Mack shifted uncomfortably at her earnest expression. “I might be able to get you a CD.”
“Really? Thank you. It would mean a lot.” She gave a wobbly smile, and her eyes filled.
His chest fluttered. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a bit sleep deprived,” Kalia said, trying to hide her face.
Mani shook the rattle, bounced, and babbled.
Kalia glanced at him. “He’s showing off his musical talent.”
“He looks like a drummer I know,” he said, thinking of Tuck.
“I should probably feed him before his starts fussing.”
My cue to go, Mack thought, strangely reluctant. He nodded. “I’ll drop that CD in your mailbox.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“Bye, big guy,” he said to Mani. “Keep making music. See you around,” he said to Kalia. “I’ll let myself out.”
Kalia picked up Mani and carried him to the sofa. She loved these quiet moments breastfeeding. It felt like nature’s way of making sure she slowed down and took a moment to relax.
She stroked Mani’s soft hair. He really was a good baby. He had settled into a manageable routine. Sleep, eat, poop, and play. Pretty simple life. Kalia was keeping up and trying to relax and enjoy him. She was figuring it out. It was a slow process, but each day, she felt a bit more confident.
She was getting used to being on her own, too. She missed Krista’s company, but she hadn’t realized how much she’d fretted about keeping Mani quiet or trying to fit Mani’s schedule to suit Krista. It was surprisingly less stressful with Krista gone.
The pain and grief of Alexandre’s death was easing. She still missed him. She sighed. It was getting better. It had eased down from the someone-ripped-my-heart-out grief to an ache that occasionally caught her off guard. Sometimes Mani had this twinkle in his eye that set it off. He had the look of Alexandre, and it could have been a constant sad reminder. But it wasn’t. It was a comfort. Deep in her heart she felt Alexandre keeping her and Mani safe. It warmed her to have a guardian angel looking out for her and Mani.
Idly, she wondered what Alexandre would think of her neighbor. What did she think of him? He was hot. Definitely hot, she thought, picturing him shirtless. Smokey green eyes and that sexy smile he used sparingly. She loved the way he talked to Mani.
Yeah, definitely hot.
And he was an amazing guitar player. That was a lifeline for her and Mani. He wasn’t pushy or aggressive. He was always a bit wary, just a bit unsure. She liked that. There was just enough disinterest that she was interested. On the fringes of being interested, she thought as she lifted Mani up to rub his back until he burped.
Oh, wait. Did Mack still think she was gay? That might change things, she thought with a chuckle.
She put Mani to the other breast. Didn’t really matter. She didn’t see dating any time soon in her future. That would take more energy than she had right now. Plus, she couldn’t leave Mani with a sitter just yet. He was too little and still breastfeeding. And the ache in her heart for Alexandre still had to ease up before she could make room for another.
So yeah, if she had more energy, if she didn’t have to worry about Mani, if she wasn’t still grieving for Alex, and if Mack didn’t think she was gay, it could definitely work.
Chapter 15
Mack sat at his computer, almost frustrated enough to give up. The European contract had been sent to him. Normally Renee would take care of it, but the day before, she had landed in the hospital with appendicitis. Since the papers had to be signed and sent back in seventy-two hours, he was the default.
Normally he wouldn’t mind. The contracts were all fairly standard except for the actual dates and revenue split. But this one was in German. He hadn’t been expecting that. And after spending all day with an online translator and only getting a paragraph done that still didn’t make sense, he was ready to check into the hospital himself.
He tried putting in shorter phrases and individual words, but it hadn’t helped. He raked his hands through his hair and decided to take a break and order Thai take-out.
He reached for the phone and placed his order for delivery.
“I’m sorry, sir. Our minimum order for delivery is fifty dollars.”
“What? Really? Is that new?”
“Yes, sir. It is. Would you like to pick that up instead?”
No, he really wouldn’t. Shit. He really felt like Thai, but there’d already be plenty for leftovers. Should he scrap it and order pizza instead? He sighed. He glanced out the window and saw Kalia outside playing with Mani on a blanket. He wondered if Gay Momma liked Thai food.
“Give me the same order twice and pack it in separate bags,” he decided finally.
“Okay. Two of everything on your order. It will be there in half an hour.”
“Great. Thanks.”
Mack went back to his computer and painstakingly continued the translation.
When the doorbell rang, he paid the driver for the food and took one of the bags. “Could you deliver the other half of the order to the house next door?”
“Yes sir, no problem,” the driver said with a wave.
“Thanks.” Mack carried his order inside, reached in the bag, and pulled out a carton. He ripped open the chopsticks and sat at his dining room table, working while he ate.
Later in the evening, Mack heard a knock at the front door. He contemplated ignoring it. He wasn’t expecting anyone and wasn’t in any mood to deal with whoever was there. When he heard the knock again a few minutes later, he got up with an oath and went to answer it.
He pulled the door open, scowling, and saw Kalia with a grinning Mani in her arms.
“Hi,” Kalia said, her smile faltering as she looked at him. “Rough day?”
“A little,” Mack said, controlling his features as he looked at Mani.
Kalia held up a little paper bag. “I believe I got all the fortune cookies,” she said. “Thank you very much for the Thai food. What a lovely surprise! It was delicious, and it was such a treat not to have to cook.”
“Ah, you’re welcome. It’s a great little take-out place, but you need a hefty order for them to deliver.” He smiled. “I thought I would share.”
“Well, thank you very much for thinking of us. I can pay for half of it,” she offered.
“No, that’s not necessary. It’s on me.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Well, thanks again. We’ll have to pay you back and have you over for dinner.”
Nice, but how would that work with Screaming Baby? He nodded vaguely.
“Okay. It looks like we interrupted you. We’ll say good-night.” She handed him the fortune cookies. “Mine said I will find peace and quiet,” she said with a laugh. “I’m hoping that will mean Mani will sleep through the night again. Have a good evening.” She turned to go.
“Auf wiedersehen,” he muttered under his breath, stepping back to shut the door.
Kalia turned. “Gute nacht,” she said with a perfect accent.
Mack stared. “What did you just say?”
“I said good night. Do you speak German?”
“No.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I know ‘good-bye.’ That’s it. I’m trying to translate a German contract, and it’s a nightmare. I have exactly forty-eight hours to figure it out and the last twelve haven’t exactly been a walk in the park. Sorry,” he said. “I’m bad company. You caught me in the middle of it.”
“You’re trying to translate a contract from German to English?”
“Yeah. Know any German?” he asked with a crooked smile.
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
Mack blinked. “Seriously?”
“Yes. I’m fluent in German.”
“It’s pretty technical.”
Kalia smiled. “I could probably help.”
Mack thought about the agonizing hours he had spent and the little
progress he had made. And the time crunch they were under.
“I could look at it and tell you whether I could help you with it,” she offered.
“You don’t know how much I would appreciate that.” He stepped back and invited her inside. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” Kalia followed him into the kitchen. “Oh, I like this. It’s a bit different than my place. I have a desk where you have your dining room table. But I like your idea of putting a comfy chair to sit and read in the nook.”
“Yeah, it works for me. Excuse the mess.” Mack cleared away the scattered papers and reached for the empty take-out containers littering the table.
“Is it on your computer?” Kalia asked, eyeing the laptop.
Mack nodded. “But I’ve printed out a hard copy and was using Google Translate.”
Kalia laughed. “Well, I definitely can do better than that.” She looked at Mani. “If I could set him down on a blanket, he’d probably be content to play with his rattle.”
“I’ll grab one.” Mack left and returned a minute later with a blanket. He spread it out on the floor.
“Perfect,” she said. “If he starts to fuss, music works. Can I use your computer?”
“Sure.” Mack opened it up and found the contract. He handed Kalia the hard copy.
Kalia flipped through. “Only four pages long. It’s probably easier if I start from scratch.”
Kalia sat at the computer, and with fingers flying she moved between reading the contract and typing. She asked one question to clarify a point but otherwise didn’t chat and didn’t hesitate as she flipped from one page to the next.
Mack thought about offering Kalia a coffee, but she was so intent on the job he didn’t dare disturb her. He set a glass of water on the table for her, and she reached for it, her eyes never leaving the computer screen.
Mani started to gurgle and squirm, so Mack picked up his guitar and played the new riff. Mani quieted, and his eyelids slowly drooped and closed.
Strumming idly, he watched Kalia. He really shouldn’t stare, but she was a stunner. Her skin looked soft, and when she smiled, she smiled with her eyes. He’d seen what was under that shirt – more soft skin. It was an image that was hard to erase. Her fingers flew over the keyboard. No wrinkled brow. No frustrated sighs. Just cool as a cucumber. It was sexy as hell.
He winced. He needed to dial down the lust. It was a one-way street to nowhere.
Mani rustled in his sleep, and Mack glanced over at him. He was cute – took after his mom in that regard. The screaming was hell, but to give the tyke credit, the daily screaming seemed a thing of the past.
Kalia cleared her throat. Mack stopped strumming and looked at her.
“There you go,” she said. “I finished the last of it and saved it to your hard drive. It wasn’t difficult. It looks fairly straightforward, but there were more specific terms on the last page.”
Mack set his guitar aside and stood up. “You’re done? I’ve been at it for a full day and only managed half a page. How did you do that?”
Kalia smiled. “It’s what I do for a living. I provide translation services.” She shrugged. “I’m working part-time now because of Mani.”
“That’s amazing. Thank you. Really.”
“No problem. It seems like a small payment for everything you’ve done for Mani and me. I didn’t realize you were Shades,” she said sheepishly. “I didn’t put it together. I love your music.”
“Thanks.” He hesitated. Did a straight guy ask a gay woman, who was involved in a relationship, for a drink? Or was that weird? It felt weird. “Would you like a beer or wine or something?” But out it popped.
Kalia looked down at Mani, sleeping soundly. “Sure, thanks. I’d love a glass of wine.”
She seemed to take that in stride, Mack thought. What was he doing? She was so damned sexy. And smart. And didn’t seem awed or star-struck over the band. But she was gay. She wasn’t the first gay person he had come across, but she was the first he felt a pull with.
It felt weird.
He felt unsure.
He hated feeling unsure.
Kalia wandered over to the island in the kitchen.
“White or red?” he asked.
“White, please.”
Mack reached into a wine fridge and selected a bottle of white wine and grabbed two wine glasses from an adjacent cupboard. He frowned. “This won’t hurt Mani?”
Kalia smiled. “No, an occasional glass with breastfeeding is safe.”
He opened the bottle deftly, poured them each a glass, and handed one to Kalia. “To friends with useful talents.” Mack raised his glass.
Kalia laughed and clinked hers to his. “I can drink to that.” She took a sip, closed her eyes in appreciation, and then looked at Mack. “So what’s your hidden talent?”
Is she flirting with me? His brain scrambled to sort through the weird. What the hell? He was game. “Fast fingers and endless patience are all I’ve ever needed,” he drawled.
Kalia stared. And swallowed.
“How about you?” he asked.
“Hmmm,” she replied. “Knowing how to use my silken tongue is really all I’ve got.”
Mack felt himself harden. “Probably all you need,” he acknowledged, saluting her with a tip of the wine glass. He took a big gulp.
Kalia smiled.
Mani cooed from his spot on the floor.
Kalia looked over at him. “You awake, little one?” She finished her wine and set down her glass. “We should get going. I’m trying to keep a routine for him, and it’s time for his bath and bedtime. Thanks again for the take-out. It was a fun surprise.”
“Wasn’t it just,” Mack murmured under his breath.
Kalia picked up Mani and cuddled him close. Mani quieted and rooted for a breast.
Kalia laughed and a flush spread over her cheeks. “He’s got a one-track mind,” she commented.
And I’m part of that club, Mack thought as he admired her curves. Focus, he chided himself. “Kalia, thanks again for helping with the contract,” he said as she walked to the door.
“My pleasure. See you around.” She smiled and waved and sashayed across his front lawn to her house.
Mack waited until she was safely inside her house and then closed his door and blew out a breath. Next time he should just order pizza.
Kalia filled the bathtub with warm water for Mani’s bath. She trailed her fingers in the water, testing the temperature. Mani sat in a little bucket seat on the floor next to her playing with his rattle.
It was fun flirting with Mack. She missed that. He was clever, and she could stare into those green eyes all day. She chuckled at their “hidden talents.” Fast fingers and endless patience. Mmmm … sign me up.
Kalia shut the water off. She undressed Mani, tickled his belly, and lifted him to lie on a terry cloth recliner she’d put in the bathtub. He was a slippery little devil in the tub. Luckily, Teresa, being the wise and experienced parent of two, suggested she use this support – a light metal frame covered in terry cloth. Now Mani reclined in the tub, playing with a rubber duck, while Kalia splashed warm water on him and carefully shampooed his hair.
She dried Mani off with a fluffy towel and dressed him in his pajamas. She cradled him, all snug and warm, and read him a story. He actually followed the pictures. Of course, he was brilliant. He was hers.
Life was good. Mani was healthy. She felt more rested. She loved this little house and was grateful for Teresa and the other moms she’d met at the park. Experience really was the best teacher and every little bit of advice helped.
She thought about Alexandre, and she felt love. She smiled. It was such a relief to feel love, not grief. Not guilt. Not sadness. Well, maybe a bit of sadness, but healthy emotion that told her she was on the right track.
That was probably thanks to Mack, too. The lead guitarist for Shades, and he played to soothe Mani. Her heart stirred.
Dating and relationships were going to be more
complicated now with Mani, she thought as she stroked his hair. As it should be. But maybe a bout of hot, sweaty sex with Mack didn’t have to be complicated. His fast fingers and my silken tongue. She chuckled.
Maybe tomorrow she’d buy condoms.
And spermicide. Just to be safe.
Chapter 16
Today was a big day. It was time for Mani to try solid food.
Kalia had done extensive Internet research, consulted with the pediatrician and three experienced moms in the neighborhood, and called the BabyTalk hotline out of the public health unit.
Rice cereal it was.
She had prepared it carefully as per the directions – just add water. She’d checked the temperature, measured it out meticulously, and stirred it up. So far, so good.
“Okay, little one. Cereal today.” She smiled as she kissed the top of Mani’s head. “Isn’t that exciting?”
She laughed and shook her head. How her life had changed. Now, Mani eating solid food was the highlight of her day.
Mani wasn’t sitting up on his own yet, but he was happy in his bucket seat with a big bib tucked under his chin. He grinned and bounced and looked at the rice cereal on the little plastic spoon Kalia held out to him.
Kalia scooped into Mani’s mouth, opening her own in reflex. “Yum,” she said. “Isn’t that good?”
Mani took the food in his mouth, pursed his lips, smacked them together, and then pushed all the food out with his tongue.
Kalia laughed. “It’ll take a little work, I see.” She smiled and scooped it up off his chin and pushed it back in.
After three scoops, Mani got the idea and leaned in to accept the next spoonful. He puckered his lips, squealed, and finished the whole bowl, although half of it ended up on the bib and smeared all over his cheeks. Kalia snapped a few pictures and wiped off Mani’s face and hands.
“That was a big success. And it looks like a perfect morning to play in the park – warm and sunny. Should we go for a walk?”
Mani babbled and bounced in the infant seat.
Kalia took Mani upstairs and changed his pajamas for overalls and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. She slipped a pair of socks on his feet and the game began. Mani thought it was very funny to wiggle and maneuver until the socks fell off. By the time she was dressed in jeans and a light sweater, the socks were nowhere to be found.
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