But they didn’t see what I saw. He was adorable, even if it was unconventionally so, and in moments like these, he was even more so. I hated how the town judged him by his cover, when the man beneath the hard exterior was the warmest person I’d ever met.
My hand slid up and swiped over his cheek so that I could slide a thumb over his temple. Hector finally looked at me. His dark eyes landed on mine, and his brow furrowed as he studied me.
It wasn’t hard to see the longing in those deep browns, but there was uncertainty too. Hector probably doubted my attraction to him, but that was okay. I didn’t mind taking the time to show him just how real my emotions were.
Plus, I didn’t mind keeping the status quo for a little longer. After rushing into my last terrible relationship, keeping things slow was probably a good idea.
“You have to come,” I told him. With one more swipe over his scar, I dropped my hand and took his. “They’re expecting you, and you already got them a present.”
I pulled on his hand to lead him to the table with the wrapped presents. I liked that he let me lead despite probably having the ability to bench-press me if he wanted to. Hector was probably only a few inches tallerthan my five feet nine, but he was easily a hundred pounds heavier than me. Not all of it was muscle, and some might call his physique a “dad bod,” but that didn’t mean he was weak. I’d seen the man carry an armful of boxes taller than he was all at once because he didn’t want to make two trips.
“Look, are you not going to give Junior his present?” I said and gestured to the gift box Hector had meticulously wrapped last night. For a man who looked so rough, he was surprisingly particular about things like this.
“You could bring it with you. Maybe it’s better if I don’t go. Wouldn’t want to scare the kid on his own birthday, after all.”
“Junior isn’t scared of you. He always giggles and asks you to pick him up when he catches sight of you.”
“It’s only because I’m the only one who lets him smack them on their face,” Hector grumbled, but there was a gentle curve in his eyes as he thought about the baby boy.
I’d learned Hector had been married once. He was divorced now, which was good news for me, but I wondered why he never had children when he obviously loved them so much. It was a real shame, since he would make a great father. There was so much warmth and love underneath the hardness he showed the world, and I wished he didn’t have to keep it so close to his heart.
“That’s not the only reason. You’re the only onewho lets him tug on your beard too,” I teased, and it got a laugh out of Hector just as I’d hoped.
“Only when I grow it out, which isn’t often these days.” He rubbed his recently shaved smooth chin. “You think he’ll recognize me without the facial hair?”
“Well, there’s only one way to find that out, isn’t there? Now, let’s go,” I said and hooked my arm through his. He didn’t fight me and only grabbed our presents before letting me drag him out of the apartment.
The Monroe house was only a fifteen-minute walk, and with it being such a nice September evening, we decided strolling there would be a nice change of pace.
It was rare to see Hector out of the diner. While I was sure he had hours hung up somewhere, The Diner was basically open all hours of the day. If Hector was awake, then the diner was open.
The man never took a break or a vacation. It was like he lived for the diner. I’d like to think I was helping him expand his world by dragging him to these activities recently.
When we arrived on the correct street, we didn’t even have to check the address since we could just follow the sound of laughter.
The backyard was filled with bodies, most of whom I knew from the diner.
“Hey! Gramps said you guys were coming. Glad you made it!” Sam greeted us the moment we walked through the gate. He looked between Hector and me, breaking out into a huge smile. His gaze finallylanded on Hector as he said, “I’m really glad you’re here. It’s nice to see you outside of the diner.”
Hector was visibly flustered, and the only noises he seemed capable of making at that moment were semi-high-toned grunts.
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, and mouthed a silent “thank you” to Sam. He was such a sweetheart. He probably didn’t realize just how much it meant to Hector to feel welcome here when he normally felt like the outsider nobody wanted around their town.
Oh, how I wished I could show him just how untrue that was.
“Glad to be here,” Hector finally said when he found his voice. “I got this for the birthday boy.”
Sam grinned and accepted the gift. I placed mine on top of Hector’s. “You guys didn’t have to! As Junior’s favorite unkie, I give you my thanks.”
“You’re still his only uncle.”
Sam’s sister walked up carrying the birthday boy in question. There was no mistaking the exasperation in her voice.
“Doesn’t mean I can’t still be the favorite.” Sam laughed and waved the presents in his hands at his nephew, who giggled. Lana rolled her eyes, but they immediately softened as she looked at her baby.
“Thank you both for coming to celebrate his first. Say hi to Hector and Atlas, Junior,” Lana said and waved one of Junior’s tiny hands. He giggled again.
From the first time I’d met Junior, I’d noticedwhat a happy baby he was. He was always laughing and shooting everyone around him one of his adorable toothless smiles.
