Alex looked up to see a little blond head peering out over the ladder he was perched on. How the hell had he gotten up there?
“Help me, Mom. It’s too high.”
“I got it,” Alex muttered, climbing the back of the truck and reaching the boy within seconds.
“What are you doing up here?” he said firmly.
Tears welled in the boy’s eyes, and his lip quivered. “I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “I was trying to help my friend.”
While that made no sense, Alex softened a little at the boy’s wide-eyed fear. “It’s okay. Come on.” He reached out a hand and the boy jumped into his arms, clinging to Alex for dear life.
Alex bit back a chuckle as he made his way back down. The blonde was waiting at the base of the ladder.
“Calvin James Knight. Are you okay?” Alex handed the boy to his mother, who immediately buried his face in her neck.
“It’s okay, baby,” she soothed. “Thank you, Mister…”
“Alex. Alex MacDonald. Some people call me Mac. You can call me whatever.”Shut up! You sound like a blithering idiot.
“Alex,” she said. “I’m sorry about that. What do you say, Cal?”
“Thank you for saving me, Mr. Alex.” He was trying valiantly not to cry, and Alex’s heart went out to him.
“No sweat, neighbor. Wanna go get a sticker? You earned it climbing up so high.” That made the boy perk up and smile.
“Yeah. Put me down, Mom.” As soon as she did, he ran off to catch up with his classmates, leaving them standing in the empty bay alone.
“So, I guess we’re neighbors? That’s so weird I’ve never seen you before,” she said, heading toward the lobby.
He followed alongside. “Yeah, I’ve lived there a year and haven’t met anyone on the floor. Do you know any of the others?”
There were four condos per floor, each taking up a corner of the building. Alex was kitty-corner to the little boy and his mother.
“Yes. An older couple lives in 15-2. They don’t get out much. And 15-4 is a single guy who travels a lot. He and my husband were friends. I’m Julia by the way. Julia Knight. Some people call me Jules. You can call me whatever.” She smiled and stuck out a slender hand.
He laughed as he took her hand in his. Gorgeous and funny. Dangerous combo. He didn’t see a wedding ring, but she’d just said she was married, so that answered that. Bad business to get involved with a neighbor anyway.
“Nice to finally meet you,” he said.
They separated when they reached the front lobby. The teacher was rounding everyone up, explaining the rules for walking back to the preschool. They tumbled out the door, all holding hands and screaming thank you.
Alex and Garrett stood at the front counter and waved goodbye, fake smiles plastered on their faces. As soon as the last one made it out the door, Alex turned to his friend. “Andthat’swhy I’ll never have kids.”
“Famous last words, bro,” Garrett said. “You better knock on wood.”
CHAPTER TWO
Julia loved that she could work from home, but it had its disadvantages. Contrary to what everyone thought, it wasn’t just bonbons and day-drinking in pajamas all day. It was difficult to convince people that although she set her own schedule, that didn’t mean she was always available.
Three days a week, she enjoyed two hours of uninterrupted work time while Cal was at preschool. Those hours were precious, but because of her freedom, she was often roped into—or guilted into—chaperoning most events and activities.
It was temporary. She knew that. Calvin would start kindergarten next year, and then she’d have more quiet hours to get things done. In the meantime, she wanted to be there for him as much as possible. Especially now that she was his only parent.
Julia opened the door of their condo and ushered Cal inside.
“Did you have fun at the fire station?” she asked her son, who had shucked his coat, scarf, and mittens onto the floor and was already moving to play with his toy cars. “Uh, I don’t think so. Come pick up your coat.”
“It was so cool,” Cal said, returning to put away his things. “Mr. Alex said I was brave.”
