I look up at Jess and stop mixing the salad. The guys look at me. This is probably my cue to go check on her.
Leo motions his head to the door.
“Have a quickie, it calms the nerves,” Max offers his advice.
“Have to agree—sound advice,” Leo adds.
Jess groans. “Max. Is there ever a situation where your advice isn’t related to sex?”
“What’s sex?” Theo asks as he runs into the kitchen.
Okay, this minute is quickly swallowing me whole.
Jess curses under her breath. “Forgot we have a young one present,” she mutters.
Thankfully, I am saved by the sound of paws running across my new shiny floor. Not sure if I should be pissed that my new floor is taking a beating or thank the dog as in this moment my son’s eyes light up and his face beams. Most of all, he is distracted from the question he just asked.
“Settle down, Romeo,” Abby calls out as she walks in behind Romeo. The dog has managed to squirm his way into visits at my place so his owner can enjoy my tongue and dick all through the night and into the wee hours of the morning.
Abby gives me a nervous smile and bats her lashes. I want so desperately to pull her into a hug and kiss, but Theo is right here and that would confuse him.
I wink at her, before joining Theo who is hugging Romeo. “Hey, kiddo. Romeo thought he would come and visit you this weekend. Would you like that?”
Theo looks up at me and nods as he squeals in joy. Within two minutes Romeo and Theo are playing together in the living room.
Finally, when Theo isn’t looking, I manage to grab Abby’s hand while we stand behind the counter. I lean into Abby to whisper, “You okay?” I squeeze her hand wanting to re-assure her.
She tilts her head gently in my direction. “Yeah… seems like Theo only cares about Romeo.” Abby gives me a half-smile.
“It’s a win.”
A few minutes later, we’re all sitting and eating around my dining table.
“The new furniture is nice. Seems very durable for certain activities,” Leo flashes me a knowing look because he most definitely has a crass thought in his head.
“Yes, it is very durable for activities that are hard and good,” Abby offers with a closed-lip smile before placing a helping of salad on her plate. She surprises me with her feisty wit, I love it.
“Ah, so Lucas can deliver,” Leo comments as he leans back in his chair.
I throw a piece of garlic bread at Leo and it makes Theo’s head pop up with a cheeky grin. I’m not setting great examples today.
Theo speaks with his mouth full, oblivious to our conversation. “Can Romeo sleep in my room?” Theo asks.
I look at Abby awkwardly. “Well, Romeo doesn’t live here. He has his own home.”
Geez, Theo looks like I just told him Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy all died in a car crash. This look will haunt me.
Abby catches on and jumps in. She angles her body to look at Theo on the same height. “But you know what? Romeo would love a sleepover. I can come back for him tomorrow,” Abby offers and looks up at me with hope she’s helping the situation.
“Yay,” Theo bounces in his seat. His attention span quickly turns to something else. “What’s this?” Theo is curious as he points to Abby’s wrist with a bandage. Someone’s chihuahua went a little crazy the other day and Abby was on the receiving end. This time she phoned me, and I fixed her up after a thorough full-body examination.
“Just a little owie from saving animals,” Abby explains as she looks at Theo.
“Oh. You should ask my daddy to look at it. He’s a doctor,” Theo mentions proudly which melts my heart.
“I know,” Abby answers with a smile.
“He can give you a check-up,” Theo adds.
