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“No,” Mitch answered. “But they were always around him, baking him cookies, and trying to get him to ask them to the dance. Then his parents died and everything changed. He had a younger sister still in high school that he needed to raise. I remember this one time she sent him for sanitary pads. It was embarrassing not only for him, but for me, too.” He chuckled. “We had to get some lady to help us make a decision on what to buy.”
Chance chuckled.
“Do you have a sister?”
“Two,” Chance answered. “They are both older than me.”
“I’ve never seen a guy so serious about learning how to French braid hair and apply makeup. Mr. Webster got pretty good at both.” He sighed. “Then she passed away.”
They arrived at the mansion. “It was nice talking to you, Mr. Richards,” Mitch said once their journey came to an end. “Make him laugh again.”
“I’ll try,” Chance said when his feet were firmly on the sidewalk. “I’m going to try.”
Bruster answered the door. “Good evening, sir. It’s very nice to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you again, too,” Chance said as he handed the flowers and wine he’d brought along to the butler so he could change into some slippers.
“Mr. Webster is expecting you. He’s in the dining room.”
“With the baby?
“No, the baby is at Miss Harriet’s.”
“Must be nice to be him,” Chance said playfully.
“He’s cut his first tooth,” Bruster said. “Miss Harriet thought Mr. Webster could use a break.” He handed him back the flowers and wine then escorted Chance to the dining room. “Roses are Mr. Webster’s favorite. I’ll find a vase.” The butler left.
Derek was sitting at the table, and he stood up when Chance walked in. The outfit he wore was to die for. He looked like he’d fallen out of the pages of a Japanese manga, with the dark pants, white shirt, and double-breasted, high-collared jacket.
“These are for you,” Chance said, handing Derek the flowers.
“Thank you,” Derek said, accepting them. “They’re lovely.”
Bruster came in right on time with the vase. He took the flowers from Derek and set the lovely display in the center of the table.
Edna came in with their meal. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Chance.”
“Nice to see you again, too,” Chance said.
“I hope you like vegetable lasagna. It’s Mr. Webster’s favorite.”
“Yes, I do.” Chance suspected Derek didn’t eat much meat. Edna also served a leafy green salad and homemade rolls. She left, taking the butler with her.
“Bruster told me that Jaden is visiting Harriet.”
“She loves to spend time with him and she said I needed a break. I didn’t argue.”
Chance smiled. Every time he was around Derek it was like listening to an encyclopedia. He’d never dated a genius before. “I hear he has a tooth.”
“Yes, it kept both of us up for a couple of nights. At one point I thought about crawling in the crib and joining him in a good cry.”
Chance couldn’t help but feel sorry for Derek. “Just think how adorable he’ll be when he smiles.”
“Not helping,” Derek said as he speared an olive out of his salad. He ate it. “I don’t know if I’ll survive the next tooth.”
“You will,” Chance said, trying to sound positive. “If not, give me a call and I’ll come over and rock him to sleep.”
“What about me?”
