“Thanks.”
His voice was softer, and it made me melt.
I turned and left, carefully closing the door behind me, and wondered if I’d have the same bizarre reaction to him tomorrow when he wouldn’t have the baby on his shoulder. Maybe that would knock a few points off that sex appeal.
But deep down, I didn’t think so.
CHAPTER 7
BECKETT
“She’s adorable,”Mom said the next evening, cooing over Charlotte. She’d been fussing right until Mom took her in her arms.
“You’re very good with her.” I couldn’t manage to hide my surprise.
Dad laughed. “Your mom is a baby whisperer, trust me. When you all were small, she was the only one who knew how to calm you. Your grandmothers tried”—the corners of Mom’s lips twitched—“but your mom was the true magician.”
“Yes, I am. Isn’t that right, my little girl.” Mom looked at Charlotte, then glanced up at me. “I always wanted another baby girl, so this should be fun! Son, you already gave us all the instructions. Go and relax a bit.”
“We’ll be here for as long as you need us,” Dad said. “And I know you decided to find a nanny, but I’m retired and have time to be with Charlotte…”
“And I wouldn’t mind retiring for this little baby,” Mom said, cooing at my daughter again, who looked up at her in fascination.
That completely shocked me. Momlovedher gallery—it washer life’s work—but she’d close it all just to be with her granddaughter.
“Mom, you can spend time with her whenever you want, but I’m still hiring someone. You’ve got your business, and Charlotte’s not your responsibility. She’s mine.”
“I know,” Mom whispered. “And I can’t tell you how proud of you I am for immediately stepping up.”
I couldn’t decide if people meant that as a compliment or not. Of course I stepped up. She was my daughter. I would’ve stepped up long before if I’d known. Ella and I were never going to be a couple, but I would’ve made sure that I went with her to appointments and whatever else having a baby involved.
“I’ll be back soon, my little girl,” I told Charlotte before heading out. Yeah, I’d acquired that weird baby talk people get when relating to kids. Not sure where it came from, but it appeared the day I met her.
I arrived in the French Quarter a short while later. Looking around, I decided I should look for a place to live in this neighborhood. I spent most of my time here during work and then even afterward. Not that I had much free time these days.
An idea occurred to me as I headed to the Lucky Bar. I could move to the Marigny district, where Chad lived. It was close enough to the Quarter, and the houses there were more spacious with both front and backyards.
Since it was six o’clock on a Wednesday, the Lucky Bar wasn’t completely full, but it was still doing a good amount of business. Even though my brother owned a lot of bars, this one was my favorite.
My brothers were arriving in about an hour, so that gave me plenty of time to hear Piper out. Yesterday, I’d been toast, but not enough so to miss the way she’d held Charlotte. Damn it, it did something to me, though I couldn’t even say what. I was all over the place these days, but I was starting to embrace my crazy. I was certain that our interaction tonight would be short andprofessional. Well, it better be, because I had no time for anything but.
Then I saw Piper at the bar. She was wearing red high heels and had one leg over the other, bouncing it to the rhythm of the music. Her legs were endless.
She was stunning, and I couldn’t look away from her. Yesterday, it had been easier to keep myself in check because I’d had my hands full with Charlotte. But tonight was different. I was a single guy. There was nothing wrong with drinking in a beautiful woman.
Except there was.
I was a singledad. I had enough going on, and I was determined to do the best by my daughter. That meant no more hookups.
I’d always made fun of Chad for taking a celibacy vow after divorcing his wife and becoming a single dad, but now I was starting to see the point.
I walked straight toward Piper, watching her sip a Sazerac. She was completely unaware of me.
“Is this seat taken?” I asked.
She smiled. “Beckett, hi. Why, no, I think this one’s free.” Then she looked on her other side and playfully added, “This one’s free too.”
“Will you look at that?”
