He sounds an awful lot like me.
“Not much, my life consists of work and taking care of Zoi and being a babysitter on Friday night for Ethan and Tyler, so they can have some time before the baby is born.”
“I heard they were having another baby. Tell them I said congratulations.”
“I will, but you can do it yourself if you ever show up for a family dinner. My mother is itching to drag you out of your work cave. Fair warning, when she’s on a mission, there’s no stopping her.”
“Consider me warned,” Tucker chuckled.
“How long are you planning on staying in New York?”
“Another day or two, depending on how my meeting goes tomorrow.”
“You said you’re here for a work thing, right?”
“Yeah, a couple of the other directors are coordinating training between their guys and mine taking, place in a few months.”
“Wow, doesn’t that sound like fun,” Lucas said sarcastically.
“You can join us if you want. I have connections.” He winked.
Lucas shook his head. “Nope, I’m good, thanks. I took a break from all of that. I have other things to worry about now.” He looked down at Zoi who was painting her face with tomato sauce. “As messy as she is right now, she needs me more than anyone else.” He grabbed a couple more wipes and started cleaning her up as much as he could.
“I can understand that.” Tucker smiled and for a spilt-second Lucas thought he had a beautiful smile. He studied Tucker’s face and noticed the dimples in his cheeks that went with his handsome face, or maybe the better word to use was charming.
I wonder what else he has that’s charming? Holy shit! Where the fuck did that come from?
Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he focused on Zoi trying to distract himself by cleaning her up. She fussed a bit but still allowed him to do what he needed. He smiled looking down at her; she was his pride and joy. Zoi stopped fussing then and looked at Tucker when she heard him chuckle. She stared at him for a few seconds as if she’d just noticed that he was sitting there. She turned her head and looked at Lucas then back to Tucker and did something he never expected.
She reached out her hands towards him for him to take her and said, “Up.”
Lucas looked at Tucker who had the same shocked expression on his face. Everyone knew of Zoi’s temperament and that she didn’t like to be held by anyone that she didn’t recognize. It’d been a while since the last time she saw Tucker.
Maybe she thinks he’s Julian, they are brothers after all, with similar facial features. But they are definitely different when it comes to their physique.
Lucas mentally shook his thoughts and paid attention to his daughter who was starting to fuss the longer Tucker took to pick her up. He looked at Lucas who nodded that it was okay before plucking her out of his arms. Instantly, she stopped fussing and peered into Tucker’s face for a few seconds before resting her head on his shoulder with her little arms wrapped around his neck.
The only thing Lucas could think while watching as his daughter got comfortable in Tucker’s arms waswhat the hell?
* * *
