“This guy sounds pretty great. I’d love to meet him one day.”
“He’s dead,” Vale whispered.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Why? It wasn’t your fault he died. It was mine.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Fox told him. “You seem like a capable captain. And I’m sure your friend doesn’t blame you for his death.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“I do.”
“You’re a tutor, right?” Vale asked.
“For now. I’m thinking of making a career change.”
“Why?”
Fox looked at Ava, who was sitting beside him silently watching them talk. “I just need a change.” He didn’t feel the need to explain his actions to Vale just yet. Once they moved their relationship further, he’d tell him.
I wish I could tell him who I am, but will that help what I want to build with him or hurt it in the end?
“I can understand that,” Vale said after a few minutes.
They sat and talked for a few minutes about this and that. Fox was doing his damndest not to flirt with the other man with a teenager sitting next to him and Vale holding his daughter. Just as he had finished eating, Genesis started crying. Fox knew what his baby girl wanted—she’d been patient enough to let him eat, now was her turn.
Quickly cleaning off his hands, he took the baby from Vale and unbuttoned his shirt just enough for her to get to his nipple. Just as he was reaching for one of the burping blankets from her bag, he looked up to see Vale looking at him, and if Fox wasn’t mistaken, his cheeks appeared a bit flushed. As if realizing he was being stared at, Vale cleared his throat and quickly looked out the window, trying to focus on something else.
Vale blushing, that’s new.
Once he was done feeding and burping Genesis and a quick diaper change, they got ready to leave.
“Hey, Bella. Can I get the check and a peach cobbler to go?” Fox asked.
“The checks have already been taken care of. And I knew you’d want a cobbler, so I have it ready for you.”
“You are wonderful. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, thank the captain he paid for everything.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” Fox looked at Vale.
“It wasn’t a bother.”
“How about next time it’s my treat?”
“Whatever.” Vale shrugged. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”
Fox didn’t argue, nor did he say anything when Vale picked up Genesis’s car seat and started walking out of the restaurant with Ava following him.
Fox chuckled.I never knew you could play hard to get, Vale.
Chapter Eight
“So, do you like him or what?”
“Who?” Alistaire quickly looked at Ava out of the corner of his eye before focusing on the road again. “Like who?”
