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“She was a trooper,” Adler replied.
Leila gathered their blanket and loaded everything in Skylar’s stroller. “I can’t lie, I’m surprised you held her so long.” She took Skylar from his arms.
Adler pushed the stroller. “I was waiting for her to cry, and trust me, if she did you would have gotten her back.”
Leila chuckled and they walked behind Tristan and Stacey toward Adler’s car. Elizabeth and Brady had already left with a sleeping Grant and Jessica.
“So,” Adler asked, “where are you parked?”
Leila stopped abruptly as she remembered she wasn’t parked anywhere. “Umm, I walked here. I totally forgot.”
Adler started off again. “Well, looks like you’re hopping in with us. Luckily, it’s not a far drive since I don’t have a car seat.”
“No, I can’t do that. It’s not safe.”
“What? Walking home in the dark at night when there are tons of strangers hanging around is?”
Leila shrugged and resituated the blanket and bag in Skylar’s stroller and laid her down carefully as they got to the sidewalk. “It’s safer than riding in a car without a baby seat.”
Adler sighed. “Fine. I’ll take your word for it, as I’m not a parent, but my mom and dad would kill me if I let you walk home alone at night. Lead on, my lady.” He bowed and waved his arm through the air.
She stood stunned.He's hot and adorable."Will you stand up!"
"Fine." He stepped around her and pushed Skylar’s stroller toward the policeman who was acting as a crossing guard. “You can walk home alone at night if you want to, but I’m going to escort the little beauty to make sure she gets there safely. You don’t have to follow.”
Her heart did that weird flop thing again. That was the second time he’d called Skylar “little beauty.” It was so sweet.Adorable and sweet—who knew!
Realizing they were gaining ground, she laughed and ran to catch up with him. “Well, you’ll need me to show you how to get to her home. You have now clue where you’re going.”
“Not true. I was at your house this morning. Remember?” They crossed when the policeman waved them on. “I rememberpassing this park, and I know it wasn’t too many turns to your house. Now, which ones exactly might be a challenge, as things do look slightly different in the dark.”
She walked next to him, leading. “It’s not far. Just about four blocks, but how are you going to get back to your car?”
He stopped and sent a text, then put his phone back in his pocket. That tight pocket which hugged his ass.Leila!
“Problem solved. I sent Tristan your address, and he’s going to meet me there and pick me up.”
“That seems like a lot of trouble.”
“Whatever. You don’t have a choice.”
She shook her head but enjoyed the attention. A man thought she and Skylar were worth his time, and a man like Adler to top it off. Her eyes traveled over him as they walked in silence. What she saw stunned her. He was so perfect. Women gave him double looks all day, and it was obvious why. He could be the portrait in the dictionary next to the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. Add to that the muscles that stretched his shirt and were obvious through his shoulders and back—not overly done, but just enough to make your mouth water—and those biceps which stretched the seams of his sleeves and always left part of that eagle tattoo sticking out.
But also, he was easy to talk to, sweet, and natural with Sky. That was what surprised her the most. When she first met him, she didn’t think he was the type that would be good with a baby or even want anything to do with her because of Skylar, but he ended up proving her wrong. What else about him would surprise her? Her heart picked up its rhythm, and she froze in place. She watched as Adler continued walking, pushing the stroller and talking with Skylar. She wanted to find out. Was she crazy?Yes, Leila. Yes, you are.
“Ha! I found it.” Adler came to a sudden stop and turned to find her a few steps behind. He pointed. “This is your house.”
She caught up to him and nodded. They’d made it to her house, and she didn’t even realize they had walked so far. She had been distracted. “Wow. You sure did.”
“You sound shocked.”
She shrugged, and a smirk appeared on her face. “What can I say? I didn’t think you had it in you.”
His mouth drooped a little, and he feigned looking hurt. “You know there are brains up here.” He tapped his head. “I’m more than just muscles and a hot body.”
She cocked a brow. Thankfully it was dark. He wouldn’t notice the blush growing on her cheeks. “Yeah, I’m beginning to see that.” Her voice was breathy, “Anyway, thanks for walking us home.” She took the stroller from him and walked the short walk to the front door.
Adler followed behind, and they stood in front of her house for a beat, their eyes holding on to each other. “So, you’re seeing that there’s more to me than you first thought, huh?”
