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“I guess so,” she grumbled.
The door swung open behind her. “Griffin is here to see me. He changes diapers,” Tish offered with a grin.
Allie’s expression relaxed a little. “Okay, then.”
“Have I passed the test?” I teased lightly.
“Maybe,” Allie said with a shrug as she jogged down the stairs. Seconds later, she rounded the side of the house to cut through a path in the trees.
I looked over at Tish, and for a beat, my heart seized before kicking fast. She looked beautiful. She was still wearing her work clothes, a fitted blouse that flared around her hips, and a fitted skirt that came to her knees. Electricity sizzled like fire through my veins. Her hair was pulled back tightly. I wanted to bend her over on the closest surface I could find.
Just as I was thinking that, the sound of Teddy letting out an irritated wail broke my train of thought. Tish spun around, tossing over her shoulder, “Come on in!”
I closed the door behind me, kicking off my shoes and hanging my jacket up before I followed her into the living room. Teddy was in his playpen. Tish leaned down to pick him up, and he immediately stopped fussing.
“He’s tired,” she explained when she glanced over.
Teddy’s brow was furrowed and his cheeks were a little red. “How’s daycare going?”
I stopped beside them, and he looked up at me, studying me for a beat before he curled his head into her shoulder.
“They say he’s doing well.” Tish circled her palm on his back, murmuring in a soothing tone. “I just fed him. I predict he’ll be asleep any minute now.”
I watched as his eyes blinked before falling closed. “I think he’s on the way.”
“Let me put him down,” she whispered before turning and walking down the hallway.
I felt as if she had a string attached to me. I wanted to follow her, but I didn’t. I waited with leashed impatience.
“I forgot to stop by the store,” she announced as soon as she returned.
I studied her for a beat before stepping close and doing what I wanted. I slid an arm around her waist and dipped my head to brush a kiss over her lips. “You could’ve asked me.”
Her breath came out in a puff. “I’m adjusting.”
“To what?”
“Teddy being in daycare, figuring out my work. I feel like I’m constantly forgetting something. Although honestly, I’ve felt like that since I had him.”
“I bet. Being solely responsible for a human who’s dependent on you for everything might lead to a little bit of pressure and a small adjustment in life.”
She bit her lip as she smiled up at me. “Just a small adjustment.”
“Let me see what I can scrounge up for food. I can always make more mac and cheese,” I offered. “If you’d like me to run to the store, I’ll do that.”
“I feel bad about asking you to go to the store. I have mac and cheese and yogurt and oatmeal and a bunch of breastmilk.” She waggled her brows.
I chuckled. “How about we do mac and cheese? I can go by the grocery store tomorrow.”
“Griffin, you can’t do all the things,” she protested.
I held her gaze. “Tish, you’re busier than me right now. Any day now I might get called out to a fire. We’re headed into the winter so that probably won’t be the case. I’m doing training and getting to know the crew and admin stuff.” I paused and took a quick breath. “Fuck,” I muttered to myself.
“What?”
“I keep forgetting to take care of some HR paperwork. I hate doing paperwork.”
“I love paperwork!” Her tone was so earnest I couldn’t help but sputter a laugh. “I can do that while you make dinner. Or, I’ll make dinner while you do the paperwork.”
