Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
I broke the kiss and turned to look back at him. Spit-up covered his little face as he wailed.
“Oh no,” I gasped and hurried over to pick him up.
“It’s okay,” I cooed. “I’ll get you all cleaned up. That stuff tastes nasty, doesn’t it?”
I grabbed the burp cloth and started to clean off his face, but he’d calmed down now that I was holding him. He was going to need a change of clothes though. I glanced up at Bowie, who was frowning as he watched me. He hadn’t moved from where I’d left him.
“Where’s Kye?” he asked, his tone clearly annoyed.
“Work stuff,” I explained, carrying Jagger over to the clean, folded clothes Kye had left out for me before he had to go. I picked up a pair of pajamas, then turned back to Bowie.
“Does he leave you to take care of his kid a lot?”
I took a deep breath. I wouldn’t get upset. Bowie had no idea how much Kye did for Jagger. He’d see that soon enough.
“No. He is here with him most of the time, but just like I have to work, so does he.”
Bowie rolled his eyes, then walked over to the sofa. “Mafia orders isn’t work. It’s crime.”
I realized Jagger didn’t understand what Bowie was saying, but I didn’t want him to hear bad things about his dad.
“Let’s not discuss our opinions on Kye,” I said, smiling down at Jagger so he wouldn’t feel any hostility in the air.
“Are you hungry?” I asked Bowie as I changed Jagger’s clothing.
“Yeah. I thought we’d go get something to eat, but I assumed Kye would be here for him,” he replied, nodding his head toward Jagger.
I was not going to get mad. I was not going to get mad. Bowie just needed to get used to Jagger. He would then stop acting like this sweet baby had somehow wronged him.
“I can make us something,” I offered.
He raised his eyebrows at that suggestion. “You don’t cook,” he replied.
Proud of myself, I tilted my head and smiled at him. “I’ll have you know, I’ve been watching the Cooking Channel. I can make a few things now.”
Bowie looked shocked. “You didn’t tell me that,” he said.
“I wanted to surprise you,” I told him.
I’d surprised Kye with fettucine Alfredo two nights ago. He’d raved about it as if he’d never had anything that good in his life. I knew he was full of crap, but I’d enjoyed it nonetheless.
“I wanted to start making dinner for Mom and Dad a few times a week. She’s got her hands full during the day, and I know she needs a break.”
Bowie grinned finally. “Okay, then, yes, I’d love to have my future wife show me what she’s learned. I’m assuming you have the stuff to make something vegan.”
Hearing him call me his wife was startling. Yes, we were engaged, but being a wife was different. It felt different.
“Yes. I got tofu just for you in my grocery order yesterday. No pressure or anything,” I teased, then stood back up with Jagger.
The front door swung open, and Kye came walking in with his leather jacket on, looking like some rock god. He ignored Bowie sitting on the sofa, although he had seen the truck outside and knew he was here. Instead, he looked at Jagger, then me.
“Everything good? Do I need to get anything?” he asked, walking over to me.
“I was just about to make vegan-style chicken Parmesan, but with tofu. I have chicken though and can make you some the regular way,” I told him.
He reached for Jagger. “I’ll take Jag. That sounds fucking delicious.” Turning with Jagger in his arms, he finally looked at Bowie. “Wait until you taste her cooking. She’s killing it in the kitchen.”
Bowie didn’t look amused or even remotely interested. He stood up. “Actually, since you’re back, I thought I’d take her out for a meal. Get her out of the house, where she’s not taking care of a baby constantly.”
I tensed. “Bowie,” I said, not liking the tone he’d taken. “I get out of the house, and please don’t say things like that, especially when Jagger can hear you.”
Bowie’s gaze swung to mine. “He’s an infant. He doesn’t know what the hell I’m saying.”
“Use your sweet words,” Kye corrected him.
Normally, this would make me laugh. Right now though, the tension was so thick that it was hard to take a deep breath.
“My what?” he asked, scowling at Kye.
I moved to stand between them. “I don’t allow cussing in front of the baby,” I explained. “Why don’t you come with me to the kitchen? I can cook, and we can all eat. If you want to go out and do something, we can do that after.”
Bowie frowned as he looked down at me. I reached out and touched his arm, hoping to calm him. This wasn’t how I’d wanted things to go. I’d been so sure that with one look at Jagger, he’d soften. Silly me had even thought he’d change his feelings about Kye.