I don’t miss how the other moms in this park have been flicking their eyes on him either. This man shouldn’t be allowed out of the house.
“She’s a little too young to talk,” he laughs, coming over to fix her little pink sun hat.
“Such a shame. I was writing full essays at this age. You gotta catch up, kid,” I say, bouncing her up and down.
“I believe it. You never stop talking.” A sly grin spreads, and he laughs, walking further with the empty stroller and scoping out the other animals.
“Neveris pretty extreme.” I tease. “I can think of a few ways you’ve shut me up.”
This earns me a heated glance back before he continues.
“Peeps, wave at daddy,” I say, wiggling her hand at Brad.
He throws his head back and a deep laugh barrels out of his chest. “You’re sick. Give me her.” He comes over to me, picking Paislee from my arms. “Don’t use your baby sister to flirt, you weirdo.”
I flash a smile at him, pushing my own sunglasses back to get my hair out of my face. I see the way he looks at me before returning to his walk.
Fuck, I love this.
I can’t help but feel…comfortable.Safe. Out in the daylight. Being with him and Paislee, outside with other families, feels like our own little piece of normalcy. Everything just feels…real. Like, it was always supposed to be like this.
I’ve always been known as a trouble-maker. Shit stirrer. Hell, the principal at my high school knew me by name and insisted I would be expelled by the time I graduated. To her disappointment, I wasn’t.
Buthere, right now, nothing feels better than being a good boy for him. If this is what being good will get me, I want to be the best boy he’s ever seen.
***
After touring the grounds, I think it’s safe to say that the ducks are Paislee’s favorite. Her excited giggles and kicking feet are proof enough that I will be getting her all the duck merchandise for Christmas. It’s official— I love seeing her happy.
Just like I love seeinghimhappy.
He would never say it out loud but I saw how excited he got when we got to the rabbits. The man hardly wanted to let the one in his arms go. Thankfully, I snapped a few pictures so I can relive that memory whenever I need a pick-me-up.
We’re currently sitting on the grass, on the blanket we brought as Paislee plays with her toys in between Brad’s legs.
He’s sitting back perched up on his hands, asThe Wigglesperform on stage.
As I sit here, watching him—because let’s be real, I’m not really watching the show when I have this handsome man beside me— I think about the year that went by without being with him. How far one weekend alone with him in the woods got us. Where this will lead to, I’m not entirely sure, but all I know is that I’m thankful for where we’re at today. Because even just a moment with him, it’s made me happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life.
Looking behind me, I see his hand splayed on the ground. I inch my hand closer and subtly lace my fingers through his. He doesn’t move away, which only makes it better.
Itwouldn’t be obvious to anyone else walking by but to us, we know exactly what this is. My heart jumps at the feeling.
I swallow deeply as I try to steady my breath.
“Hey.” Brad nudges my shoulder with his. “What are you thinking about over there?”
I look away, trying and failing at acting nonchalant about touching him. Thinking fast, I reach out and grab an apple that we brought.
“Just thinking about how cool you are.” I shrug, throwing the apple in the air and catching it.
His eyebrows shoot up. “Wow. You never would’ve admitted to that when we met.”
“Shut up,” I laugh, biting into the fruit.
“No seriously, I vividly remember you telling me I had quote,‘no cool points’.” He laughs freely, nudging me with his knee. His fingers squeeze mine, pressed on the blanket like our little secret.
“I mean, I’m still deciding on how many you’ve got so I wouldn’t push your luck.” I offer him a bite of my apple, and sit back wide eyed as he leans in, and bites it as I hold it.
