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Theo tapped him on the chest. “Joel? Wah happen you arm?”
“I got a booboo,” he said, picking him up.
Josiah turned sideways and skip-walked next to him as they headed toward Ayesha. “Yeah, he would’ve been here sooner, but he had to have surgery.”
“Purgery?” Theo gently stroked his injured shoulder. “Joel, you booboo hurt?”
“Not anymore.” He nuzzled Theo’s hair. “Not anymore. And by the way, Mr. Josiah Nikora Savea, I’ve read your book at least ten times.”
Josiah’s face flushed. “Did you like it?”
“It’s easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. Where did you come up with the name of the main guy? Mr. Joe L. Attimore?”
Josiah shrugged. “It just came to me. It was super random.”
“It sounds really familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on where I’ve heard it before.”
Josiah giggled.
“Are you sure you’re okay with carrying Mr. Theonoceros?” Ayesha asked, scanning him like she was searching for additional injuries. “I can take him.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“At least let me take the duffel bag so you’re not carrying thatandTheo.”
“I’ve got both, Eesh.” He bent, his focus split between her lips and her cheek, but then he caught himself. They’d agreed to return to where they’d been, maybe even taking platonic to another level. However, as chaste as a cheek kiss could be, as long as he placed his lips somewhere on Ayesha, his kisses would be the furthest thing from innocent.
“Sorry, force of habit,” he said.
She waved him off. “All set?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I brought you something to eat, by the way,” she said, walking beside him, holding Josiah’s hand. “There’s no way you got something to eat with that short layover you had. It’s sushi. That way, Theo lets you eat in peace.”
When they reached Ayesha’s dark gray Grand Cherokee, she took Theo and secured him in his car seat. Then he exchanged the duffel bag for the sushi and went to get in on the passenger side. As he slid onto the seat, a fleeting image of a small face with hazel eyes, a pink mouth, and curly hair flashed through his head.
Someone’s baby.
Someone’s babygirl.
Ayesha looked over at him. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He shook the image free. “Think I’m just tired.”
“Well, the guest house is all set up and awaiting your arrival.”
She started up the car and backed out of the spot, and he stared at the side of her face, hoping it was discreet. He hoped she continued to look behind her a bit longer, giving him this moment to take her in.
For now, they’d give each other space. He’d fall back and pretend she wasn’t the best part of his every day. However, he’d wait for her signal. He wouldn’t push—well, he would probably push a little—but he’d wait for as long as he could.
Once they started, they would never end.
“By the way, Eesh, I like Josiah’s middle name. Nikora. It’s Hawaiian, right? Because I met a guy with the same name in Maui.”
“It’s Maori,” she said. “And it’s Curtis’ name.”
Another image flashed through his mind, this time of the photos at Ayesha’s house.
