He leans back in his chair, stretching and showing off every muscle.“So you like what you see, huh?”
I pick up a piece of pancake and throw it at him.“Stop with the games.We have guests.”
Tanner mimics me, throwing a small piece of pancake, but it goes nowhere.
Easton picks up Tanner’s piece and pops it in his mouth.“Thanks, bud.”
Tanner gets all excited from having his daddy’s full attention.
I get it, buddy.I like having all his attention too.
ChapterThirty-Five
Hadley
Holly and I say goodbye to the men and head to the bookstore.
She’s easy to be around, and I’m comfortable with her.I just wish I weren’t lying to her.
We decide to walk since it’s a nice day out, and she said she loves coming to Chicago because it’s so different from Lake Starlight.
“Don’t get me wrong.I love our small town, but I didn’t grow up there.”We stop at a light.“Are you from Chicago originally?”
“I am.The bookstore was my grandma’s.She died recently and left it to me.”
For obvious reasons, she doesn’t need to know the stipulations of the will.
Holly touches my upper arm as we walk across the street.“I’m sorry.How are you doing now?”
Honestly, I haven’t really had the time to think about it.She’s the first person to ask me, probably because my life has taken a turn I didn’t see coming.I’m a wife now, and although I’m supposed to just be the nanny for my husband’s son, I feel like more to Tanner.At least he feels like more to me than just some kid I’m looking after.
“I’m okay.It’s nice to be in her space.Makes me feel close to her.”
She squeezes my arm.“Austin’s Grandma Dori was a big part of our lives.When she passed, it was hard on everyone in the family.If you ever need to talk, I mean, I’m sure you have friends and your own family, but I’m here.”
I nod.“Thank you.”And I mean it.
She’s going to make a great mother-in-law one day to whoever Easton settles down with after me.I only hope that if the day comes when I want to marry for real that I get lucky enough to have in-laws as nice and supportive as her and Austin.
We continue walking, and she points out some stores she says she might drag Austin into at some point.
Holly smiles when the bookstore comes into view.“Oh, this is adorable.Just how East described it.”I open the door, and she walks in, her hands covering her mouth when she sees the tree-reading area.“I could see this in Lake Starlight.”
I’m happy to see Felix opened today.He’s good for distraction and will keep Holly busy.
He watches Holly’s reaction from behind the counter and turns to me, mouthing, “Investor?”
I shake my head and mouth, “No!”But his assumption means he thinks one day he’ll show up to find a for sale sign in the window.
“Felix, this is Easton’s mom, Holly Bailey.”
Felix squeals and rounds the counter.“The mother-in-law.”He opens his arms, and Holly opens hers.I guess this is how it goes when two people are huggers.They like to feel the connection.“Can I just say I love your grandson?”
Holly’s cheeks pinken as she smiles wide.“I’m biased, but he’s great, right?”
Felix raises his hand.“I’m the Tanner whisperer.”
“He really is great with him,” I say, leaning on the checkout counter.“I’d be lost without him to help with Tanner when I’m at the store.”
