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Chapter One
Eight months later
“Oh my God,” Chance Richards groaned.
He had just passed the two-mile mark and wondered if he’d have enough energy to get back to his car.Whose bright idea was it anyway to jog the park?He had his digital camera with him, strapped to his waist, which made the run harder. Chance got his second burst of energy on the return trip.Ooh, what’s this?He spotted a young man seated on a bench, playing with an infant.How sweet.The photographer in him made him stop. He slid his camera out of its case and captured the touching scene.
The young man looked up, catching him. Instead of being angry, he smiled and went back to playing with the child.Cool.A smile meant hello to Chance. He took a few more pictures and then walked over to the bench. “Good afternoon.”
The other guy looked up.
Oh my, he’s a keeper.Besides the smile that melted his heart, the guy had a pair of light green eyes that twinkled merrily.
“Good afternoon.”
Chance took a towel out of his pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow. “What a cute baby. Is he yours?”
The young man with the fantastic smile nodded. “He’s my nephew. His name is Jaden.”
“And your name would be?”
“Derek Webster.”
Nice voice.Not too deep or nasally.“Hello, Derek Webster. My name is Chance Richards. May I sit with you?”
“Yes, you may.” Derek sat Jaden on his lap.
Chance sat down.Love his cologne.Not a bad dresser either…slacks, dress shirt, and cardigan sweater.“I’m a photojournalist forToday’s Baby Magazine, and not a stalker.” He pulled a business card out of the camera case and handed it to Derek.
Derek chuckled. “That would be why you took our picture.”
Chance nodded. “Yes, I know I should have asked first, but my camera has a mind of its own.” Derek laughed at Chance’s joke. “You two are very photogenic.”
The baby cooed at him.
“Yes, you are,” Chance said to him. “You’re a very lucky little boy. Not all uncles will take time off to spend time with their nephew. He’s also kind of cute.” The guy with the beautiful smile blushed.Ooh, an innocent. Just my type.“I’d like to take another picture of you two.”
Derek shook a lock of jet-black hair out of his eyes. “Why would you want to take a picture of me?”
Apparently, uncle gorgeous has no mirrors at home.“Not just you, but precious Jaden, too. You guys have some killer dimples.”Another blush.“Plus, I think the two of you would be perfect for the cover of an upcoming issue of our magazine.”
“I don’t know,” Derek said. “I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“Come on,” Chance said. “We pay top dollar for the pictures and more for the accompanying story.”
“It’s not about the money,” Derek said. “I don’t think an article on us would sell magazines.”
“Let me be the judge of that,” Chance said. He picked up his camera again. “You have a beautiful smile.” Little Jaden did, too. He had the same black hair and green eyes as his uncle. In fact, they looked enough alike to be father and son.
“Thank you,” Derek said.
Chance dug the little red flush under Derek’s cheekbones. He hadn’t seen a guy blush this much since middle school. “What do you do for a living? Or are you a student?”
“I work for a pharmaceutical company,” Derek answered.
Jaden turned and put his head against Derek’s stomach. “Oh-oh, someone’s sleepy.” Derek cradled the child in his arms.
The sight simply stole Chance’s breath away. “Please have dinner with me tonight so we can discuss the photo shoot.”
