“Leave it. It’ll be fine here. We’ll come by and get it tomorrow.”
“I can drive home.” She laughs. “I didn’t touch a drop of alcohol while I had Camden with me.”
“I know,” I assure her. “I just want you both with me.”
She stops walking and turns to face me. Her brown eyes show me what her words don’t. She wants to be with us, too. But she still fights me on it when she says, “It’s silly to make another trip here tomorrow. Besides, you’re off tomorrow. I assumed you’d want the day to hang with this little guy.” She reaches up and pushes Camden’s hair out of his eyes. “I don’t want to be in the way of your time with him.”
“You won’t be,” I assure her. “Let me drive us home.”
“I’ll be right behind you. I promise. I’m going to stop and pick up some brownie mix. It’s quick and easy, and we’ll have a dessert. You know Landry and Reid will ask you if you have anything.”
“I can stop at the store, too,” I counter.
“Baker Sinclair, what is going on with you?” She chuckles, grinning up at me. “Get this little man home. I’ll be there soon.” She nods for me to open the back of my SUV so she can put the bags inside.
I blow out a heavy breath. I want her with us, but I know this is a fight I’m not going to win. Not without sounding like a possessive asshole. And as far as tomorrow goes? She’s going to be there with us. Where she belongs. I know I’m paying her, and it’s all kinds of complicated, so why not make it even more so?
I’ll ask her to stay later, but if plans go my way, she’ll be sleeping next to me again tonight. I don’t even care if I have to use my son to guilt her into it. He loves her, and if I have to fight dirty, then so be it.
“Fine,” I grumble. I hit the button on the key fob to open the back of my SUV, and she places my bag and the diaper bag in the back before hitting the button to close it.
“Do you need anything else from the store?” she asks.
“I guess since you’re stopping, maybe get some chips, too. I’ll order pizza and wings. Do we have drinks?”
“Yes, the garage fridge is still stocked.”
“Okay, just some chips unless there’s something else you want. Whatever it is, you use my card to get it all.”
“I can buy some brownies and chips, Baker. My boss pays me well.” She smirks.
“Use mine.” My words leave no room for argument. Opening the back door, I get Camden settled into his car seat and step back. Before I can close the door, Sloane slips in front of me and bends down to talk to him.
“I’ll see you soon, little man. You were such a good boy today,” she praises him.
“Cam, good,” he says, patting his chest.
“That’s right.” She kisses his cheek before standing and turning to face me. “I’ll see you soon.” She turns to leave, but I grab her wrist, pulling her back to me. I close the car door and pull her into my chest.
“Drive safely,” I say, hugging her tight.
“I will,” she says, returning my embrace.
I have to let her go, so I do so reluctantly. She smiles, waves, and turns to walk to her car. I don’t move until I see her climb inside and drive away.
Chapter Sixteen
Sloane
* * *
I’m gripping the steering wheel, but I can still feel the slight tremble in my hands. My heart is pounding inside my chest, and I know I need backup. Pulling into the parking lot of the grocery store, I put my car in park, grab my phone, and call Corie.
“Hey, miss me already?” she teases.
“Always,” I assure her. “But, I kind of need to chat.”
“Sure, what’s up? Is everything okay?”
