I grew up around dogs, and Sparkles looks like she licks more than bites, but we can’t take any chances because I might have to return Tanner, and he should leave in the same condition he showed up in, that’s all.
Tanner stares at Hazel, legs kicking, but doesn’t make a sound.
“Even she’s better at this than me.”I frown.
Penelope slides in closer and puts her arm around the back of the couch.“She’s good at everything.”She smiles at her daughter the way I’ve caught myself smiling at Tanner a few times.
I watch Hazel murmur to Tanner, telling him about her and Monroe’s phone conversation, and watch how intently Tanner listens to her.
Maybe everyone has the magic touch but me.
Decker hands me a water, and I take it without looking away from Hazel, Tanner, and Sparkles standing guard.
Then the aroma hits me, and I meet Penelope’s gaze.“Garlic butter chicken?”
“Do you want to stay?”She looks at Decker behind me.
“I’ve been surviving off Chinese takeout for five days.It’s not even a question.”
Penelope gives Tanner a little kiss on the forehead, but as she’s about to get up, Hazel says, “I’m done now.”
Whoa, whoa.
Red alarms go off in my head.
“I’ll pay you fifty dollars to sit there for ten more minutes.”I put my hands in the air as if I could stop her.
“Nope, I’m done.”
Hazel starts to get up, so Penelope quickly intercepts and holds Tanner.Hazel slides off the couch.
“I would’ve gotten you a stuffed animal from every city this year,” I try.
“That’s last year’s thing.Monroe and I are doing something different.”Hazel sounds bored now.
Penelope and Decker share a look of exhaustion.
“Which is?”Penelope asks.
“We’re not telling anyone yet.”She walks toward her room.“Duchess wants to join us for dinner.Garlic butter chicken is her favorite too.”
Penelope cradles Tanner in her arms, rocking side to side like a complete natural.
“Guys, I suck at this parenting thing.”I sit on the ottoman.
“Give it some time.Did you get the results of the paternity test?”Decker asks.
“Hopefully tomorrow, but I sent a picture to my mom, and she sent me my baby picture back.”
I pull out my phone and hold it up next to Tanner.
I see Penelope’s expression.
This little guy is mine.
“I expect an unplanned visit from her.It was all I could do to talk her out of taking the red-eye here last night.”
“Maybe that would be a good thing,” Penelope says.
