“Whenever you are, brother.”
“Then let’s go.”
Hawkeye was only a few steps behind him as Smokey headed for the booth.
“You looked like you were having fun,” he stood next to where Taylynn had sat, he didn’t want to sit down and end up down here longer than he’d planned.It would be better if he took her upstairs and they could talk without her having to worry about being overheard.
“We did.We’re forming a book club.”
“That’s great.What are you reading?”
“We haven’t gotten that far yet.First assignment is to make two lists of ten books.One of our favorites that we’ve read, the other things we want to read.We’ll look at those and choose from them.
“Sounds like a plan,” he said with a nod.Not that he cared how they ran their book club, but if she wanted to tell him, he would listen.“You about ready to head upstairs?It’s been a long day and I’m tired.”He held out one hand toward her.He wasn’t lying but he thought she was likely far more tired than he was, but he didn’t want her to feel like he was cutting his night short because of her.He’d seen and heard enough about that fucker she’d married to know she would only feel bad or worry if she thought he was calling it a night early because of her.
Tania glanced across the table at Delilah, who was yawning.
“Don’t stay because of me,” Delilah said.“It’s already past my bedtime.”She slid out of the booth and into Hawkeye’s arms.“I’ll see you in the morning.Breakfast should be ready about seven, if you’re up,” she called over her shoulder as Hawkeye led her to the stairs.
“Oh, good.”Tania slid toward him and stood.“I’ve been fighting to stay awake for the last two hours.I’m exhausted but I had so much fun I can’t regret it, even if I end up all night with Carter.”
Smokey draped his arm across her shoulders and steered her toward the stairs.
“Does he keep you up often?”
“Off and on, usually only when there’s been a big shift in his routine or if he’s having a growth spurt.”
“So he’ll probably be up a lot tonight.”They reached the stairs and he removed his arm, setting his hand on the small of her back as he urged her to go ahead of him.
She didn’t say anything, just nodded.
“We’ll deal.You’re not alone anymore.I’ll help you with him.”He followed her up the stairs, wondering if maybe the talk about her soon to be ex and money couldn’t wait until tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tania blinked awake, confused for a moment.Staring up at the dark acoustic tiles in the ceiling something felt off.She wasn’t sure what but this wasn’t right.
