A few seconds later, Kat moves across the backseat. I offer her my hand to help her out, and she doesn’t hesitate to take it.
Another new development. Just a few weeks ago, not only would she have hesitated, she would have come out the color of a tomato.
Not that I mind that; in fact, I rather enjoy getting under her skin, but I can’t deny that her feeling comfortable with me is almost intoxicating.
“Thanks,” she says, offering me a small smile. “But if you're busy, it’s okay. I can take her. It's just a check-up to make sure I’m not coming down with anything contagious. I’d hate to get anyone else sick.”
She might be too damn sweet, honestly. She’s the only person I know who could be sick and be more worried about the people around her than herself.
“Stop that. First of all, this is literally part of the job,” I tell her, pulling her away from the door so that I can close it. “Second, she’s my goddaughter. I don’t mind spending time with her, ever.”
Her cheeks get impossibly redder, and damn my cock and these dress slacks.
“I know. I wasn’t trying to imply you didn’t. I just didn’t want you to think you had…”
She trails off as I press my lips to the back of her hand. Her mouth hangs open when I glance at her through my lashes, dragging my lower lip up her hand just an inch to see how she’ll react.
Her fingers squeeze my own, and I hear her suck in a breath through her teeth.
Good to know.
“Go. Worry about yourself for once, and let me entertain the munchkin. We’ll be here when you’re done,” I tell her as I pull away, almost daring her to argue with me some more.
She doesn’t; instead, she turns toward the building and heads inside.
“Good girl.”
Her steps falter, but she doesn’t turn to look back at me. She doesn’t need to, though; that was answer enough.
I move back to the front of the car and slip into the driver's seat with a smile on my face that’s big enough it's making my cheeks ache.
It’s strange but not unwelcome. It’s not as if I’ve been miserable all these years, but something about this just feels different, life-altering if you will.
“Do you love Mommy too, Uncle Vinny?” Addy all but sings as she claps her hands and bounces in her seat.
Love.
Fuck, that’s a hell of a word.
I’m not sure I’ve ever told anyone I love them other than my parents when I was a boy and Addy.
No, I don’t think IloveKat yet, but I think I could if I let myself, if she lets me. But kids don’t get all that shit. Hell, I hope she doesn’t even when she's an adult.
All I want is for Addy to have a better life than we did.
“Yeah, kiddo, I think I might,” I tell her, and instantly regret it when she squeals loud enough that I’m pretty sure my ears are going to bleed.
Ababy…
I might be in shock.
Vince keeps looking at me in the rearview. I can see the concern in his eyes, but I haven’t said anything yet.
Who do I tell?
Whose baby is it? I don’t care, but will they?
Crap. What if they're mad? What if they don’t want a baby?
