Chapter 37: Can You Be My Daddy?
Allie
Since the nutjob stalker was safely behind bars Thursday morning, Nico and I agreed that it was safe for Gracie to go to preschool. He surprised me by asking to go with me to drop her off before we both returned to the house for the day. He and the boys were going to finish the rehearsal that had been interrupted the afternoon before, and I was going to take some footage of them for the promotional blitz that would be used to kick off the upcoming album.
It wasn't until we got out of my car at the preschool that I realized he might have had an ulterior motive for joining us this morning.
Nico helped Gracie out of her booster seat in the back while I grabbed her backpack and lunchbox. He held her hand as they walked around to join me at the front of the car, and Nico slipped his free hand in mine so that the three of us walked hand-in-hand up to the building. I noticed Nico scanning the parking lot and wondered if he was worried about paparazzi. When I quietly asked him about it, he glanced down at me with a smirk, before bending to murmur in my ear.
"Not particularly, Sunshine. I'm actually just wondering which of these assholes is Liam."
I stopped walking and stared at him with my mouth hanging open, and he and Gracie stopped to wait for me to rejoin them. I narrowed my eyes at him and scowled, while he stared back at me with a brow arched.
"Coming, Sunshine? We don't want our princess to be late," he said with a cocky grin.
"I can't believe you," I hissed at him in an undertone as we started walking again. He opened the door for us and ushered us both in ahead of him with an exaggerated bow that made Gracie giggle.
"After you, your Highness," he told her. "And you, my love," he said to me with a wide smile.
I rolled my eyes as I brushed past him. I was relieved to note that Liam wasn't here. Hopefully, he had already dropped off Grayson for the day, and we could avoid an uncomfortable scene. I signed my daughter in for the day and turned to make a quick getaway with Nico. It was not to be.
It was clear that Gracie was excited to introduce her Uncle Nico to all of her friends, and I noticed a number of parents - particularly the mothers - lingering in the lobby for a chance to meet him, too.
Gracie's teacher, Miss Rosa, approached me with a smile. She was an older woman who had worked for the school for years, and she was wonderful with the children.
"Good morning, Allie. I have to say, between Mr. Peretti this morning and his bandmate yesterday, the staff and parents herehave had quite the exciting time of things this week. I have to confess, I'm not familiar with their music, although my daughter is a big fan. Congratulations to you, by the way. I'm very happy for you both. You make a lovely couple, and it's clear that he has Grace's approval."
We both glanced over to the crowd surrounding Nico. He was holding a beaming Gracie in his arms, listening intently as she introduced him to the people standing nearby. I vaguely registered the door buzzer behind me as someone else entered the building.
"Hi Allie." I stiffened slightly as I recognized the voice. Oh shit. I really hoped this wouldn't be awkward.
I turned with a small smile to greet Liam and Grayson. I saw Liam's eyes flicker over toward Nico, holding court with his admirers. Nico hadn't noticed him, and Liam looked back to me with a smile and a quick wink. I stepped aside so that he could get Grayson signed in, and I sent up a silent prayer that Liam wouldn't linger and could leave without Nico being any the wiser. Then Gracie - my dear sweet daughter - threw me under the bus.
"Look Uncle Nico, there's Grayson and his daddy. His daddy and my mommy went on a date. I don't think they'll do that anymore though, since you and Mommy are getting married. Grayson, come meet my Uncle Nico. He and my mommy are gonna get married and we live at his house now! Uncle Nico, can Grayson come see my new house?"
Nico's smile had morphed into a scowl as an oblivious Gracie babbled away, unwittingly twisting the knife of jealousy. I widened my eyes at Nico and gave him a look intended to convey that he needed to bring it down a notch. He rolled his eyes at meand then directed a glare at Liam that would have caused a lesser man to turn tail and run.
To his credit, Liam brushed passed me with a reassuring smile, then approached the group. Nico put Gracie down and she rushed over to welcome Grayson into the circle of friends who had gathered around. I quickly joined them, taking care to stand close to Nico's side. He snaked an arm around my waist and tugged me closer, in a clear gesture of possession. I stifled a huff and rubbed my hand on the small of his back to reassure him. I was a bit perturbed at his little jealous routine, but I knew if the roles were reversed, I would not be happy at all to meet a romantic interest of Nico's, especially one he had been involved with so recently. Liam calmly smiled at Nico and held out his hand.
"Liam Davidson. I've heard a lot of good things about you from Allie and Grace."
Nico stared him down for a moment before grudgingly shaking his hand. I was proud of him when it didn't appear he was doing that macho-bullshit hand squeeze that some guys did when they were trying to appear dominant.
"Nico Peretti. Allie has mentioned you." He gave me a quick side-eye, and I withheld the urge to roll my eyes again.
Liam shot me a quick smile before looking at Nico again. "I understand congratulations are in order. Allie is an incredible woman. You are a very lucky man."
Nico's grip on my waist tightened along with his jaw and I felt the tension running through him.
"Yes, I'm the luckiest man in the world to have Allie and Gracie in my life. They mean everything to me." My heart melteda little at the loving expression on Nico's face as he looked down at me, smiling softly. He gently squeezed my waist, then dropped his arm and stepped back a few inches or so, just enough that I was no longer plastered against his side.
I glanced at Liam, only to find him with a rueful smile on his face.
"Message received, man, but not necessary. Allie already told me she was in love with you. As long as you make her and Grace happy, I'm happy for you both."
At Liam's sincere declaration, I could sense some of Nico's tension easing. Before anyone could say anything more, Gracie came up to us, dragging Grayson by the hand.
"Mommy, Grayson likes to swim. Can he come over to swim in our pool with me?"
