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“Matty can’t walk very far, so we’ll have to take a route that’s okay for the stroller.”
“Or I could carry him. I’ll even use the sex swing sling.”
Kaylin choked out a laugh, and it was good to see her smiling again.
“Did you really go to a fetish club?”
“I suppose it depends on your definition of ‘fetish.’” Nyx catered to all tastes. “But none of the women there called me a selfish jackass, so there’s that.”
“I realise I’ve never met your ex-girlfriend, but I know I don’t like her.” Kaylin wiped up a stray lump of banana. “Want me to cook dinner tonight? I only learned from books and the TV, but I make an edible chicken parmesan.”
“I don’t think anyone’s ever cooked for me in this kitchen before.”
Although Emmy had made him coffee once. Right after she picked his lock and showed up in his bedroom with an amused smile on her face. She’d been completely unrepentant, as he recalled.
“Do you have breadcrumbs? Garlic powder?” Kaylin asked.
“I’d say that’s highly unlikely.”
“Then I’d better make a shopping list.”
30
KAYLIN
Living with Cesare had been hard, but in some ways, staying with Nico was harder. With Cesare, there had been no heat sizzling through my veins, no temptation to keep sneaking forbidden glances. Only a vague attraction that turned to cold hate and finally to resignation.
Nico was head-turningly handsome. No kidding, a woman had twisted her ankle when we were walking in the forest and she’d been looking at him rather than at where she was going. Her husband had caught her before she caused herself a serious injury, thank goodness, and Nico had remained oblivious as he pointed out a squirrel to Matty. We’d found a better carrier before we left, and now Matty was riding around the toy store on Nico’s back, pointing at everything and chattering excitedly to anyone who would listen. And also calling Nico “Dada” again. Super awkward.
“Nico,” I reminded Matty. “Neeeee-co.”
“Dada Nico?”
Nico smothered a chuckle.
“It’s nothing personal,” I explained. “Cesare never spent much time with him, and we didn’t get out often, so he started calling any man with dark hair ‘Dada.’”
“I bet that irked Cesare.”
“Oh, it did. Hell hath no fury like a self-proclaimed alpha male whose son gets him confused with the chauffeur.”
“A fragile ego is a dangerous thing.” Nico picked up a furry red-and-yellow caterpillar from the shelf. “How about this one? Is it similar to the snail?”
“Shelley was blue and white and twice the size.”
“They both eat plants.”
“I don’t think Matty cares about his plushie’s diet.” I pulled something fluffy and blue out of the bargain basket. “Maybe this one?”
“It looks like an Ebola virus. Let’s not give the boy nightmares.”
“Well, do you have a better idea?”
Nico thought for a moment, and a woman nearly pushed her cart into me.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. “He’s just…so…so…”
“I know,” I whispered back.
