“Works for me,” I agreed.
I watched them walk down the sidewalk, with Noah waving over Marcus’s shoulder. “Bye, Miss Julia! See you tomorrow!”
“See you tomorrow,” I called back.
I watched Batman carry Robin to the vehicle and put him in the backseat. I was so focused on them, I didn’t realize I was staring until Marcus had shut the door and paused to look at me. I shook out of my trance and waved.
He lifted one hand and then climbed behind the wheel.
I didn’t wait until he drove off. I had been standing there long enough, so I entered my building and climbed the stairs up to the second floor. I walked briskly to my desk, ignoring Gina, who thankfully was on the phone.
I had plans this weekend. A day at the petting zoo, with Marcus and Noah.
I groaned quietly. What was I doing? I should not be getting involved with a handsome real estate agent and his adorable pseudo-son, but here we were. That’s exactly what I was doing.
I sat at my desk and completed my reports, including a short summary of the progress I was seeing in Noah. As I wrote my notes, a smile crept onto my face.
He really had gone through significant change since the first time we met. This was the part of my job that I loved. The reason I got up in the morning and fought so hard for these kids.
The transformation made it all worthwhile, even the uncomfortable parts I didn’t like to deal with that broke my heart, such as the abuse. Seeing them grow and become happier human beings was an immense reward. Seeing their parents or guardians also transform from being apprehensive to relaxed parents was something I appreciated. I could see Marcus becoming more comfortable as he parented Noah, and it was a beautiful thing.
Because of that, I suspected Marcus was going to have ahard time letting him go when the school year ended. I was starting to think he wasn’t going to let him go at all.
Chapter 9
Julia
Ilost track of how many times I changed clothes for the trip to the petting zoo. I finally settled on a white T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
Normally, I wore my hair in a bun during the work week, but I allowed myself more flexibility on the weekend. I had pulled my hair into an Afro puff at the back and added lip gloss to my lips and a little mascara to my eyes to round out my look. Overall, my appearance was casual and practical, hopefully signaling that I wasn’t trying too hard.
Leanne appeared in the doorway. “I see you finally decided on an outfit.”
“I didn’t take that long,” I said, turning to check my back in the mirror. Booty looked good.
“This is me you’re talking to. It’s obvious you’re trying to impress the hot daddy you’ve been eating ice cream with all week.”
“First of all, I never said he was hot.”
“You didn’t have to. Every time you talk about them—especially him—you get this starry-eyed look on your face. Anyway, I came by to say have fun on your date.”
“It’s not a date! We’re going to the petting zoo, and there will be a child present.”
“Oh, excuse me. Have fun on your little outing to the petting zoo with a child present.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively before disappearing down the hallway.
I shook my head, laughing to myself. She was right about me taking extra time to get ready, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of knowing she was correct.
Grabbing my crossbody bag, I exited the bedroom. On the way out, I said goodbye to Leanne and the kids and hopped in my car for the drive to the petting zoo. When I arrived at the entrance, Marcus and Noah hadn’t arrived yet.
Standing alone, I had time to question my decision as I watched families and single moms stroll in with their little ones. What in the world was I doing here? I should be home doing laundry like I had planned. Instead, I was waiting with bated breath for Marcus and little Noah to arrive.
“Miss Julia!”
I turned to see Noah’s excited face as he ran toward me, Marcus following at a slower pace behind him. As usual, Noah was wearing his Robin costume, but Marcus wasn’t Batman today. He wore dark jeans, a gray T-shirt that fit way too well, and sunglasses that hid his eyes. Dang, he looked good.
“Hey there!” I crouched down, catching Noah as he barreled into me and wrapped his arms around my neck. His enthusiastic hug made me a little emotional. He was so happy to see me, and there was something about his childlike, open, unadulterated joy that hit me in the feels. “Are you ready to see some goats?”
His smile was all teeth. “So ready! I want to see their eyes. Did you know their pupils are shaped like rectangles?”
