I just shook my head fondly at her. “Of course, Seedy. Anything you want, remember?”
“Stop calling me Seedy,” she complained, but with a smile. She’d gotten her way, so a smile was the least I deserved.
“Never,” I grinned. “You two okay here while I pick up the food?”
They both nodded. I didn’t want to take Pete with me, not with his bruises. You had to give it to Ida, she didn’t seem to be put off by them, or even asked. I figured they would talk while I was gone. I doubted Pete would be annoyed if asked questions, and if I knew him well enough, I’d figured he’d tell her without her asking about it.
“What do you want, baby?” Pete’s eyes widened again and I loved seeing him react like that to my endearments. I wouldbabyhim up all day every day from now on. He would get so used to being calledbabyby me that he’d react to nothing else.
“Um, the fried chicken burger, with curly fries and a vanilla milkshake.” He blushed, sneaking a glance at Ida who didn’t seem to pay us any mind as she looked around the living room.
“Noted. You two have fun while I’m gone.” I waved Ida goodbye and pecked a quick kiss on Pete’s lips, earning another wide-eyed stare, this time with blushing cheeks to go with it. Perfect.
It wasn’t as hard as I’d feared, leaving Pete behind. Knowing he would be there waiting for me, made leaving easier somehow. Plus, I figured him and Ida would do good with some alone time. Ida could tell Pete all the embarrassing things she wanted about me, not that she had a lot. Not that I knew of, at least. But Pete needed to get to know her better so he wouldn’t feel like a third wheel. And if Ida was staying, they truly needed to become friends. And fast, because I wasn’t letting Pete go. Not ever.
My phone rang just as I’d entered my car. It was my realtor Susie, and even though I knew it wouldn’t be the good news I was craving to hear, I still answered. “It’s Jackson,” I greeted.
“Hi, Jackson. Susie here. Listen, I know you had your sights on the mansion outside of town, but another just got put up for sale. Not as big, but still with a huge property and with a lot of privacy around it.”
I sighed.
I knew another mansion could work just fine for me, and hopefully Pete. But it just wasn’t the same. And considering I’d just started dating Pete, it seemed like a good time to take it easy and put the mansion hunting on pause for now. Pete deserved my full attention, and to be honest, I really wasn’t in the mood to go looking at mansions at the moment.
“I appreciate your call, but I think I’m taking a break from looking, just for a month or two. But please call me if my dream mansion goes on the market again. Actually, if it does, you can put a bid on it without even asking me. I won’t risk losing it another time.”
“So, I take it you saw the news about his fiancé?”
“I did.” I also fucked the owners throat just a few days after, but I wasn’t about to tell her that.
“I can’t say if he’ll sell now that he lives there alone or not. Like I said, when he bought it, it seemed suspicious that he ended up getting it when your bid had been higher. But I’ll keep a close eye on things.”
“Thank you. Take care, Susie.”
“You too, Jackson.”
I exhaled, feeling relieved I’d put mansion hunting to the side for now. Both Ida and Pete needed me right now, and to be honest, I needed them too.
As soon as I bought the food, I was hurried back, hoping they’d connected and we could all share a nice day together.
I just prayed they were getting along.
Chapter 15
Pete
So… this was awkward. Jackson had called me his boyfriend,andbaby. And in front of his sister. Who was now staring at me.
“So, um,” I started, not wanting us to sit in uncomfortable silence any longer. “If you want privacy with Jackson, please just let me know. I don’t want to be in the way when you need your brother.”
She tilted her head. “You truly mean that?”
“Yeah. I have a brother myself and I know sometimes it’s nice having some one-on-one time. I respect that.”
She fell back against the couch and exhaled loudly, almost like she’d dropped her walls and was allowing me to truly see the real her. “It’s all just so fucked up. I can’t even talk to Jackson about it.”
“Are you pregnant?” I blurted, then mentally kicked myself.
“Pete!” Berlina chastised me. “You don’t ask a woman that! Never! Have you no manners?” I had to fight against the eye roll. “Apologize!”
