Page 50 of Finding Us
One blinding smile by that little temptress, andboom,she’s got my kid under her spell too. He hasn’t even turned six yet, and although impressionable, he’s too young to be smitten by a girl.
I enter the kitchen and find Blake rinsing and packing his plate and cup from breakfast into the dishwasher. He’s such a good boy and gives me no trouble. It’s sad his mother couldn’t see how wonderful he is, but that’s her loss, I guess.
Today is his first day of kindergarten, and I’m not sure how I feel about seeing him dressed in his school uniform. He looks so grown up. It’s a reminder of how much of his life I missed out on before he came to live with me, but I’m grateful to have him now. It’s nice to have some family again.
“Why don’t you go brush your teeth before we leave, and I’ll get your lunch out of the fridge and pack it into your bag.”
“Okay, Dad.”
He seems excited about today; me, not so much. This whole parent thing is still relatively new to me … it’s been a long time since I’ve had to worry about anyone other than myself.
I reach into the fridge and grab the sandwiches the girls made especially for him last night at Bridge, adding some fruit, snacks, and a bottle of water into the bag.
“You ready to leave?” I ask when he comes bounding back into the kitchen.
“Yes.”
After locking the front door, we head down the corridor towards the lift. “How are you feeling? Are you nervous?”
“A little,” he replies. “I hope Braydon is in my class.”
“Even if he isn’t, you’ll still get to play with him at recess and lunch.”
“I know.”
“Listen,” I say, “I called the school yesterday.” I’m only telling him now, because I didn’t want him to worry about it all night … like I did. “Your new teacher is a lady, but the principal assured me that’s she’s really nice. Okay?”
“Do you think she’ll be as nice as Jazzie?”
I roll my eyes.Fucking Jazzie.This kid has it bad. “I bet she’s even nicer,” I answer as we step into the lift. “You know if you have any problems today, you can go to the office and they’ll call me.”
“Okay, Dad.”
“Good boy,” I say, ruffling his hair.
He’s definitely taking this better than I am. I’ve been feeling sick in my stomach ever since I picked up his school uniform a few days ago. I’m not sure if I’m ready for this.
When the lift stops on the floor below ours, my first thought is I hope it’s not Red waiting to get on. Fate being the bitch she is, I’m not surprised when the doors open and I find her standing there, looking like a fucking goddess. Her long hair is down today and draped over one shoulder. She’s dressed in a tight, pink top that stops just above the waistband of her body-hugging white jeans. My eyes focus on the sliver of skin showing, and I remember all too well how soft it felt under my touch. She has a killer body, and unfortunately, my cock agrees.
“Jazzie,” Blake screams with such enthusiasm it echoes in the tight space.
Leaping forward, he throws his arms around her legs, and I’m starting to wonder if she put some kind of potion in his food the other day.It’s concerning.A simple offer of a cookie and he did a complete one-eighty. It makes me anxious about what might happen if some creep approaches him with sweets. Will he go? That thought sets off a panic inside me. I make a mental note to have the stranger danger talk with him tonight.
“Look how handsome you are in your little tie and jacket,” Jacinta says to him, and I cock an eyebrow.What about me?I’m wearing a tie and jacket too, but I get no praise. When I clear my throat, her pretty blue eyes flicker in my direction before skimming the length of my body. “You’re a little overdressed for feeding the homeless don’t you think?”
The fuck!
“I see you’re jumping to conclusions again, Red.”
She lifts one shoulder. “I’m just calling it like I see it.”
“I actually have a nine-to-five office job smart-arse—on top of the hours I put in at Bridge—you know, hence the suit.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh.”
I still can’t figure out how this woman manages to push all my buttons and arouse me at the same time.
