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Or did they?
Maybe that was part of the buddy portion of the phrase.
He arched an eyebrow. “Really?”
She shrugged, hoping to impart a nonchalance she didn’t feel. “Yeah, sure. It’s no big deal. I’m done here anyway…” she wasn’t, “… and I’m happy to do it. If you’re comfortable with me watching him, of course,” she added. Did he worry she’d be a horrendous caregiver?
He snorted. “Of course, I’m fucking comfortable with that. My boy loves you.”
My boy. He might have struggled with his role in Caleb’s life initially, but Lock fully embraced fatherhood now.
“Okay, then it’s settled. You take that job, and I’ll grab Caleb and bring him to your house.”
Lock stood. He zipped up and then invaded her personal space, cupping the back of her neck. “Thank you.” The words matched the sincerity in his eyes.
“My pleasure,” she rasped.
His hand didn’t move from her neck, but he moved. He yanked her close and kissed her, hard but fast and so deep her head spun. He stepped back after releasing her as though he hadn’t twisted her in knots. “They’re at the park off Main Street. With the big playground.”
“Uh, yeah. I know it.”
Nodding, he shifted focus to his phone. “Lemme call them and confirm the details before I send you to the park.”
Brenna took that moment of inattention to slip out the door and toward the exit. It was that or stand there and wonder why he’d kissed her. Lock spun her up in ways she had no experience with, and she’d screw up by catching feels if she wasn’t cautious.
The ride to the park took under ten minutes. Alison recognized her from Lock’s house, and since he’d texted the change in plans, she’d handed Caleb over without issue. What had been a problem was figuring out how to work the blasted car seat. If she’d been smart, she’d have had the young sitter clip it in the car and secure the baby. As it was, Brenna had to watch a YouTube video for guidance.
“No one finds out about this, ever. It’s our secret,” she said to the baby as she clicked the last buckle. “You know what a blabbermouth you can be.” Caleb gurgled his agreement, making her chuckle.
Funny how she’d gone from never holding an infant to caring for one on her own in a matter of days. Granted, it was only a few hours, but Brenna was proud of her ability to help Lock in this way. She was also becoming smitten with the baby.
She straightened out of the car and then turned to walk around the vehicle, almost slamming into a tall body. “Sor—” She gasped and reared back at the sight of Oliver.
Holy crap.
If she hadn’t known the man intimately, she might not have recognized him. Dressed in slim designer jeans and a navy blue polo, he also wore a Tampa Bay Bucks baseball cap, and his shoulders were slumped. This was the most casual she’d ever seen him in public.
But what captured her attention and had her blinking to ensure her eyes weren’t lying were purple bruises marring his face. She’d known the Handlers would go hard on him after she’d slapped him and walked out. She expected worse than bruising, but the up-close-and-personal marred face was still shocking.
And his presence was alarming. What the hell did he want?
“What are you doing here?” It was too hot to close the door and leave Caleb in the stuffy car for even a few moments, so she stepped in the open doorway to block Oliver’s view. Lock’s son was her priority—she’d protect him at all costs if necessary.
Oliver sneered in Brenna’s direction, but the damage to his face negated any intimidating effect. Instead of a threatening glare, it looked like a pained grimace.
“What the fuck, Brenna?” he said in a near snarl that made up for the failed facial expression.
She jerked back at the venom in his voice. “Excuse me?”
“You’re watching his fucking kid now?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, choosing her words carefully.
“I thought it was all for show… their way of making me pay. I thought they forced you to go along with it, and after getting the money and beating my ass, it’d be fucking done. But you’re watching his brat. Are you fucking him too?”
“Hey!” She widened her stance as though she could protect Caleb by spreading her body wider.
“So, you’re what? With him now?” Disgust marked each word. “You’re his old woman or something?”
