It didn’t even help that Brogan wasn’t looking at her. His attention went back and forth between the children, and he noticed right off that Andy was staring fixedly at this other small person, his big blue eyes unblinking.
“That’s a baby, bud. A younger baby, so I bet she looks itty-bitty to you. Want to see?”
Andy hugged Brogan’s neck, but kept his gaze on Shayna.
“Andy?” Pixie said. “We have to be quiet, okay?”
Andy replied, “Shh,” making Brogan grin again.
“You’re an engaging little dude, you really are.” He walked closer to Shayna, but once he knelt down, Andy turned and shyly hid against him. “No problem, my little friend. I get it. Infants can be intimidating, right?” He stood again and stepped away, all but ignoring Pixie.
Andy immediately peered over his shoulder, whispering with quiet awe, “Baby.”
“That’s right. You’re a smart one, aren’t you?” As if he suddenly remembered Pixie, he turned to her. “Hey, sorry.”
She knew she probably had the oddest expression on her face, but she couldn’t seem to get it together. She continued to stare at Brogan and her son, and suddenly she wanted to cry. Or laugh. It was a toss-up which emotion might win.
His brows pinched again. “You okay?”
Pixie cleared her throat. “Yes, just taking it in.”What did that even mean?“You’re a natural.”
The right side of his mouth kicked up. “A natural what?”
She drew a blank. “I mean … with kids.”
“That’d be one hell of a compliment, for sure. I’m trying.”
Her eyes widened. “FYI, Andy repeats everything.”
Lifting a brow in confusion, he said, “Yeah?”
“You saidh-e-l-l.”
This time, he laughed outright. “Sorry.”
“Shh,” Andy said.
That made Brogan laugh again. “It’s okay. My little Sugar is a sleeping champion. I got lucky there, right?” He glanced at the clock. “She should wake up soon. Until then, we could have an earthquake, and she might sleep through it.”
“She must be a very secure little girl.”
His humor faded until he looked solemn. “I hope so.” Gesturing at a seat, he asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Thank you. Anything is fine.”
“Coke? Water?”
“Coke would be good.” Pixie took the chair and set the diaper bag on the floor beside her. “Andy, do you want your drink?”
He moved so quickly, Brogan had to juggle him, but he got him to the floor safely. “Give a man a warning, bud, why don’t you?”
“Sorry, I should have told you that he moves like lightning.”
“It’s all good.”
Once Andy had his special spill-proof cup, he moved closer to Shayna and squatted down for a look. Pixie started to tell him not to touch the baby, but Brogan waved her off.
“He’s curious. It’s okay.”
