Page 24

Chapter 23

Scuba

A s I was tying a ribbon on the small box, Eric came downstairs and climbed up to sit on one of the barstools.

I didn’t care that he loved the high chairs, but his mom hated him sitting on them. I probably should have told him to get down, but sometimes, a kid needed to learn on their own.

Besides, I loved his bravery.

“What’s that?” Eric leaned up on the island to the point where he was practically standing up. He was probably hoping to get a good look at the small box, but it was fully wrapped up and even looked pretty, if I didn’t say so myself. It wasn’t like it was professionally wrapped, but all the edges were neat, and it was a hell of a lot better than anything I wrapped the last time I gave Annie a gift.

“A gift for your mom.”

I slid the box across the marble surface so Eric could look at it. He immediately picked it up and shook the package. There was a bit of a rattle in the long, thin box. I loved his innocence in doing that, but I couldn’t help positioning myself behind him and holding an arm behind his back when he was standing on the chair.

“Is it jewelry?” Eric asked.

I plucked the box from his hand.

I would have gotten Annie jewelry if I wanted to ask her out or make a move on her if she was anyone else. But she never liked my over-the-top gestures. So, I went with the practical route for her. It was a doggie poop bag holder with a flashlight, doggie paw wipes, and a new leather leash that could be adjusted to walk multiple dogs at the same time. Sadly, the little purple treat bag wouldn’t arrive for another couple of days, but at least this was a good start to gifts that would let her know I still cared.

“Nope. Just some things to let her know I’m thinking about her and that I want her to be a rockstar.”

Eric gave me a toothy grin and a thumbs up.

My kid was on board with gifting things to his mom. Hopefully, he would be my little wingman when it came to wooing his mom. Seeing her opening up to me, being a good mom and friend, and just being around her, I was tired of just coexisting. It was time for me to make a move.

Speaking of time, I needed Eric to sit down before his mom came down to make breakfast since she would kill me if Eric fell or if I even just let him stand on the chair.

“Come on, let’s have some breakfast. And sit down before your mom catches you.”

“Can you make the Mickey Mouse pancakes again?” he asked eagerly.

I had a feeling he would ask for those, but I made a face.

In my shopping frenzy for Annie, I also picked up some pancake molds since Eric absolutely adored our pancake feasts. Then again, I loved them, too, and it seemed like they could be a ton of fun.

“Why should we make Mickey Mouse ones when we can make dinosaurs?”

Eric looked a little skeptical. “What type of dinosaurs?”

I pulled out the plastic molds that looked suspiciously like cookie cutters and said, “So we got a T-Rex, a brontosaurus, and a triceratops.”

“Let’s make all of them.”

I chuckled. Of course, he would want all of them because how could you choose between the awesomeness?

I pulled out everything we needed to make the pancakes: the mix, a bowl, and the griddle. Then, I looked at my kid. “We can’t do the super fun pancakes today. You have school today. Chocolate chip and fluff-covered ones are only a weekend thing.”

Eric looked dejected but muttered, “I know.”

Putting a finger under Eric’s chin to make sure he knew it was nothing personal, I looked at him as he smiled and said, “But any chance you could make my lunch today?”

“Let me guess. You want your apple slices, some nuts, a banana, and a peanut butter and fluff sandwich with no crust.”

Eric nodded enthusiastically.

Annie wasn’t pleased by how hyper Eric got the first time I made him the sandwich, but I couldn’t deny my kid something so good. Besides, this time, it would be the school that had to deal with the hyper kid. So, I didn’t see the harm in making his favorite lunch. Hell, I’d come to make it for him on a semi-regular basis before going to practice.

From there, I went to work on the pancakes. I was just testing the griddle to see if it was warm enough when Annie came through the garage door.

Oh damn, I didn’t realize she was already out on a walk.

“Early morning. Did everything go well, and do you want any pancakes?” I turned around and asked her.

“No, I’m good.” Then she looked at Eric. “Just a little bit of syrup. No other fun stuff.”

“I know. Dad already told me,” Eric whined.

I shouldn’t let him whine, but two things. One, he was finally calling me Dad, which I adored, and two, after him being too docile, I was okay with some whining as long as it was appropriate.

Annie gave him that look that seemed to come with becoming a mom. It wasn’t mean, but it caused both Eric and I to immediately straighten up.

Turning back around, I focused on making the pancakes. It was kind of fun to see all the fun shapes take form from the liquid mix.

Just then, Eric spoke up and said, “Daddy got you a gift.”

I looked over at the two of them as Annie grabbed the present from the island and carefully tore the wrapping. “What’s this for?”

“I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you.”

Plus, I want to get you back. But since I don’t think you’re ready for another relationship, here we are.