“I was playing it cool at first because I was concerned about Noah, but now that he’s doing better, I figured I’d shoot my shot. Especially since you came today and didn’t have to. So I’m asking again, why did you come?”
My heart raced as I considered lying and using Noah as an excuse again. “I like spending time with Noah,” I said honestly. “And you.”
A satisfied smile slipped across his lips. “If I were to ask you out...”
“If you ask me out, I’ll tell you I have to think about it. At the end of the day, Noah is a client, and like you, he’s my priority.”
“Understood, but I do want you to think about it.”
“Think about what?”
“Going out with me, so when I do ask, you give the right answer.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “And what would be the right answer?” I asked, though I already knew what he would say.
He grinned, smooth and heart-thumpingly sexy. “Yes.”
Chapter 10
Marcus
Every detail about Julia’s appearance had kept my attention today. The white T-shirt and jeans were simple and fit her perfectly. Her thick hair, pulled away from her face as usual, was styled in an Afro puff at the back, showing off its length and thickness.
I kept catching myself staring at her lips when she smiled or watching her eyes when she laughed at Noah’s antics. Every time she crouched down to let him show her something, I focused on the curve of her neck and the way she tilted her head as she listened to him chatter on in detail about one topic or another related to the animals.
His love for animals made me think he was destined to become a veterinarian. But isn’t that what every parent did when their kid showed interest in a topic? They?—
My thoughts screeched to a halt.
Noah wasn’t my kid, and in a few weeks, he would be traveling to Tennessee to live with family. I ignored the sadness that engulfed me whenever I considered his departure and returned my attention to the gorgeous woman in my company.For weeks I had been in survival mode, trying to keep myself and Noah afloat. Today, watching how he interacted with Julia in a new environment and seeing how comfortable we all were together shifted my thought processes.
Noah was doing better, which freed my mind to contemplate other matters—specifically, Julia and the attraction simmering between us.
“Should we go see the sheep?” she asked, consulting the map.
“Sheep! Yes!” Noah pumped his fist in the air.
“Sounds like a plan,” I replied, as if we had a choice when he reacted so enthusiastically to the suggestion.
The sheep were significantly less aggressive about the food, which seemed to disappoint Noah. He fed a few of them and then said, “They’re not as much fun.”
“They’re definitely more polite,” Julia remarked.
We moved through the rest of the petting zoo, spending time with the chickens before heading to the pond to feed the ducks. Then we came upon the area where they gave pony rides. Behind the enclosure, two kids were already on the horses. They wore helmets, and employees walked beside them.
Noah turned hopeful eyes in my direction. “Can I ride a pony?”
“Sure.” I was starting to realize it was very hard to say no to this kid.
After I paid for his ride, one of the employees helped Noah onto a gentle brown pony named Chocolate. With his Robin cape draped over the animal’s back, he looked absolutely thrilled, flashing a grin in my direction.
Julia and I remained outside the fence and watched him go around the little track. Every time he passed us, he waved, and we waved back.
“He’s having the time of his life,” she said with amusement.
“I like seeing him enjoy normal kid stuff again.”
“He can because of you.”
