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Once she took a seat, I forgot about the game. I had no idea what happened in the past few minutes and didn't care. Every inch of me was aware of her presence.
As soon as the game was over, Gabriel popped up off the sofa and offered a hand to his mother. For such a little guy, he was a gentleman, and I knew without a doubt that had everything in the world to do with great upbringing from his parents. They’d just earned a ton of my respect.
“Game's over. We can go now.”
Holly took his hand and thanked him for helping her up. Gabriel didn't let it go once she was on her feet, leading her to the edge of the living room.
“Everything okay with the apartment downstairs?” Daniel asked. So she lived in this building too?
“It's fantastic,” she said, a genuine smile lighting up her face. Once again, I was glad I was sitting. She was stunning when she smiled, and I wanted to see that again.
“Good. Let us know if you need anything,” he said.
“You've done enough.”
Gabriel dropped her hand and rushed back to me. “Thank you, Mr. Carlos, for helping me about the puppy.”
I held up my fist, and we bumped knuckles. “No problem. We'll do it again soon.”
“Really?”
“Sure thing. Why don't I walk you and your mom home, and we'll make plans,” I suggested, getting to my feet.
“Cool,” he said happily, practically skipping over to Holly. Damn, before this day was out, she was going to laser a hole right through me with those looks she was giving.
“We can make it just fine,” she said brusquely.
“I'm sure you can.” I kept walking toward her. “Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me.”
“Take your time,” the eldest Mr. Jacobs said with a smirk. Every man in that room knew exactly where I was coming from.
“I said we're fine,” Holly hissed as Gabriel raced into the kitchen to say goodbye to all the ladies.
“I heard you the first time,” I said easily, but in a way she'd know I wasn't backing down.
Gabriel returned with a cookie, crumbs around his mouth from where he'd taken a bite. He grabbed my hand. “Want some?” He held up the cookie.
“Gabriel. We don't share food with strangers. Not that we've eaten,” Holly scolded.
I tore off a piece with my teeth. “We're not strangers,” I said around a mouthful of sugar. Gabriel giggled, and Holly looked ready to spit fire.
I opened the front door, and Gabriel waited for Holly to pass through before we followed her to the elevator lobby. He pushed a finger on the call button.
“How long do you think it’ll be before I’m ready for a dog?”
The elevator arrived, and I held the door for them, then stepped in behind them, Gabriel's hand still attached to mine. His innocent eyes blinked up at me. Holly’s were pure fire and lasered me in half. I cleared my throat. “You’ll know when the time is right.”
“Now?” he asked hopefully.
A strange shape formed my mouth, one unfamiliar and unexpected. I glanced in the mirrored wall of the elevator over Gabriel’s head. Odd. I was smiling.
“We’d better do a little more training.”
A disgruntled noise escaped Holly.
“Tomorrow?” Gabriel asked hopefully. “You could come over for supper. We can have pizza.”
“I’m sure Mr. Carlos has other things to do,” Holly said as the elevator doors swept open. I hated she'd taken a professional tone with me, squarely putting me in the distant acquaintance category.
