The registers were busy and it took another fifteen minutes to get through the line. By the time they were headed out to the car, she knew everyone had made note of the fact that Brogan held Andy and pushed a cart full of purchases, while she carried Shayna. She countered their assumptions by avoiding eye contact with the onlookers whenever she could, and when necessary, she introduced Brogan as a renter whom she was helping to get settled.
Brogan’s quiet manner only spiked curiosity, and gossip spread like wildfire.
Even Marlow and Cort heard, which meant she got a call that night.
She’d just gotten Andy to sleep when her phone buzzed. To keep from waking him, she hurried from the room before she answered the call.
“Hey, Marlow.”
Marlow huffed. “Don’t play coy. Tell me everything.”
“About …?” Of course, Pixie had a good idea what she meant, but still, she wouldn’t volunteer anything until she fully understood Marlow’s interest.
“You, the hot new guy, gallivanting around town all cozy like …”
“Like what?”
“A little family.” Quickly, Marlow rushed on. “That’s what everyone is saying.”
“I was worried about that.”
“Is it true? Did you spend the day with him?”
“It’s only a little true.” Barefoot, in a big T-shirt and panties, Pixie paced through the living room and then out to the enclosed porch. She left the interior lights off so that if anyone was fishing on the lake, they couldn’t see her. Dropping onto a padded seat, she curled her legs up and rested her chin on herknees. “I was just showing Brogan around town, but it turned into a shopping spree for his little girl. It’s so sweet how he dotes on her. I swear if she makes a sound, he’s on it, making sure she’s comfortable, that her diaper is dry. The funny thing is, he gives almost as much attention to Andy.”
“Well,” Marlow said, as reasonable as could be, “Andy is a precious little guy. No one, not even big, badass SEALs, can resist his charm.”
Pixie laughed. “I guess so, given all the attention he gets. And he sure knows how to ham it up, especially for Brogan. Did I tell you that he’s decreed Shayna ashisbaby? Over and over again, he states:My baby.I’m starting to worry what will happen when Brogan leaves.”
Marlow gave a very cryptic “Hmm,” before saying, “Kids are amazingly adaptable. He’ll have you to give him plenty of attention, and of course Cort and me. We miss you guys, by the way. I wish we could all take a vacation together.”
Someday, Pixie thought. “We miss you, too, but I’m so glad you’re getting some downtime. No one deserves it more.”
“Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?”
“All the time,” Pixie whispered with emotion. Marlow had been her biggest supporter in her journey to improve her life. “I wouldn’t be here without you.”
“Baloney. I’ve never seen a more determined young woman in my entire life. It takes a lot of courage to do what you did, and I think you’re amazing. I hope Mr. Hot Stuff realizes it, too.”
“Marlow,” she cautioned. “The man is only here for a vacation. He’ll leave at the end of his lease.”
“Maybe, but I hope he gives you some sizzling memories before he goes.”
Groaning, Pixie wondered how to derail her friend. She couldn’t talk about this, not even with Marlow … because in truth, she wouldn’t mind a few sizzling memories.
“Hey,” Marlow said, “I need to go. Cort is ready to make our own sizzling memories.”
Pixie laughed, especially when she heard Marlow squeal, which meant Cort was right there, doing something outrageous. “Good night,” she said. “Have fun, and give Cort a hug from Andy and me.”
After they’d ended the call, she still sat there for the longest time, watching the fireflies, thinking things she shouldn’t, and wanting things she hadn’t thought about in a very long time.
Pixie wanted to meet Brogan at the Docker restaurant, thinking that might help quash speculation, and it would be easier than either of them moving car seats from one car to another, but he wanted them to ride together. He thought it’d be fun for the kids to sit together in the back seat—and it was. Andy kept up a steady stream of talking while Shayna entertained him with various sounds and squeals and gurgles.
They were highly amused by each other.
She and Brogan didn’t do much talking because they were both so enthralled listening to the kids. She spent much of her time looking into the back seat. He couldn’t do that, but she did catch his small smiles when Andy said something cute or when Shayna gave an extra enthusiastic coo.
As they got closer to the restaurant, though, Pixie felt honor bound to remind him of their shared intent. “You know this dinner is going to ramp up rumors. We’ve been seen together too much.”
