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“Yes, it was.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“I bought it!”
I glare at his smile, but somehow, my annoyance fades beneath the playfulness in his eyes. The kindness in his smile.
Scott takes another drink, then pushes his bottle aside. “Look, Lottie... I’m sorry about yesterday. I shouldn’t have called you entitled.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
“Pretty lady gets up in my face like that, I just gotta rile her up a bit. It’s a bad habit.”
I will myself not to smile. “Very bad.”
“Please allow me the chance to make it up to you.”
“You already have, Scott,” I say.
He looks at me, his soft eyes turning serious. “I apologize if I’m overstepping here, but I know a good family law attorney. She can help you with your situation.”
“Oh, no,” I say, looking down. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Today, I watched a man dump his child on a porch, alone, and drive off,” he says. “No, Lottie. I have to do something.”
I close my eyes as shame washes over me.
“Mommy?”
I turn around and smile at Liam’s tired little eyes. “Hey, honey,” I say, extending a hand to him. He walks over and I pull him onto my lap. “You want to go home? Get in bed?”
He nods.
“Okay.” I kiss his head, holding him close. “Thank you again for watching him today,” I say to Scott.
“No need to thank me.” Scott smiles. “I’m happy to do it.”
“Uh...” I cringe. “I’m about to be a horrible neighbor again here.”
“You work tomorrow?”
“Just the morning shift,” I say. “Eight to two. Mark was supposed to keep him overnight until then, but...”
I close my mouth.
“Of course,” Scott says. “Drop him off in the morning. I’ll watch him.”
“Are you sure?” I ask. “Don’t say yes if you’re busy or if you have plans or?—”
“I’m not busy. I have no plans. Not any that don’t involve angrily assembling bookshelves, anyway.”
I smile. “I’ll bring him by around seven-thirty.”
Scott nods. “Looking forward to it,” he says, smiling at Liam. “We had fun today, didn’t we, buddy?”
Liam doesn’t answer, too sleepy.
But I trust my gut.
