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I wanted to focus on the lip twitch and what it could mean, but instead, I ignored it and shook my head. “While I can promise I’m not a fan of the extreme heat, it’s not asecret I don’t like the cold. And the snow isn’t very high up on my list, either.”
“So, living in Pennsylvania, where you get to experience the best and worst of all four seasons, is your idea of a good time, then?” he teased.
I rolled my eyes, loving the easy nature of our conversation. “I feel like the stifling heat of the summer and the bitter cold of the winter months are months long, and we’re always getting the extremes of both. I’d prefer more of the weather that’s just comfortable. Spring and fall. It’s perfect, but it always feels like we get two weeks of each of those before it turns.”
“Have you lived here in Pennsylvania all your life?” he questioned me.
Nodding, I confirmed, “Yep. Born and raised. Though, I moved here to Steel Ridge quite a few years ago.”
“What about your family? Where are they?”
For a brief moment, a wave of sadness washed over me. I would have given anything to have them closer to me.
“My mom and my sister, Jolene, live about two hours away. I mentioned my niece, Ruby, back when you were interviewing me for this job as Rhys’s nanny.” I paused a moment, focused my attention on Rhys, and reached my hand out to give his messy one a squeeze. “As you can already tell from the amount of cuddling I try to do with him, it’s one of my favorite things to do with Ruby. But every time I see her, I feel like she’s grown so much, and time is just flying by or slipping away.”
Banks allowed his eyes to roam over my face briefly before he asked, “How old is she?”
“Ruby? She’s four now, and she’s just got the best little spirit. Rhys reminds me a lot of her, because they’re both always so happy.”
Banks’s lips formed a smile. “I really did luck out with him, didn’t I?”
I nodded, returning the smile. “Definitely. But I think you deserve some of the credit for him being the way he is.”
He let out a laugh. “I’m not so sure about that. God, there are so many instances when I question myself. If there is one thing I know, it’s that I don’t have a clue what I’m doing, but I’m putting in a valiant effort to figure it out.”
Now, it was my turn to stare at him. My eyes roamed over his face, taking in every handsome feature as I wondered how it was possible for him to do all that he did for his son and feel any insecurity.
“Can I be honest with you for a second?” I asked, feeling uneasy about how he might react.
He jerked his chin down slightly, trepidation marring his features. “Sure.”
“I told you about my mom and my sister, but I didn’t mention my father,” I started. “He wasn’t around. Ever. So, I think it’s important that you know, coming from a girl who didn’t have her dad in her life, that you’re already winning the game of fatherhood by simply being here to care for and raise your son. Making decisions about foods he eats or diapers you use aren’t what really matters when it all boils down. Rhys is fed, happy, loved, and thriving. That’s all he needs, Banks. If my father was even a quarter of the man you are, I’d feel extremely lucky. Honestly, Rhys won the lottery. You’re an incredible father.”
Clearly, my attempt to make sure Banks understood that being a good father had less to do with what he thought he was getting wrong and everything to do with what he was getting right left him momentarily speechless. It hadn’t been my intention to make him uncomfortable,but given his situation, I had a feeling he didn’t hear the words he probably needed to as often as he should, if at all.
“Thank you for saying that, Lamise,” he croaked. I could have sworn he was blinking his eyes more rapidly, surely as a means of getting his emotions under control. “It really means a lot to me.”
I smiled at him, feeling genuinely happy and relieved that I’d made him feel good. After everything he’d done for me, it was nice to feel like I could do something that wasn’t related to me caring for Rhys. “You’re welcome.” Following a beat of silence, I figured it was best to switch topics. “So, what about you? Has your family lived here all your life, or are you from out of the area?”
“I’ve lived in Steel Ridge all my life,” he revealed.
“Are you an only child?”
Banks shook his head. “No. I’ve got a sister, too, but she no longer lives in Steel Ridge. Like your sister, she’s also two hours away from here, so between our work schedules and busy lives, I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like.”
“I understand that. It’s the worst feeling, and it always sucks when you think about it. Like, you know it’s only two hours away, so it shouldn’t be a big deal, but it’s also not convenient, and sometimes, especially in your case with a baby, it’s just hard to do all the things you want to do,” I declared.
As though he knew he needed to prove my words to be true, that he was always going to be the priority, Rhys started getting fussy in his seat. He’d had enough of his meal, a good chunk of what didn’t end up in his mouth winding up on him or the floor.
“Are you done eating, little man?” Banks asked him. “Or are you just not getting enough attention?”
Rhys made it clear it was a bit of both.
I let out a laugh as Banks stood and lifted Rhys out of his seat. I watched, noting the way he did it with such ease. Granted, Rhys’s weight wasn’t a challenge for Banks, but the effortlessness with which Banks lifted his son in his arms was captivating. Rhys really was a lucky kid to have such a strong and protective dad.
As Banks brought Rhys close to his chest, he said, “You know, you’ve had Lamise all to yourself today. Maybe we need to start talking about the importance of sharing.”
Before I could realize what I was saying and stop myself before I looked like a fool, I blurted, “Oh, don’t worry, Banks. There’s enough of me to go around in this house.”
