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“Yes?” She looked up at him.
Breathe, Walker.“Would you go out with me?”
She blinked. Her mouth parted.
He gulped, hating the silence that lengthened between them. “Bebe?”
“Sure.” The look on her face was hesitant, but her voice was certain.
A whoosh of air left his lungs. She’d said yes.Yes!He couldn’t have contained his grin if he tried. “Great.”
“It can be a working date. We’ll check out the reindeer.” She grinned and took the last bite of her donut.
His shoulders dropped. A working date? Really?Then again, if that made her more comfortable, he would agree to it. “Deal.” He offered his hand, bracing for ... what, he wasn’t sure.
She glanced down and carefully placed her hand in his. He squeezed it lightly, then let go despite the longing to hold on.
“What’s a date?” Hope stared up at him quizzically.
Oops.He’d forgotten all about her for a moment.Smooth move, Walker.
“A date is when two people go somewhere together to have fun,” Bebe explained.
“Oh. Then we go on dates all the time, Mama.”
He chuckled. “That’s because she’s fun to be around, isn’t she?”
“The best.” Hope’s smile turned into a frown. “I wish my dad would take me on a date. He’s always too busy.” She sighed. “Or maybe he doesn’t think I’m any fun.” Her bottom lip quivered.
If he ever met Bebe’s ex-husband he’d... Jahleel released a deep breath. “Some grown-ups forget to have fun. It doesn’t mean that you’re not fun. It’s their problem, not yours, ’kay?”
Hope smiled with relief.
Bebe flashed him a look of gratitude. He nodded, too upset to say anything else. What made a man think he could have a child and just be done, never showing up when needed? Despite the issues he had with his own father, Obadiah Walker had always been there. Granted, he rained judgment every opportunity he could get, but his presence had never been lacking. It was one of the reasons Jahleel had applied to an out-of-state school. He needed to breathe. Become his own man without the self-righteous judgment of his father weighing him down.
Seeing Hope, part of him felt guilty for not seeing the blessing of a two-parent home.
“Would you go out on a date with me, Mr. Walker? Or could you come to one of my flag football games?” Hope peered up at him.
“You play flag football?” He glanced between her and Bebe, who nodded.
“Yep. I’m one of the running backs, and then I switch and get to play safety.”
“That’s awesome, Hope. I’d love to come.”
She threw her arms around him, squeezing with all her seven-year-old might. “Great! My game is next Saturday.”
“I’ll be there.”
Hope turned and then squealed. She looked at Bebe. “I see Jenny. Can I go say hi?”
“Of course.”
She took off running.
“Walk!” Bebe called after her.
Hope speed-walked the rest of the way.
