Brant winks.“Only if I get permission first.”He turns to me.And there it is… that look.The one that warms my insides.That makes me want him to play with us.
“What are you doing here, though?”I ask.
He gestures across the park.“I have Aria with me.”
I follow his gaze to an older couple stretched out on a blanket, their eyes on a little girl twirling around with a doll clutched in her hand.She’s talking expressively like she’s putting on a show.
“Is that your niece?”I ask.
He nods, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.“Yeah.My sister’s pulling a double today.”
“She’s adorable.”I glance up at him.
“She is,” he says, watching her like she’s the only thing in the world.Then, quietly says, “Family’s everything.”
The way he says it hits me deep in the heart.Because I know what he means.I see it in the way he looks at Aria, how his whole face softens.And it makes me think of Dad and the years we lost.I’ve tried to prove I didn’t need his approval, that I could make it on my own.But standing here, watching Brant saying, “family’s everything,” I wonder if I’ve got it all wrong.I look away before he can see it in my face.
Just then, Scarlet saunters up, fake-annoyed but grinning.“Okay, rude.You ditched me for way too long.”
“Blame Brant,” I say, with an innocent smile.“He interrupted our game.I was winning, by the way.”
He raises an eyebrow.“You were not.”
“Was too.”
“You cheated,” he says, stepping closer, and his fingers brush my arm, barely there, but enough to set off a shiver I can’t control.“I saw you peeking around the tree.”
He smirks knowingly.
Before I can fire back, Scarlet peers over my shoulder.“Dusty, Aria’s here.”
Brant glances back at me and gestures with his head for us to follow.I watch Brant go after Dusty, trying not to let my pulse trip over itself.
We follow him, and as we near the picnic setup, I finally get a good look at his parents.His dad’s tall, solid, with the same jawline Brant has, minus the slightly crooked nose that somehow makes Brant more attractive.His mother’s already smiling at us, elegant and warm, like she’s been expecting us all along.
Brant gestures toward the couple.“Mom, Dad, this is Dr.Regan Thomas.”
His father studies me for half a second, then his eyebrows lift.“Thomas?As in… Fraser Thomas?”
“Yes.He’s my dad.Do you know him?”
His father lights up.“Oh, yes.We worked together briefly.Heard wonderful things about you.”
A flicker of surprise and warmth spreads through me.“That’s nice to hear.It's a small world.”
Beside me, Brant shifts his weight, and his jaw tightens slightly.He’s looking at the ground now instead of at his father, and there’s a tension in his body that wasn’t there a moment ago.Like he’d rather be anywhere else.I catch it right as his dad adds, “Didn’t realize you were mentoring her.”
The look he gets from his dad is priceless.Brant tenses.
“He’s been amazing,” I say before I can think better of it.“Knowledgeable.Supportive.I’m lucky to have him.”
Brant’s jaw tics, his gaze snapping to mine like he’s not sure whether to be flattered or furious.It’s intense, and it makes me clasp my hands tightly together.
“He’s a sweetheart.Would you like to join us for lunch?”his mom asks.
My first thought is to decline, but before I can speak, Scarlet jumps in.“The kids are off playing.Why not combine our picnics?”
“If you don’t mind,” Brant’s mom says, hesitant.“We don’t want to intrude.”
