“She loved the penguins and the otters. How could I tell her to choose one?” Without needing to look, he felt Monique’s side-eye and laughed. “Okay, so I’m a sucker. What can I say?”
“I don’t know, how about no?”
“Not gonna happen. Especially when it’s the first time I’m seeing her since she was a baby.” The moment the carousel came into view, Nadine began to bounce with excitement on his shoulders, and he said, “Here. You two get in line, and I’ll get the tickets.”
“Tristan, you don’t have to pay for everything.” Monique bit her lip. “Just being here is enough.”
“I can’t hear you. Too noisy. Be right back.” He made sure Nadine’s hand was securely in Monique’s before walking away.
Tickets purchased, he found them in line, took the bag of toys from Monique, and stood by the railing. When Nadine was strapped onto her horse, he made sure to take pictures, and when the music started and they began to move, he managed to capture the pure joy on her face. On the second spin around, she waved her little hand at him, as did Monique, and he took another burst of pictures.
“Your wife and daughter are so beautiful.”
Tristan gazed at the woman next to him. “Oh…uh, she’s not mine. I’m her godfather.”
“Ah. Well, she loves you, that’s plain to see. And so does her mother.” She ambled away, and amused, Tristan focused again on Monique and Nadine.
“People have no clue as to boundaries these days,” someone said, and Tristan glanced to his other side, where a smiling man stood. The sliver strands in his dark hair gleamed in the late-afternoon sunlight.
God, couldn’t people leave him in peace?
“She meant well.”
“I guess.” The man waved to two young boys, who yelled out and waved from two of the horses passing by. “My nephews. They love when their gay uncle takes them for the day because I have zero resistance. Drives my sister crazy, but that’s what we’re here for, right?”
When the hell is this ride over?
Tristan gave him a weak smile. “She’s my goddaughter.”
“I heard.” The man sidled closer. “Maybe you’d like to get a cup of coffee later? I drop the kids off at six.”
“Um…” He blinked, and the music stopped.
Thank God.
“I have to get the boys. I’m Tom, by the way.” Without waiting for a response, he darted to the carousel and unbuckled his nephews. Tristan quickly found Monique and Nadine. Nadine’s bright face rivaled the sun, and she was chattering a mile a minute.
“Did you have a good time?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Looks like you did too,” Monique said. “Who was that man talking to you?”
He shrugged and held out his arms. “Do you want me to hold you?” Nadine reached for him, and he put her up on his shoulders again. “Just some guy. Ready to go?”
Monique shot him a dark look. “Don’t change the subject. If you want to—”
“Please. I don’t.” He spotted Tom with his nephews, and when their eyes met, he shrugged. “I say it’s ice cream time.”
“Yay!” Nadine laughed, and he handed the bag to Monique.
“Is that okay?” he asked Monique belatedly.
“No, but I’m not going to say anything now.”
They found the snack bar, and he waited with Nadine while Monique bought the ice cream. As Monique gave her a bit on the end of the spoon, she nudged him. “He was very good-looking.”
“Who?”
