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4
CONSTANTINE
I've metthe love of my life and he's into alien stuffies.
I grip Arlo's hand, holding him tight, keeping him close to me. I take firm steps, striding confidently through the playroom, forcing myself to process what happened.
I knew there was something special about Arlo's voice. The second I heard the soft, angelic, innocent voice cry outouchie,I had an inkling this boy was for me.
At once, everything is clear. This is why I cut off my meeting with M. Lafond. This is why I leapt into my limousine, hightailed it out of my country club, and came to the Little Bunny Club tonight.
I look to my left and study Arlo's face in the club lights, his sharp jaw, his button nose. His cheeks are pink, soft, and…buttery. His aquamarine eyes are dewy and glassy, and I can't decide if I want to jump into them or put them on a platinum ring.
This boy is bashful, adorable, and shyer than a baby bunny seeing the world for the first time in spring. Arlo only comes up to my chest, but that's fine. I love boys I can wrap my arms around in a great big bear hug, make them feel safe.
That's not all. This angel has braces. That speaks to your inner protector.
Lowering my eyes, I steal another peek at Arlo's mouth. His plump red lips and tongue try to hide his braces, but I see the sparkling stainless steel underneath. He chose green elastic bands, and I can't help but think it's because he likes aliens.
Does Arlo know how freaking gorgeous he is? Does he realize that any man here would sacrifice their soul to sit in the spaceship bean bag chair with him?
Cool your jets. Remember what happened with Carlos.
This memory makes me clench my teeth. I fell fast and hard for my ex-boyfriend, and I missed out on so many red flags. I'll care for Arlo tonight, but I refuse to make those same mistakes again.
Arlo turns his big blue eyes up to me as we settle onto the barstools. "Thank you for picking me up." He sniffles as he sets his alien stuffy on the counter. "I thought I'd stay on the floor the entire night. I felt like such a fool."
A fool. I'm tempted to laugh. Arlo doesn't know this, but the fact that he tripped makes him ten times cuter.
I reach out, then run my thumb across the back of Arlo's hand. "It's no problem, sweet boy." I slide a bowl of beer nuts to Arlo and place them next to his hand. "Plenty of boys trip their first times coming into the playroom. We need to enforce our policy of making the Littles pick up their toys."
Arlo blows out a breath as he stares into my eyes. He swipes his tongue along his lower lip, and all at once, I get another glimpse of his braces.
The sweetest, softest protective instincts bubble up inside me. The green elastic bands pressing up against Arlo's cheeks are so precious, and I fight like a demon to resist the urge to kiss him.
God. Almighty. I don't know why I feel these things for this angel. We only met two minutes ago, but he drives me crazy. It's not even sexual. I want to cradle this boy in my arms, run him a bubble bath, and find adorable alien-shaped duckies he can play with all night long. I want to buy him alien pajamas and spaceship pillows, and be his spaceman as we cuddle underneath a pillow fort.
Slow down. Moving this fast will only lead to pain like last time.
Arlo brushes a strand of hair over his ear, and peers at the bowl of beer nuts. "What are these?" He scratches his temple.
I push the beer nuts toward Arlo. "Beer nuts." I let out a grunt. "This is the adult section of the club. It's where Daddies come for cool beer to take a break from playing."
Snapping my fingers, I beckon my brother at the far end of the bar. "Gianluca."
Gianluca throws his bar towel over his shoulder, and turns to me. "Back for more scotch already?" His voice is gruff and low.
I shake my head. "No." I nod to Arlo. "Pour Arlo a glass of cold milk. He tripped on one of the boy's racecars and incurred an ouchie."
Arlo picks up a beer nut and runs it across his lower lip, before slipping it between his teeth. He bites into the nut and then swallows it.
Crunch.
"You're throwing your paying guests under the bus." Arlo looks at me sternly. "You should tell your brother I tripped on my shoelaces."
This surprises me. I furrow my brow, and wrap my arm around Arlo's shoulders.
"What do you mean, angel?" As Gianluca prepares the glass of milk, I try to figure out why Arlo would want me to lie for him. It's such an insignificant lie, too.
