It was an inappropriate time, but I marveled at the tone she always had for her son. Where her patience was nonexistent for everyone else, it was infinite with Blake. The situation we were in was an accident, and precarious at best, but the one thing I was certain of . . . she was a damn good mother.
His tears immediately dried. He fisted her shirt and grinned up at her.
“You thought we’d left you,” she said, with a tender smile.
“Ass.”
“We would’ve been if we’d abandoned you here.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. He climbed into my lap and blinked up at me.
“Love.”
I brushed his hair back. “I love you too, little dude.”
“Want to hang out with Patrick while Mommy takes a shower?”
He stared at her. I frowned. “I thought we were taking a shower.”
“You should’ve been quicker.”
“That’s a first,” I grumbled.
When she stood, a wet spot stained the bed. I gave her a smug look, this pride I didn’t understand filling me. I’d done that to her.
“You’re—”
“An ass. I know.” Her cheeks were flushed, though her eyes were mischievous. “How’d your hair get so messed up?”
A little growl escaped her. “Your shorts are on backward.”
I looked down. Oops. “I was in . . . a hurry.”
She was already gone.
“Think we should stay here? Forget about going back?”
Blake punched me in the thigh. I shrugged.
“Seems like a good idea.” I scooped him up. “Let’s go see what we can find to eat. While we snack, you can tell me how to get your mommy to like me the way she does you. Deal?”
I held up my fist and he bumped it. This kid. Up until a few weeks ago, I’d only seen Blake at family dinners. Somehow, we’d become buds as I sought more and more one-on-one time with him. Life was full, crazy, and unpredictable with a toddler, and my life had been one of order and structure before two weeks ago when I was first asked to watch Blake. And now? What was mind-blowing? I didn’t want to be away from him half the time either. As if Marlow would allow that.
“Mind putting in a good word for me? Tell her you really, really like me.”
He gave me a silly smile.
“Hey, are you coming to work tomorrow? We’ve got a ton of shi—stuff to catch up on.”
Blake pumped his fist in the air.
“I used to be that enthusiastic.”
I grabbed a bowl of blueberries and set them on the counter beside him. He plucked one from the bowl and smashed it against his mouth.
“No wonder Ella likes you so much. You’re a charming little dude.”
“Dude.”
I picked him up and held him above my head like he was an airplane. “Let’s go tell Mommy I taught you another new word.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Marlow
“Can you meet me?”
“Did Whitley do something to you? What were you thinking going away with him anyway?” Andrew lectured like he was the older sibling.
“Half an hour? Alone.” He let out a long sigh. “You know what? Forget it. We can talk some other time.”
“Stop it.”
“I got used to you always being there for me whenever. I forget sometimes you have a family of your own now.”
“If you came around more often, you wouldn’t.” The jangling of keys sounded. “Do we need cocktails or coffee?”
“Coffee.”
“See you in thirty.”
I pushed into the coffee shop, and Andrew stood.
“Hey.” I shrugged off my coat.
He picked up Blake. “There’s my favorite nephew.” My brother bent to kiss my cheek.
“What was that for?”
“I see the beach hasn’t changed you,” he said wryly.
I dropped into a chair. “That’s the problem. All of you want me to be somebody I’m not.”
“You’re right. I want you to be happy, and you aren’t.” He settled Blake on his lap.
“I want you to talk to Dad about something.”
“I’m not getting in the middle of it. Whatever you’re pissed at him about, leave me out.”
“He hasn’t told you?”
His ears turned pink. “Yeah, he did. He’s devastated over this.”
“I thought you weren’t getting involved.”
He quirked his mouth to the side. “With this family, it’s impossible not to.”
“The desk in his office. I want him to give it to Holt. For the garage.”
He narrowed his gaze. “You did paint it.”
“Will you help me or not?” Guessed they’d been talking about the mystery painter.
“He used to sit behind it. His feet wouldn’t even touch the floor.”
“Once, he was the banker. I came in to open an account.” I found my lips turning up.
“He denied you.”
I laughed. “You two loved giving me a hard time.”
“Still do.” He winked. “Why don’t you talk to Dad about it? Maybe you could discuss the other things while you’re at it.”
I fiddled with a napkin on the table. “I don’t know if I’m ready yet.”
“At least hear him out.”
“The way he did after your wedding?” I stiffened.
He drew in a breath, carefully considering his words. “None of us handled that situation very well.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You should’ve told us she was in your life.”
“I don’t know everything that happens in yours,” I said, voice rising.
“What you don’t know is because you choose not to.” He bounced Blake, the picture of calm while I was unraveling.
“You’re my best friend. At least you used to be.”
I missed the friendship I'd had with my brother. We’d been close, even as adults. Andrew had been single and Jack was deployed so often that we’d had plenty of time to hang out. I’d pulled back after Jack’s death, but my brother had never stopped checking in.
He appeared genuinely surprised. “You’re mine too.”
But then Trish had come along. I was happy for him, but didn’t like the wedge she’d put between us. He had a family of his own now and not so much time for me. Sometimes it felt like just getting together for coffee was a big ask.
“Then get the desk for your brother.”
“Talk to Dad for your brother.” He took a sip of coffee. “While you’re at it, talk to your brother for your
