Or maybe that was his intention. The thought that Tanner was actively trying to look appealing to other men left a sour feeling in my stomach.
We waited in line without talking much, but when our turn came, he was like a kid in a candy store. He wanted photos in every pose possible. I was about to say there was a line and we should move along when a tiny voice called from behind me.
“Excuse me?”
I turned around but had to look down to meet the eyes of the small human. The kid couldn’t be older than six or seven, with dark-blue eyes and almost black hair. I guessed the guy standing in line with him was his dad.
“Would you like me to take a picture of you and your husband with Kuchi?”
“He’s not my?—”
“Tyler,” the guy said, trying to hide his amusement. “What have I told you?”
“Sorry, Papa. But they were talking to each other like you and Daddy talk.”
The guy rolled his eyes but smiled adoringly at the kid.
He held his hand out. “I’m sorry about that. He thinks everyone who so much as looks at each other is a couple. He gets it from his dad. I’m Tate, the keeper of this little smartbutt.”
“I’m Jax, and my excited friend over there is Tanner,” I said.
The kid raised his arm. “I’m Tyler, and I’m going to be eight this year. My birthday is just before Christmas, and my papa and daddy said I could get a camera for my birthday if I keep practicing taking photos. Can I practice with you?”
I chuckled. “Sure.” I unlocked my phone and gave it to him, looking at his dad to make sure he was okay with it.
“Looks like you made a friend,” Tanner said when I joined him.
“Cute kid.”
Somehow, we found ourselves being directed by the kid like we were doing a photoshoot for an influential magazine.
“Okay, okay, that’s enough photos, Ty,” Tate said.
“Okay, Papa.”
I got my phone back, glancing quickly at the ridiculous number of photos taken.
“It’s our turn, Papa,” Tyler said, jumping excitedly.
“Hey, if you want a break, my husband owns the coffee shop over there. Tell him I sent you,” Tate said before aiming his phone at a beaming Tyler.
“You’re good with kids,” Tanner said when we got away.
“He was cool.”
“You think you’ll ever have any?”
“Sure. First, I need to find someone to take naps with.” I bumped his shoulder. “Come on, there’s a secondhand stall over there, and I think you need a new Tamagotchi.”
“Chip will get jealous,” he sang.
“Nah, they can be best friends.”
We browsed for an eternity, chatting to other fans of the toy. I smiled to myself, thinking about my Army brothers. I’d get so much shit if they saw me here.
“What are you smiling about?” Tanner asked, catching me in my thoughts as I picked up the Tamagotchis and put them down again.
“Nothing much, just my Army buddies.”
