Page 76 of Sterling Heat

“I was going to the diner.” I chuckle.

“Then the diner it is.” Sebastian releases my neck and turns for the stroller, nudging me out of the way with a light hip check. He straightens his arms and holds his head high as he proudly pushes the stroller with me at his side.

“Sugar?”

“Yeah,” I say as we cross the street.

“I can’t push this one handed and hold your hand, so could you do me a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Slip your arm around me.”

Yeah, he’s trying to make a statement.

We’re together, for everyone to see.

+ + +

During dinner, we discuss Sebastian’s accounting issues.

“Over the past six weeks, I’ve been off in my nightly closeout. Five dollars here. Ten dollars there. None of it is making sense but it’s adding up to quite a bit.”

“Is there something you’d like me to look at?” Accounting is my field while basic bookkeeping is a different beast. Still, I’m good with numbers and need to get back into the groove. I’ve given myself twelve-weeks of maternity leave, but I’m torn between how much I love being home with Adara and the desire to stretch my mind a little bit. Most days, I’ve been in too much of a fog to concentrate on anything heavy like spread sheets, but I’ll need to return to work eventually. I’m halfway through my time off.

“Nah. I’ll let Judd tackle it. That’s what I pay him the big bucks for. And by big bucks, I mean a stock of his favorite cookies and an occasional drink.”

“Speaking of drinks, I’m headed to Vale’s book club tonight.” I check the time on my watch. Adara has been great throughout our meal, but I’m worried she’ll gear up for a break down during the book club. I don’t want to distract others with her crying. I’m also hesitant to play pass the baby with a bunch of women I’m meeting for the first time.

“Do you have a babysitter?”

“I’m taking her with me.” From my position across the table from Adara, I give her a loving gaze. Sebastian set the car seat beside him on the booth bench during dinner, but he took her out of the carrier to hold her.

“Why don’t you let me take her?”

“Oh, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask. I asked you. I can take her to my place.” He pauses as we both run through a mental check list of all the items he doesn’t have at his place to accommodate a baby. “Or I could take her to yours. You take your time and come home when you’re ready.”

“I don’t know . . .” I chew my lower lip.

“I get it, if you don’t trust me.” Hurt fills his eyes while he tries to keep his voice level.

I snort. “Don’t trust you? Are you kidding? You’ve done more for me than anyone I know. Of course, I trust you with Adara. It’s just . . . are you sure you want to keep doing this? Always stepping up and helping us out?”

Sebastian presses a kiss to Adara’s head. Offering one of those sweet moments he doesn’t realize he takes with her. “Did I not just announce to the town that you’re with me?” His blue eyes light up again.

“Yeah, but . . .”

“No but.” He tips his head to address Adara. “We’re going to let your mommy head to the book club where she hopefully won’t be too unholy.”

I laugh. “How am I going to be unholy at a book club?”

“You know where the club is held, right?”

“I have an address. Vale told me it’s above The Knitting Shed.”

Sebastian huffs. “The She Shed,” he corrects. “It once said Sheep Shed but the -ep was removed and now reads She Shed.”