“Good.” My father seems satisfied. “I’ve been wonderingfor the last two years where Lola got her stare-down technique for bedtime negotiation from, and it seems to be you.”
It causes the corner of Hayes’s mouth to stretch. “Probably did get that from me.”He’s proud of that. “We’ve discussed implementing quarterly reviews for her stuffed bunnies, too.”Wow, he is breaking out the jokes. “Now, hopefully, we will have a nice afternoon. My mother, obviously, has only just met Lola and is already crazy in love. We can all get to know one another, and Lola will have a great day.”
“She’s the best,” my mom gushes.
“Perfect. Pleasantries over, and we can check that off our list,” I’m thrilled to announce and hop up with intent to make drinks.
Hayes gently touches my hand, a feathery touch but just enough to stop me from moving. “Why don’t you go on ahead with your mother. I’ll show your father the place and chat.”
I sway my gaze between the men, or rather, I squint my eyes at Hayes, attempting to digest his thoughts.It’s pointless. The man is insistent on whatever he’s up to.
“Sure.”
My mom and I leave them be and head into the kitchen. We can’t hear them as they begin to walk around the penthouse. I feel the tug on my sweater and turn to my mom.
“You two doing well?”
“Yeah. We have everything figured it out with Lola, so it’s going fine.”
She raises her brows at me. “Not what I mean.”
I can’t hide a blush from my mom. It’s not that we’re best friends like some mother-daughter pairs are, but we’re close enough. I stay diplomatic.
“Mmhmm.” She grins. “Anyways, his mom?”
I begin checking the stack of plates on the counter I pulled out earlier and take inventory of the count. “Actually, really okay. She completely lights up with Lola, and I see the way Hayes is with her. I have a better understanding of her relationship with Hayes. Obviously, she’s protective of him, maybe more than most, now that his father has passed. But in the end, I’m Lola’s mother, and she respects that.”
“It will be nice to have someone join the grandparent club. A shame she lives so far away.”
“I think she’ll visit more.”
My mom leans against the counter, taking in her surroundings. “How’s the office?”
“Also fine. Or are you trying to pry and ask how it is at the officewithHayes there?”She has a Cheshire smile in response. “We’re on the down-low. I mean, people know we have a child together, but we don’t make a point to display it. Well, most of the time.”
“Not what I meant. I’m just pointing out that there are some power dynamics that maybe a mom should worry about. Age, money, and a high role in the company where you work. You’re an adult, it just crosses my mind.”
When she states it like that, then it triggers me slightly. For the next few minutes, while we check the table settings, I ponder more.Perhaps I haven’t held the lens from that angle.Maybe I should do more. After all, in the first few days, he was adamant that lawyers get involved. He has a lot to hold over my head.
Yet I feel completely safe.
Especially when I see him reenter the living area with a reassuring grin, my father next to him, in good spirits.
Hayes walks straight to me while my father joins my mom, who has just headed back to the kitchen. I cross myarms and just stick my chin out as Hayes arrives in front of me.
“What was all that about?”
His hand touches my arm in a soothing gesture. “Nothing for you to worry about. Just a little man-to-man conversation.”
I roll my eyes. “When you say that, then maybe I should worry,” I joke.
He encourages me to join him on his side to walk together with his arm wrapped around me. “Trust me, you never need to worry when you’re around me.”
And I don’t think he’s wrong.
Because I’ve already begun to feel that way for a while now.
21
