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Derek turned up his nose. “You’re such a man.”
Matthew began packing up his things. “I better go so you can get back to work.”
Derek handed him the signed papers. “Thanks.” They were for a condo he’d just purchased in the university area for Jaden. It was near all of the best schools.
“Buying real estate is a good investment, but don’t you think you’re spoiling the kid. He can’t even walk yet.”
“No,” Derek answered. “This is going to be Jaden’s swinging bachelor pad. Besides he’s going to need a place to stay while he attends college, and this place is better than a dorm room.”
“What are you going to do with it until then?”
“Rent it out, of course. It’s close to shopping and things college students like.”
“Bars,” Matthew said. “College kids like to hang out in bars.”
“I didn’t,” Derek reminded him.
“That’s because you had a sister to look after.”
“I’d do it again if I had to.”
Matthew headed for the door. “Call me later and let me know how the picnic date turned out.”
“Tell Chaz, hey.”
Matthew shook his head. “You are so strange. The two of you are not supposed to be friends.” He waved and left.
Derek picked up his phone and called Harriet and Edna to tell them about the outing. Both employees were very excited for him. Derek went back to work. He still had to get some work done before he left for home.
*****
“Chance couldn’t have picked a better day,” Derek said to Jaden as if the infant understood him. Instead of taking his driver, Derek decided to drive himself. Edna had packed a picnic basket and Harriet appreciated the time off so she could visit with her mother. Before she left, she’d dressed Jaden and packed his diaper bag. Derek appreciated that. It gave him time to change out of his suit and into something comfortable. He drove around until he found a spot near the bandstand so he didn’t have to walk too far.
Chance appeared.
Derek asked, “Did you have to wait long?”
Chance shook his head. “No, I just got here.”
Derek checked him out. The man did look good in jeans and a T-shirt, and carrying a backpack.
“Hey, sport,” Chance said to as he took Jaden from Derek.
Jaden cooed at Chance and reached up and squeezed his nose.
“Hey, I need that to breathe.”
Derek chuckled as he got the blankets and Jaden’s portable playpen out of the trunk. Then he got the picnic basket and diaper bag out of the back seat.
“Whoa, let me help you with that,” Chance said. He took the diaper bag and slung it on his shoulders and grabbed the picnic basket in his free hand. He juggled Jaden in his left arm. “This picnic basket is heavy.”
“Edna probably got a little carried away,” Derek said. “She’s like that.”
They found an area close enough to hear the music, but out of the way of foot traffic. He laid out the blankets and unfolded the playpen, then he took Jaden from Chance.
“How do you manage with him? He’s heavy.”
“I usually take the stroller,” Derek answered.
