My gaze peers up when I see Lucas walk through the door with a little boy who I have only seen in pictures. Immediately, our eyes catch and give each other the what-are-you-doing-here look. We texted this morning, but nobody mentioned brunch plans.
“By the look on your face, you were not expecting this surprise visitor,” Jess mentions.
“Nope. Not at all.” My face is frozen on Theo and taking in the little boy. Almost a spitting image of Lucas except his hair is browner and has a few curls.
Lucas keeps a hand on Theo’s back as he walks our way, and his eyes don’t leave me, nor his bright grin.
“Good morning, ladies,” Lucas greets us. Theo kneels down to Romeo.
“Morning, Dr. Kade. What brings you here?” Jess smiles at this interaction.
“Indeed, what brings you here?” I have to reiterate.
Lucas awkwardly rubs his jaw. “Theo wanted French toast so here we are.”
“Grab a chair, Doctor,” Jess offers and gives me an exaggerated closed-lip smile.
“Uhh,” Lucas sounds.
“Doggy. I want to stay with the doggy,” Theo pipes up, and I completely forgot about Romeo. Looking down, Theo is petting Romeo a little hard, but the dog doesn’t seem to mind and instead rolls to his back for a belly rub.
“That’s Romeo, buddy.” Lucas leans down and speaks at eye level with Theo. “This is Jess and Abby, friends of Daddy. Will you say hi?”
Theo doesn’t look up but does mutter hi before going back down to the floor to pet Romeo.
“Looks like we’re crashing your brunch, if you don’t mind?” Lucas asks and looks at me without blinking. I give him a soft reassuring nod.
He flops himself onto the chair and indicates to the waiter.
I feel someone tugging my shirt, and I look down to see Theo. Immediately a warm natural smile forms on my face.
“Hey there,” I greet the boy.
Theo points at Romeo. “He doesn’t say woof.”
“Not now, no. He’s a little tired, and Romeo knows to use his inside voice since we’re inside,” I explain.
“Does he eat French toast?” Theo continues to question.
“He loves French toast. Is that your favorite food?”
Theo nods.
“Abby is a veterinarian, buddy. Do you know what a veterinarian does?” Lucas asks as he watches our interaction, which is understandable.
Theo shakes his head no. “She is a doctor like Daddy, but for animals.”
Theo exclaims in excitement, “Do you-do you help lizbards?”
I have to smile. “Lizards? Yeah, I do help the occasional lizard. They’re like miniature dinosaurs.” His face lights up.
We go back and forth about animals until the waitress brings food to our table. Theo stays busy between eating, coloring a menu, and petting Romeo. All the while, I can’t help giving soft eyes to Theo’s father who touches my thigh on the occasional basis under the table, which zaps newfound energy and excitement through me.
“He is adorable, Lucas,” Jess mentions as she eats her eggs.
“Definitely a future heartbreaker, for sure,” I have to add with a half-smile.
Lucas leans back in his chair with his orange juice. “Probably. But I’m not letting him date like ever. Anyhow, how was Matchbox last night?” Obviously, Lucas had to stay home with Theo.
