Page 47 of Dissolving Prejudice

“She really is.” He kissed her head right before June reached her hands forward toward Andrei, who took her from Chief’s arms.

I was ashamed to admit I was jealous of him because I wanted to hold her, too.

“What do you say, baby girl, wanna go play in the yard?” Andrei asked, and June nodded. He then looked up at Chief. “Where’s Cyrus?”

“Resting with Soren. He’ll probably be up soon, so you better enjoy the quiet while you can.”

“Does he cry a lot?” I asked, making Andrei laugh.

“No. But whenever he’s awake, Jess finds his way here, and he’s the one making all the noise.”

That sounded very suitable for Jessie.

With June in his arms, Andrei started walking toward the sliding door leading outside. I wanted to follow them when Chief spoke. “What’s that?” he asked, pointing over the basket.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I walked toward Dion’s gift. “I think my boss has a crush on Soren.”

Chief responded with a tired sigh. “That’s the guy who keeps sending us excessive gifts?”

“Probably.”

“I really wish Soren would stop taking scum like that as clients,” he said, mostly to himself, before he grabbed the basket with two hands. “I’m going to find a place for it. You feel at home, Diesel.” He was about to move when he stopped. “We’re having a BBQ this afternoon. Why don’t you stay?”

Since I wanted to wait until the other baby was awake anyway, it sounded like a sweet excuse, so I nodded. “Yeah, I’d love that.” What could I say? I fucking loved babies. They were precious little beings that needed protection at all costs.

“Oh, by the way,” I said, and he turned to eye me.

“What is it?”

“Being a dad looks good on you.”

Chief’s expression softened as he gave me a genuine smile that reached his kind eyes.

“Thank you.”

I spent the next few hours playing with June and Cyrus, who, by now, were my favorite people in this world after Shay-Lee. We played dolls and read picture books, built sand castles, and even made my awesome vegan pancakes. Unfortunately, after all that fun, it was time for the kids to rest while we waited for the food to be ready for our BBQ.

With Soren and Chief in the kitchen, busy with the last preparation for the meal, Andrei and I were chilling by the pool. Since it was still winter, it was too cold to dive in, but the weather was nice enough to lie on the beds by the pool. Until a few minutes ago, Jessie and Levi were also with us, but they’d gone inside the house to do whatever.

Sipping from the beer I had taken earlier, I enjoyed the cold, bitter drink, then placed the bottle on the floor, savoring this rare moment of peacefulness.

“You look happy,” Andrei said after he took a sip from his own drink.

“Life’s good at the moment.” And it was. I’d spent the day with two little angels and now was enjoying a cold one.

“Yeah?”

I nodded, taking another gulp. “Absolutely.”

“What about Shay-Lee?”

Finishing my beer, I smiled. “Things are good with him, too.”

“Seriously?” Andrei asked, his face full of doubt.

“Fuck yeah. He’s starting to crack.”

I hadn’t reached out to Shay-Lee ever since what happened in my apartment Saturday evening. He was finally starting to let down his guard and show me the parts of him he showed no one else. His words hurt, and the fact I’d failed him would forever haunt me, but his breaking down was a good sign. It showed his true emotions. In a moment of anger, he even admitted to loving me. I had no doubt that he had, but hearing him say it out loud brought me hope.