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“No. Mainly on the weekends. And since today is Friday, I’m cooking for Haylee and Josh, too. I don’t have many methods of paying them back for allowing me to live here, but this is one way. Oh, and I have apple pie.” Because if I was starting a diet on Monday, I was eating whatever I wanted this weekend.
“Okay. Um, what time should I come over?”
I couldn’t hide my surprise. “Really?”
“Did you not mean it?”
I shook my head. “No, of course I did. How about six? Does that work?”
“Sure. Um, can I bring wine or something else to drink?”
“I prefer beer but only if you’re getting some for yourself.”
His grin came easily. “Sounds good, but it won’t be the light stuff.”
“Thank God. See, I knew there was a reason I liked you, Mark.” I flashed him a smile and let myself into my apartment prior to going upstairs to pick up Tristan.
* * *
He was right on time.It made sense, considering there was something about him that screamed punctual. When I opened the door, the blush which seemed to permanently stain his cheeks was already there. I wondered why he subjected himself to me if he was embarrassed before I even opened the door.
Then again, based on the man’s fast-food receipts, perhaps any embarrassment was worth it for a home-cooked meal. “Hi. Come on in and pardon the Legos on the floor.” Tristan had been busy building while I’d been working in the kitchen.
“Sure. Are Haylee and Josh coming down with the baby?”
Oh, dear, of course he’d thought there’d be others here. “No. Sorry. Haylee went to New York this weekend unexpectedly. Something about needing to see her friend Will before he moves. But I did drop off the meal at their place for when they return.”
And there went the deeper blush. “I wonder where Will is moving to.”
I shrugged, not knowing a whole lot about Will except that he was an Aussie model who’d worked with Haylee over the years. I knew they were good friends and that his leaving had her upset. Appreciating how deeply this group cared for their friends, I wasn’t surprised she was sad to see him move away. Meanwhile, I took the six-pack of bottles out of Mark’s hand and admired the imported lager.
“It’s not too late to back out, but you do sacrifice a beer.”
He chuckled. “No, no. And glad you approve. Um, do you have glasses? I can pour.”
Huh. Yeah pour. Not chug out of the bottle as I was about to. “I think there are two pint glasses in the top cabinet next to the fridge.”
He poured while I brought down two adult plates and one for Tristan. I then watched Mark kneel down to talk to Tristan about the tower he was creating.
“Want some help?”
My son nodded enthusiastically.
Mark seemed equally happy to sit down and began building him a castle.
All was comfortable until three minutes in when Tristan said the dreaded word. “Dadda.”
“Uh.” Mark had a complete look of panic, which of course put me into a fit of giggles.
Finally calming myself enough to speak, I knelt down to caress Tristan’s face. “No, baby. This is Mark.” I then turned to Mark. “Don’t worry. He said the same to Brian and to Josh.”
He grinned and picked up my smiling boy. “Are you telling me I’m third choice behind Brian, of all people? Tristan, we need to talk about your taste.”
I was thankful he didn’t ask about the sad reason my son kept asking any adult male who was around him more than five minutes if he was his daddy. Tristan was desperate for a father figure. Wanting to keep it light, I took my son from Mark and put him into his high chair. “Time for dinner, handsome.”
Turning, I watched Mark peruse the food on the countertop.
“What kind of potato salad is this?”
