“Hi, Mr. T.”
His little voice hit me straight in the heart. I couldn’t wait for the day when he could call me Daddy. “Are you ready to have a fun night?” I asked.
He nodded as he exited the car.
I guided him inside as Blair followed with his overnight bag.
“You didn’t have to bring anything, actually,” I said. “I meant to tell you that. I bought him some clothes to keep here, even though you told me not to. Just wanted to make things easier for you if you don’t want to truck stuff back and forth. You’d mentioned he was wearing a size 4T now, so I kept that in mind. Got stuff in 5T, too, in case he has a random growth spurt.”
She nodded. “Okay, well, I’ll know for next time.”
“When are you coming back?” I asked, trying like hell not to scan her body like I wanted to.
“Tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. Of course.” I scratched my chin. “You’re going straight to meet him from here, I assume, if you’re all dressed up…”
“Yeah. I won’t have enough time to stop back home again.”
Unable to stop myself, I gave her a once-over. “Well, be careful.”
“I will,” she said. “Let me know if you have any questions. Just text me if you need anything.”
What Ineededright now I’d be keeping to myself. I managed a nod. “We’ll be fine. Don’t worry. Just try to enjoy yourself. You deserve a night off.”
She didn’t seem to be looking me in the eye much,which was strange. Was she ashamed of what she planned to do tonight? Or was that my paranoia playing with me?
“Please be a good boy for Mr. T,” she said as she hugged Nicholas.
“Okay, Mommy.”
Blair chewed her bottom lip. “I wish I could stay a bit, but if I don’t leave now, I’ll be late.”
“Take your time. Don’t rush. Believe me, what’s-his-name won’t mind if you’re a few minutes late.”
As if I could forget his name.
Adam.
FuckingAdam.
After she walked out the door, regret set in. Nothing about her leaving sat right with me. But I forced myself to shake it off and focus on my son. He deserved my full attention.
I turned to him and grinned. “Want a snack?”
Nicholas jumped in excitement. I laughed and got him situated in his seat in the kitchen. Then I prepared him a plate: two mozzarella cheese sticks, some Teddy Grahams, orange slices, and Cheez-Its.
“I’m making spaghetti later. How does that sound?”
“Good.” He nodded with his mouth full.
I sat across from him, leaning my elbows against the table and watching him eat, and a calmness came over me. There was nowhere in the world I was meant to be besides here with my baby boy. This kid had no idea how much I loved him. What a dream it would be to share a meal withbothof my sons someday, out in the open with no worries. A lump formed in my throat. That would be a miracle.
When Nicholas looked up and noticed me watching him, he smiled. I smiled back, amused once again to see my own eyes staring back at me. “What’s your favorite thing in the whole world, Nicholas?” I asked.
“Trucks,” he said as he chewed.
Yes. That was the answer I’d been hoping for. This kid was nothing if not predictable.
