Page 68 of The Troublemaker
When we reach the fork in the path, I don’t see any signs to go to the Reptile House.I go to move right, but Easton tugs at my shirt and pulls me left.
“It’s this way to the Reptile House?”I ask.
“Nope.”
“Well, let me see the map.I didn’t see the sign.”
“You think I’m not going to take you two to see the giraffes?”Easton says.
“But—”
“Stop arguing and get excited to see giraffes eating off the trees.”
I stop for a second but then catch up.“You were eavesdropping on us.”
He chuckles.“It’s a small condo, but yes, I overheard you telling Tanner how much he was going to love it.”
“I would’ve gone to the Reptile House.”I fall in line with him.
“I know you would have.”
When the giraffes come into view, Tanner kicks his feet.
“How long have you been pushing this giraffe thing?”Easton asks.
“We’ve been readingGiraffes Can’t Danceevery night.”
His eyes stay on me a little longer than they should and I shrug, moving to bend down to get Tanner out.
“We didn’t come all this way for us to be strapped in a stroller, right, Tanman?”I say.
Easton doesn’t move for a second but pushes the empty stroller as I carry Tanner toward the animals.He comes along my side at the exhibit fence.
“You’re really good with him.”Easton anchors us to his side, his arm extended along my back, his hand on the fence.“This okay?”
I nod, knowing we need to look like a loving family, but it’s intimate and nothing like I’m used to.Still, I don’t pull away.
“I’m surprised,” I say, changing the subject.“I thought I was going to massively fail at this.Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been so tired in my life.Up, down, up, down, crawl here, crawl there.Lift, put down, lift again.For someone who has never stuck to a workout schedule, my muscles are crying out, wondering why I’m torturing them so much.”
He laughs, and he’s so close to my ear, goose bumps sprinkle down my neck.
“I love seeing his reactions, and when I can make him stop crying or make him smile, it’s like a little golden star.I can’t explain it.”
Easton’s arm tightens and he leans in close.“I get it.”
A giraffe comes closer to us—it’s a baby following its mother.
“Oh, look!”I point, and Tanner turns in my arms, burying his head into my chest.
“He’s scared.”Easton places his hand on Tanner’s back.
I try to rock him a little and tell himit’s okay, the giraffe won’t get us.
“Every time things are going good, something else happens.”I hand him to Easton.I wouldn’t mind being the one to soothe Tanner, but if Easton is here, he should do it since he’s his father.I’m still trying to figure out where I fit in this equation.
“That’s the truth.This is foreign territory for both of us.”He holds Tanner, and Tanner yawns, putting his head on Easton’s shoulder.
Seriously, ovaries just burst because I’ll never get tired of looking at this.
