mean. You don’t even look tired. Your apartment is pristine. Your baby is an angel. I’m impressed.”
“I love it,” James says, reaching into a cupboard for two tall glasses. “Seriously. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Sure, getting up three times a night is hard, and yes, I am plagued by self-doubt that I’m doing any of this right, but I literally just stare at my baby and the entire world is just…right there. Everything feels complete.”
My heart softens. I always knew James was a good guy, but seeing him like this makes me so happy for him. “That’s fantastic. Congratulations on getting married, too. I heard through the Honeysuckle Harbor gossip chain that it was quite the grand affair.”
James laughs as he opens the refrigerator door. “You know my mother. She was born to throw a grand affair. It actually seemed to rejuvenate her so much she looks five years younger. Or maybe that’s the Botox.”
I snort, strolling with Noah over to the gallery wall to study the photos. “Tell me about Cas. Yourhusband,” I add in a sing-song voice. “Very handsome.”
He is. He’s taller than James, with very trendy glasses. The first two shots are them on the beach gazing at each other, but then there is one of them laughing and holding hands, clearly leaving their reception. Cas has removed his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing two fully tattooed forearms.
Arm porn at its finest. I’m a little jealous of James.
“Cas is great. He’s Dutch. He’s very tidy, orderly. He’s thoughtful and protective and he loves to take care of us. I honestly couldn’t ask for a better partner.” He glances over his shoulder and grins. “Plus, he’s really hot, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Oh, I noticed. Trust me. Please tell me he’s good in bed too, so I can officially be jealous of you.”
“Uh, yes. He is. I wouldn’t have married him otherwise.”
“Bullshit.” I stand, rocking Noah back and forth. His little mouth is mimicking sucking in his sleep. “James, you are the kind of guy who would fall in love and make it work even if the man was, shall we say,lacking. You are probably the nicest human I know.”
“I think you’re giving me too much credit. Sex is important.”
“I wouldn’t know,” I say, breezily. “It’s been so long I’m not sure I remember how to do it.”
“It’s like riding a bike.”
I would ride anything right now.
“If you say so.”
