“That sucks, but it’s not a done deal. I’d say, worry about it if and when ithappens.”
“Absolutely.
“Plus, I’d be glad to watch over the kids whenever you need me to. I’ve told you so, by theway.”
“I don’t want toimpose.”
He raised his arms and twisted them to one side than the other, holding them on eye level, a deep crease marking the space between his eyebrows. When her laughter rang in the silent house, he joinedher.
“Quit the visual aid, I get it. I’m not twisting your arm. Very clever,mister.”
“Exactly. Glad to know you can take hints. Sometimes I doubtit.”
“Some hints I choose toignore.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing outon.”
“Pretentiousmuch?”
He let his eyes drop to his crotch, where the hard-on still tented his pants, and waited for her to follow the movement. When she did, he retorted, “Not pretentious.Realistic.”
Her boisterous laugh caressed his ears. “You’re so full ofit.”
“That I am, but still well-hung.”
Moira covered her face with her hands. “Oh, Lord.” After a long time, she peered at him through her fingers. “Can we please change thesubject?”
“Sure. It’ll be still true tomorrow, though.” She fake-punched him on the shoulder and he captured her hand in his, kissing her knuckles. “I love this, you know? I love goofing off, making you laugh. These moments make myday.”
“Love themtoo.”
Aidan settled Moira against his chest and tucked her head under his chin. “What else upset you at worktoday?”
“How do you know I gotupset?”
“Because you said you had a long day. It’s the first time I hear you complain about work. I know you work your ass off, but you never complain about it. Whatchanged?”
“Nothing changed, but Ana raised some issues that got me thinking. She was right to say I should go after Bob and get him to pay alimony for the kids. I wouldn’t know where to start,though.”
Aidandid.
“Remember my friend, Ricardo Alcantara?” Moira shook her head. “Duke? So, his on-off-on-again girlfriend is an investigative reporter, Vanessa Foster. I could easily put her in touch with you. I’m sure she’d be willing to help. She’s a greatgirl.”
“I’ll think aboutit.”
Moira’s response didn’t convince him, so he squeezed her against hischest.
“What? I said I’ll think about it. I will, but for now, I’ve got more pressing topics to focuson.”
“Like?”
“Coordinating my day tomorrow. Mrs. Oliveira has a doctor’s appointment and I’ll have to take Dani to her doctor. Tristan offered to cover the end of my shift, so I can get off work earlier. Still, I’ll have to take hyperactive Felipe with me to his sister’s doctor’s appointment. It won’t be fun keeping him out of trouble, while paying attention to what the doctor has to tell me aboutDani.”
Aidan was dying to say something, but he didn’t bite her bait. Instead, he smoothed the skin on her arm with hisfingertips.
Andwaited.
Moira needed tolearn.
“I know you’ve got rehearsal tomorrow, but do you think you could give me ahand?”
His reply was covering her lips with his on a sweet kiss. When he pulled away, he nudged her nose withhis.
“Thank you, Moira. I appreciate how hard it is for you to do this, ask for help, knowing I had other arrangements. Of course, I can do this. I’ll pick up Felipe after rehearsal, no biggie. I didn’t offer because I needed you to ask me. I need you to trust me, to know I’ll have your back no matterwhat.”
She took her time studying his face, then she cupped it in her hands. “I do. I’ve learned to trust you. You’ve proven to me that you’ll always support me and my decisions. And it scares the shit out ofme.”
He shot his eyebrows up. “Why?”
“Because I think I’m falling for you, AidanGallagher.”
