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He squealed with pure joy.
“Shh, buddy. The baby’s sleeping.”
Grant cocked his head to the side to have a better view as Leila hooked Skylar into the car seat.
He pointed his tiny finger. “Baby.” Then put his finger to his grandmom’s lips. “Shh.”
Charlotte grabbed his finger and kissed it. “That’s right,” she whispered and kissed his cheek. Her face glowed.
Grant didn’t realize how lucky he was. He had the love of an amazing grandmother to grow up with, and his parents were in love and married. Leila watched her daughter sleep.You may never have the love of your real grandmother, but Diane loves you anyway, and family doesn’t have to be blood. No matter what, I’ll try my best to make sure you know you’re loved every day.
Jessica appeared at Leila’s side. “I know you have your hands full, but we’re heading to the Pizza Place. We always meet there after church. Would you like to go?”
Leila looked at her sleeping baby. Hanging out for a bit would be great, but she really needed to get home before Skylar woke up and needed to eat again.
Leila’s forehead wrinkled as she fought through her decision. It was just too hard to go out with such a young baby. Maybe next time.“I’d love to, but I really can’t.”
Charlotte took the diaper bag from her. “Nonsense. You go. I’ll take both Skylar and Grant home. I’ll feed them both, and Grant and I will babysit. You still have one more bottle I can heat up in case she wakes up. When you’re done, just come by the house and pick them both up.”
“Are you sure?” Jessica and Leila said in unison.
“Absolutely.” She asked Grant. “Buddy, would you like to baby sit with Grandma?”
“Uh huh.” Grant nodded his head hard.
“Anyway, Jessica, I was running late this morning and forgot to bring him clothes, so it’ll give me time to pack him up for your house.”
Jessica shrugged. “Sounds good, Mrs. Parks. We’ll stop by as soon as we’re done eating.”
Leila chewed on her lips. Eating without a crying baby would be a treat. Eating a hot meal would be heaven. “As long as you’re sure?”
Charlotte shooed them away. “Go. Get.”
In the short time Leila had been in town, she’d found the Pizza Place to be not only her favorite place to eat but a very popular place for the locals to go any time of day. After church seemed to be the same. The restaurant was busy. Even the patio was full.
Leila followed Jessica and Chad to a table with a few empty seats. She smiled at Stacey, the nurse who’d taken care of her when Skylar was born. They’d talked last night. She was a very sweet person. Tristan, her boyfriend, was sitting next to her. She recognized everyone else from Elizabeth and Brady’s wedding. Jessica and Chad took the seats next to Jacob—Stacey’s brother—and his wife, Kristen, leaving only one seat for Leila next to a guy whose back was to her.
Great. She never did well talking to guys. Her words came out wrong, and she always felt like an idiot.
She sighed as she pulled out her chair, then the guy in the seat next to her turned his head and her heart stopped. Literally stopped.
Really? It had to be him?
Adler looked a little different than he had last night. Ruggedly handsome. Like he just pulled himself out of bed. His dark hairwas sticking up in an organized I-meant-to-do-this kind of way. He wore a faded and well-worn gray T-shirt and faded jeans. She rolled her eyes and took her seat.
When their eyes met, his face lit up. “Well, hey Leila. How ya doing?”
His features were flawless, like he was chiseled out of marble by an artist’s hand. It should be illegal to be that perfect. He was the exact kind of man that made her toes curl, and not in a good way.
“Hey, everyone,” Jessica said. “Y’all remember Leila. She was in church, and we invited her along.” Jessica introduced everyone around the table.
“Hi.” Leila smiled and accepted the water the server placed in front of her.
“It’s good to see you, Leila.” Tristan smirked. “So, did you have fun last night?”
“Tristan.” Stacey shot him a look and turned to Leila. “Ignore him.”
“Well, I don’t know about her, but I know I had a good time.” Adler gave her that smile again, the one she was sure turned all the girls to mush. Not her. She was immune to the self-centered male ego—now, anyway.
