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Not again.
She wanted this. She dreamed of it.
She was still skittish.
And she sure the hell wasn’t stupid or naive.
They got to Colin’s twenty minutes later, Zara carrying Max while Ren grabbed the wine and cookies. He knocked once and opened the door.
“I’m here,” he shouted. “Has Colin managed to survive without seeing me for over a month?”
“Dude,” a redhead said moving forward. “I’ve been seeing your face on camera daily. Get over yourself.”
“But I haven’t seen you,” a blonde said, standing there. Max’s legs were kicking like crazy in her arms and he started to squeal and reach out. “Nor have I seen this guy. Oh, Max. You’ve gotten so big.” Max moved into Dee’s arms. “Where are my manners? I’m Dee and this is Colin.”
“Zara,” she said. “So nice to meet you. I’ve heard a ton.”
“That’s nice,” Dee said. “I can’t say the same. It wasn’t until two weeks ago that Ren said he was dating someone from his past.”
She wasn’t going to get upset about that.
First off, guys didn’t talk like women did. She knew that. She had a brother and it was like kicking him in the butt multiple times to get him to say much in his life.
And she wasn’t going to get upset that Max was so excited to see the woman that cared for him before her.
There might have been part of her that was feeling it, but she had to tell herself to be happy Max had such loving women in his life since it didn’t seem he got that from his mother.
Which was wrong of her to assume too.
Rachelle might have loved her son enough to give him to Ren because she couldn’t handle it, like she’d said.
“Don’t listen to my wife,” Colin said. “Ren told us about you. You used to date years ago and that you are again. You’re watching Max and since we know he’s shy and is looking back and forth between Dee and you, my guess is he is confused.”
“It’s normal,” she said. “Lots of kids get excited and want to come into my arms at work and then look back toward their parents. I tell them to be happy their child is so well adjusted.”
“But you aren’t Max’s parent,” Dee said.
“Dee,” Colin said. “We are protective of Ren and Max. My wife loves Ren like a brother. She also should keep her opinions to herself.”
“It’s fine,” Zara said. “I understand. I’ve got a brother too. I’m protective of him, but I love my sister-in-law and her sisters.”
“Speaking of them,” Ren said. “I’m going to get the gifts if Dee can behave herself while I’m gone. Zara has something for you and the girls, Dee.”
“Oh,” Dee said.
“I’ll explain when Ren is back.”
“Come into our house. My girls are in the back,” Colin said. “They are excited to see Max again, but we told them to not rush him at the door.”
“Cara is quiet like her father,” Dee said. “She is my oldest and looks like her father. Red hair and all.” Zara grinned as she followed them to the back of the house and saw the two girls watching TV. “Max is here, girls. And Laine is like me. Blonde hair and more outspoken. This is Uncle Ren’s friend, Zara. Say hi.”
“Hi,” both girls said.
Cara and Laine moved to play with Max when Dee set him on the floor.
“Look at him crawling,” Dee said. “I can’t believe I missed this.”
“He’s into everything,” Ren said. “Nonstop. I’m not sure how Zara deals with this at work.”
