I’m almost there when I spot Dominique hovering outside the door to the classroom beside mine. “Everything okay?” The bell rings just as the hallway empties. “I thought I saw you and this little guy but wanted to be sure.” He runs a hand over his tightly braided hair.
“Yeah, Mr. Albert is working it out so I can still attend classes with Luis.”
He nods his head like this all makes perfect sense to him. “What do you have second?”
“English.”
“I have a non-schedule. I can take him and chill in the library if you’re cool with that?”
My brows pull together and I worry my bottom lip. “You want to babysit for me?” I ask, making sure I’m hearing him right, because Dominique doesn’t seem the type to want to hang out with a baby.
He shrugs. “Why not? He’s Emilio’s which makes him mine. Don’t be surprised when Roman asks you for some time with him too. This little man has a lot of people who love him.”
I fight back a wave of unexpected emotion. “Oh. I mean, yeah. That’d be cool.”
He nods and steps backward toward his class. “Alright. I’ll meet you out here after class.” And then he slips inside, leaving me to do the same.
Class is uneventful. I get a few interested looks when I first walk in, but eventually people ignore that I’m sitting there, bouncing Luis on my knee as I take notes. Toward the end Luis gets a little fussy, but before I can even try and soothe him, Mr. Albert comes and plucks him from my arms and goes back to teaching the class while swaying my boy in his arms. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this grateful in my entire life.
As promised, Dominique is waiting for me outside the door when class lets out.
“Do you have everything I’ll need?” he asks, and I fall into step beside him.
“We’ll grab his diaper bag from my locker and then you’ll be set.”
Emilio is waiting beside my locker, a wide grin on his face as soon as he sees us. I texted him earlier that I’d be here, but he didn’t respond, so I’m assuming he got my message.
“Hey, momma.” He tugs me close and kisses me, uncaring of who sees. When he pulls away I’m a little breathless and Luis is jabbering away, vying for his daddy’s attention.
“There’s my boy,” Emilio says, lifting him from my arms and carefully tossing him up in the air before catching him and hugging him close to his chest. There are a few interested looks directed our way, and I do my best to ignore them. I don’t know how Emilio feels about everyone knowing he’s a dad. We never discussed if we were going to keep his involvement secret or—
“Ah! You brought him,” Allie’s voice calls out, and all heads turn her way. “Bibi, your and Emilio’s little boy is the freaking cutest.” And that answers that question. By the end of the day everyone will know Luis is ours, and a part of me is surprisingly happy about that, though I don’t miss the intense glares from some of the girls who pass us.
“What can I say, I make cute kids,” Emilio jokes. “Where are we heading, momma?” he asks, and I can’t help but smile up at him.
“To class. Dominique was nice enough to offer to babysit during his non-schedule.”
Emilio lifts a single brow. “Uncle Dom, already making moves to become the favorite?”
Dominique takes the diaper bag off my shoulder and pulls Luis from Emilio’s arms just as Roman stalks up behind Allie and wraps his arms around her waist.
“I won’t have to try very hard. Between me and this fucker, I’ve got favorite uncle in the bag.”
Emilio snorts. “Tell that to Antonio. He’ll fight you for the title.”
Everyone laughs. “Who’s Antonio?” I ask, not recognizing the name.
“My older brother,” he tells me. “I have two. A baby sister as well. You’ll meet them soon.” He tugs me into his side and leads me toward my second period class. “Little man has a whole host of people who are going to compete for his attention.”
The thought makes warmth spread through my chest. This is what I wanted. Family. People who will love Luis as much as I do.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay with him?” I ask Dominique one last time.
He nods and grins down at my little boy. “Yeah, I’ve got it. We’ll see you guys at lunch.”
nineteen
Second period is nerve-wracking knowing Dominique has Luis. It isn’t that I don’t trust him. I know he wouldn’t hurt Luis. But he’s also a teenage boy. What if Luis gets hungry or tired? What if he throws a fit and Dominique doesn’t know how to calm him down? Will he come get me? Get Emilio? This wasn’t my best idea. I appreciate the help but I should have said no.
