AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He nodded. “I have to get to rehearsal—Lila’s on the warpath or I’d let them know I can’t make it.”
“No, you have to work. That’s fine. I can handle it.”
“You just point. They’ll do whatever you tell them to do. In fact, you don’t have to lift a finger. I have a maid service coming in that works with this company. They’ll clean it from top to bottom after the guys leave.”
“Michael that’s too much. I can handle cleaning my own place.” It wasn’t that dirty. She was pretty sure. Maybe a few million dust bunnies, but the rest shouldn’t be bad. Okay, she hadn’t gotten around to cleaning her fridge in a while. She pushed her bangs out of her eyes and switched Axl to her other hip. The kid definitely didn’t starve.
Michael plucked him out of her arms and held Axl over his head, twirling them both. Her son’s delighted laugh rang through the air. She resisted the urge to snatch him back. She was pretty sure Michael wouldn’t drop him.
Mostly.
After a half dozen twirls, Michael stopped suddenly and shook his head, making a goofy face. “You’re no lightweight, Axe-man.”
She couldn’t help smiling at both Michael and her son as Axl clutched Michael’s shirt. “All right, no flying off into space.”
“Space,” Axl parroted.
“It’s not going to be a long practice.” He transferred Axl back into her arms. He fished his wallet out of his pocket.
“Oh, no. Don’t you hand me money. I have…some.”
He rolled his eyes. “Can we not make money a thing? I know you’ve taken some from Nick.”
She ground her teeth. “That was different. And I hated asking.”
“I know. I’m your husband though. I get to spoil you and to make sure your friend is taken care of today since we’re inconveniencing her. Right?”
There was no argument that she could make. “Yeah, I suppose.”
“Good.” He took out a wad of cash and tucked it into her front pocket. “Give the guys instructions, then take her out to lunch. You guys go…wherever kids like to go for the day. Make sure it’s an awesome day for the Ax-man.” He dug his fingers lightly into Axl’s side until he was laughing again. “Since we’re changing his whole life today, Mama. Remember?”
“Like I could forget.”
“Right. So you have a great day with your friend and we’ll figure out the home stuff tonight. Okay?” He bent down until their faces lined up. “Okay?”
“Yes.” She hated it with the power of a thousand suns, but it would be better to take Lori out for a fun day than to sweat over her house. She looked over her shoulder at her side of the duplex with the pansies that were dying because she didn’t have time to water them. No matter how much she wanted to remember, they fell by the wayside next to double shifts and spending every spare moment with Axl.
He slid an arm around her hip and hauled them both into his chest. “For once, just take care of your family and let me figure out the details. The bonus? I get to be your family now too.”
She hooked her arm around his neck and dragged him down for a kiss. How the hell else was she supposed to say thank you? There were no words for the emotions pinging around in her chest. Her heart was beating hummingbird fast.
Just like it always seemed to do around this man.
Michael smiled into the kiss, then i
mpulsively smushed one into her son’s cheek. “Take care of your mama for me?”
“Mama,” Axl said. He clunked his big head against her collarbone.
“Ouch, careful.” Michael stroked the back of his knuckles down her face. “Do easy.”
Her eyes pricked. How many times had she said “do easy” to Axl, just like her dad had said to her as a kid?
Axl patted her face. “Easy.”
“There you go.” Michael grinned down at her. “I’ll see you guys tonight. I won’t be late.”
“Okay.”
