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His eyes landed on mine, my face burning with humiliation. Why had I just said that to him?
If he was upset by my words, Banks didn’t say. In fact, a knowing smile washed over his expression as he returned, “That’s good to know.” Looking down at his son, who was now settled in his lap, Banks declared, “Lucky for me, you’ve got an early bedtime.”
Getting his father’s attention, Rhys was back to being happy as a clam and started speaking a bunch of baby gibberish. It was good, because it gave me a moment to try to come to grips with Banks indicating he was looking forward to having time alone with me.
Part of me wanted it and was even eager for it. But there was another part of me that was terrified. I didn’t know if I knew how to do anything like this anymore—to be alone with a man I liked.
It wasn’t easy to wrap my head around Banks’s interest in spending time alone with me tonight, so it was a good thing Rhys had inserted himself into the mix. Banks and I focused nearly all of our attention on his little boy for the remainder of dinner and even in the time afterward, whenwe pushed the plates to the side and Banks set Rhys on top of the table.
The time ticked by quickly—something I noticed was always the case whenever I was around them—and Banks declared, “I should probably get him upstairs for his bath, so he can start winding down for the night.”
Nodding, I insisted, “Go. Take care of him, and I’ll get everything cleaned up here.”
“Lamise, you don’t have to do that.”
“Nonsense. You’re giving me a place to stay tonight, and you’ve fed me. It’s the least I can do. There is just one thing I need before you take off upstairs.”
“What’s that?”
“A kiss.”
Banks’s eyes widened, and his body jerked back. “What?”
I nearly burst out laughing at his horrified reaction. With a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth, I reached out for Rhys and said, “I need to give this boy a kiss before he goes to bed.”
Without waiting, I lifted Rhys in my arms, cuddled him close, and gave him several kisses on his cheeks as I squeezed him.
“Goodnight, Rhys.”
After getting my fill and giving Rhys more love than he could probably stand, I handed him back off to his dad, noting the strange look on Banks’s face. Clearly, he thought I meant I wanted a kiss from him. Truth be told, I didn’t know if that was the case just yet. I liked him, but being fond of someone wasn’t necessarily the same as committing to a relationship—not that I was assuming Banks wanted a relationship with me.
“I’ll be back as soon as I get him settled,” he said softly.
“Take your time.”
As Banks took off with Rhys, so he could give him his bath and get him ready for bed, I went about cleaning up the table and Rhys’s highchair. After getting everything brought over to the sink and either handwashed or put inside the dishwasher, I went back and wiped the table and highchair down. Finally, I cleaned up the floor, particularly underneath where Rhys was seated. He’d made a mess, but it didn’t bother me in the least. He ate and enjoyed himself, and that was all that mattered to me.
Once I had everything cleaned up, I made up a bottle for Rhys. I didn’t want to intrude on their evening routine together, but I figured it’d be easier on Banks if he didn’t need to come back downstairs to get it. So, I took it up and put it in Rhys’s bedroom. As I was walking out of the room, Banks had stepped out of the bathroom carrying Rhys. Only Rhys’s round face was showing, considering he was wrapped up in his blue hooded elephant towel.
“You look adorable, Rhys,” I said. Banks shot me a questioning look, so I quickly explained, “I put his bottle in on the table beside the glider, so you wouldn’t have to walk back down for it.”
He smiled and gave me a nod. “Thanks, Lamise.”
“No problem. I’ll head back down.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away. I waited downstairs on the couch for Banks to return, scrolling mindlessly through my phone. Surprisingly, the time passed quickly, and before I knew it, he’d walked into the room.
“Hey. Did he go down okay?” I asked.
Banks dipped his chin. “He did. Then again, I’ve been finding it takes him less and less time to fall asleep these days. I’m guessing it’s a combination of the constantstimulation he gets from you throughout the day mixed with a growth spurt.”
“That’s definitely possible. He certainly plays hard all day long, and he is a growing boy,” I noted.
“Before I sit down, would you like a glass of wine or a cup of coffee or tea?” he offered.
“Oh, um, are you getting something for yourself?” I asked.
“Probably some decaf.”
