Page 19 of Nothing to This

“Hey, Nana,” JD said.

When he started toward his sister, she stopped him with a shove.

“Brenna is my children’s aunt,” she said and leaned closer to whisper, “people at daycare know that.”

Leaving the elevator, they let others in, keeping the cogs moving.

Brenna squinted at her, puzzled.“Yeah, and he should too.Do I have to introduce myself?I know it’s been a while, but you remember I’m your little sister, right?You probably forgot.That would be why Mom and I didn’t get a call about you being in town.”

“In town?”she said.“He bought the damn building.”

“Oh my God!”Brenna grabbed her hand to pull her closer.“And I stood you up last night?I’m a bitch.Damn, I missed the gossip.”

“No, you missed Daddy enduringThe Little Mermaid,” she said on a laugh Brenna got in on.

JD didn’t appreciate being the butt of the joke.

“He came over?”Brenna asked and linked their arms.“Does Baxter know?Oh, we have so much to talk about!”

“Did you make up with Lotta?”

Whispering, Brenna’s embrace tightened on her arm.“Like I said, lots to talk about.Let’s go get our dates.”

JD caught her arm.“Ry…”

Brenna looked between them, then let her go.“Want me to go grab ‘em?”

“Please,” she said.Brenna faded from their side.“She’ll be back with the kids in a minute.What is it, JD?”

“They let just anyone pick up our children?”he asked.“Security needs to be updated.”

She picked lint from his sleeve.“Not just anyone.You wouldn’t be allowed to pick them up,” she said.“I have to list approved persons.Only me, Brenna, and your mom are on there.”

Keeping one eye out, the twins could appear any second.He better spit out whatever was on his mind fast.

“Do you want to get dinner tonight?”

“Last night didn’t scare you off,” she stated.

“I’ll take you all out.Anywhere you want.I’ll fire up the jet, we can get out of state.No one will know us—”

“Dinner would be great, except I already have plans.”

“Brenna can come, I don’t see enough of my sister.And the kids think she’s okay, right?They tolerate her?”

She laughed.“They adore their aunt, but my plans are not with Brenna,” she said.He just kept looking at her, waiting for an explanation.The truth might not amuse him.“This is your weekend, JD.I drop the kids off at your mom’s after work.”

“After work, right,” he said and took a step back.“I can’t just pick them up from daycare?”

“You’re not on the list,” she said and laughed.“Bet you don’t hear that much… I have to talk to my lawyer before we think about changing routines.”Dejection settled over him.Damn, it didn’t feel good to be the source.“Will you think about it before we make any decisions?”

“Think about what?”

“Do you want the world to know you sired your assistant’s children?”

Pleasure replaced his negativity with a smile.“Sired?Damn, we should use that word more often.It’s a turn on.”

She smoothed his tie.“Did you explain that expression to your daughter?She’ll be walking around the corner any second.You can take the chance now if you haven’t.”