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I pause to peek at the people in the park before moving toward the door. Instead of knocking, I place my thumb on the keypad, wondering if it will work.
It unlocks and I reach forward, twisting the knob with a racing heart. When I walk in, I expect to find him alone. But he’s not.
On his lap is a dark-haired, blue-eyed little boy.
“Oh my God,” I whisper, “You have akid.”
18
EASTON
Same day
Lexi stares at me with shock in her eyes. The tote bag in her hand crashes to the floor and a few books spill out.
“Uh-oh,” Connor says.
I stand and hold him in my arms as I move to her.
She’s frozen in place, staring between us. “I should’ve asked. I didn’t realize …”
“It’s fine; don’t worry about it,” I tell her, bending over to help her pick up everything. “You had no issues getting in?”
“Wee,” Connor says, laughing as I hold him tight against me.
“None.” Her cheeks burn bright red, and she doesn’t look in my direction as I hand her the bag.
Then, I see her mentally build the brick wall, masking her emotions. She moves to the kitchen and puts something on the counter.
“Airplane!” Connor demands, and I hold him at his waist, flying him like Superman around the leather couch.
I walk around the living room as he screams and laughs, enjoying every minute. When I look up, Lexi smiles and watches us.
“This is Connor Calloway,” I tell her. “And he’s coming in for a landing!Vrooooooooooom.” I try my best with the sound effects, flying him back to the couch and swiping his belly against the cushions.
I set him down and he climbs back onto my lap.
Lexi joins us.
“Hi, I’m Lexi,” she says to him, holding her hand out.
He shakes his head, tucking his face into my chest.
“Don’t be shy,” I whisper. “She’sverynice.”
Lexi chuckles. “He looks so muchlike you.” Her voice is light and playful.
“Yeah, he’s a dead ringer for me and Weston.” I give her a smirk.
That sparkle returns to her eyes as she turns back to Connor. “How old are you?”
“Three,” he says, holding up four fingers.
“He’s two and a half. But his mother would say thirty months.” I bend his fingers down. “Two.”
Mischievously, he flips me off. Weston taught him that. It takes everything I have not to laugh, and Connor points his loaded finger at her.
“Manners,” I say. “A gentleman doesn’t act like that toward a lady.”