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Chapter 17
Parrish
“I don’t understand, Hawk. Why would we go out to dinner when I can just stay here and make dinner for all of us?” Candy asks, confused. To be fair, I’m not sure what is going on either. Once the construction workers cleared out for the day, Hawk gathered everyone in the living room, and told us we were going out for the night. Sam and Candy had reservations at the nicest restaurant in Dylan, and Anna and I were having a girls’ night at the movies. He was going to stay home and watch Gracie.
“Because. You two never have a nice evening alone anymore. And it seems like the least I can do for you during all of this chaos,” Hawk says as he awkwardly picks up Gracie out of her play castle and tries to engage with her. Gracie looks a little confused at first, but just like she did the first time she saw him, falls for his charms almost immediately. I can see Sam and Candy relenting, but Anna raises her hand.
“Excuse me. I hate to put a damper on all of this, but I already have plans tonight.”
Everyone turns and looks at her like she has a lizard growing out of her shoulder. “You have what, Anna? Plans? Actual plans?” Sam asks, incredulous.
“Yes, Father. Plans. I have a date. With… Sid.”
Hawk’s jaw drops. “Sid Warren? You’re going on a date with Sid Warren? He’s too old for you!” Anna rolls her eyes.
“Please. He’s two years older than you, for crying out loud. And I’m not a child. I can go out with whomever I please, thank you very much. I’m sorry, Parrish. As much as I’d love to hang out with you, I can’t cancel on Sid,” Anna says, directing her petulant comment at Hawk. I just shake my head, laughing.
“It’s fine. Really. I have no problem staying home with Gracie. You don’t have to babysit her, Hawk.”
Hawk looks panicked, then checks around, as if he’s making sure someone isn’t listening. I have a sudden flash of exactly who he is concerned of overhearing.
“Why, Hawk Samuel McCormick! Are you using my daughter as a patsy to get out of something?” I ask with my hands on my hips.
Hawk feigns shock. “What? Me? No! Can’t I just want to spend time with niece and get to know her?”
“He’s lying,” Anna says, not even looking up from her nails.
“I am not…”
“Yes he is,” Candy confirms with a laugh. “I powdered your tush when you were a baby, Hawk. Don’t for a second think I don’t know when you’re lying too.”
“Ma!” Hawk objects, his cheeks turning red.
I hold up my hands with a laugh. “This is silly. Sam, Candy, you two go out and have a lovely dinner. Anna, go on your date. Tell Sid I said thank you for his great work today. And Hawk, I will stay home with you and Gracie, but you can do the heavy lifting on keeping an eye on her, so you didn’t tell a fib to… anyone. Does that seem fair?”
Everyone nods, and Anna jumps to her feet. “On that note, I’m going to go get ready. Sid is picking me up in an hour!”
Anna disappears upstairs, and Sam and Candy head out for town so they don’t miss their reservation. I look up at the clock and see it’s already late for Gracie’s dinner.
“Well, Mr. Babysitter, if you’re actually intent on taking care of my daughter tonight. She’s due for her supper. Do you want to cook?”
Hawk goes pale. “I don’t… I’ve never… I mostly order out.”
I chuckle. “It’s never too late to learn. Come on.” I wave for him to follow me into the kitchen with Gracie, then point to Gracie’s high chair on the edge of the bar. Hawk stops in front of the sink as if he’s waiting for me to do something, but I just stand there.
“What… are you doing?” he asks, confused.
“Waiting for you to make dinner,” I say with a smile. His panic increases tenfold.
“I wasn’t kidding. I really have no idea what I’m doing.”
I point to the pantry. “You can make pasta. Anyone can make pasta. Take a box of noodles out of the pantry. Then fill the pot that’s already on the stove with water. Add a little salt, and turn it up high. Then get a jar of sauce from the pantry, put it in a smaller pot, and turn it on medium-low. Once you do all of that, dinner is underway.”
He shakes his head nervously. “Slow down. Once step at a time please!”
I burst out laughing. “Holy shit, Hawk. Have you even cracked an egg since you left home?”
“I hate a lot of ramen in college. Then I started ordering out. I don’t think I have anything in my apartment but corn flakes and some fruit.”
