Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(73)

"The advertising firm?" Boston guessed.

Ted grinned. "That's the one. I go to Winston Young, Ellie's boss, for legal advice and I was in the office just the other day. I swear, I've been trying to get this little lady here to go on a date with me for well over three years now. I guess this was just my lucky week, huh?"

270

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

From the corner of her eye, Ellie saw Boston glance her way. "Hmm," he answered Ted in a sickeningly knowing voice. "Yes, it must've been."

She wanted to roll her eyes and tell him that whatever he was thinking was completely wrong, because if he thought her going out tonight with Ted was all because of him... Well, nothing could be further from the truth.

"She does seem to be a tough catch, doesn't she?" Boston murmured. She didn't mean to look his way, but she did, and their eyes caught. I love you, damn it, echoed through her brain as they stared at each other. And I'll wait as long as I have to until you're ready to come around.

He didn't mean it. He couldn't. Ellie wasn't sure what she'd do if he really did mean it, but that didn't matter because it had only been a bunch of B.S.

Boston was a silver-tongued lawyer. He knew his way around words. And yet, he'd never spoken that phrase to her before.

"But she's well worth the wait," he added softly, smiling at her as he spoke to Ted.

"Boy, do I hear that," Ted answered, laughing heartily.

The two men shared a companionable look, like two dogs that had chewed on the same bone. Ellie nearly hurled.

With the need to escape itching through her bloodstream, she said, "Let me just get these in some water."

But when she turned around, she almost ran flat into Boston's chest. "Excuse me," she murmured, but still had to move around him because the aggravating man refused to budge.

271

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Cassie!" she called loudly. "Time to go! Your dad's waiting."

Hurry up, kid! she wanted to shout. I can't take too much more of this.

Just as she was exiting the room, she heard Ted ask, "So, how long have you and Ellie been divorced?"

"We're not," Boston's answer echoed back to her.

She cringed, hoping he'd explain they'd never been married in the first place, but when she returned to the living room, both men were standing stiffly with their hands in their pockets, keeping their distance from each other. Ellie wondered what all Boston had actually said, because suddenly Ted seemed on edge and ready to scram.

Boston just stared at him.

Thank God, Cassie finally came into the room with Keller at her heels and happily cried, "Dad!"

As she threw herself at him, Boston swept her up in a big hug. Keller paused by Ellie's elbow to watch. He looked so heartsick and jealous of all the attention Cassie's father was giving her, she set a sympathetic hand on his pale blond hair.

"Keller," Boston greeted, keeping Cassie in his arms as he nodded to the boy.

"Hi," he mumbled, clearly disheartened.

"I'll see you Sunday night," Cassie said, waving at her friend, yet she couldn't feel the same depression Keller obviously felt at their parting.

"Uh huh," the boy answered and turned away to leave through the back exit.

Ellie watched him go, her heart breaking for the child.

272

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Hey, Cassidy," Ted said, cutting into Ellie's thoughts. "Do you remember me?"

Ellie came back around just in time to see Cassie huddle closer to Boston's chest as she glanced at Ted with no enthusiasm whatsoever.

"You work with my mom," she answered.

Cassie and Ted had met maybe twice when Ellie's law firm had gatherings like ice cream socials with their clients.

Everyone brought their families and mingled.

Ted gave the girl an overeager smile. "That's right. You do remember."

But Cassie didn't seem all that impressed, and judging by the way Boston frowned and tightened his grip, he didn't like Ted talking to his daughter.

So, Ellie stepped in. "Do you have everything you need?"

she asked, lifting the overnight bag she'd already packed for Cassie.

"Check," her daughter answered with a cheeky smile as Boston reached out and took the bag from Ellie's hand. Their fingers brushed, and she immediately pulled away.

Ted frowned in consternation.

Ellie flushed. "All right then," she said to Cassie. "I'll see you on Sunday."

She went to hug her baby, but Boston only held his daughter out enough for Ellie to hug her. She wondered if he did that on purpose so she'd have to brush against him as she pulled Cassie close.

She looked at him and said, "Goodbye."

"'Bye," he said briefly.

273

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Ellie couldn't read one expression on his face. He just stared at her a second longer and then turned away.

God, why did this have to happen?

She'd timed it so there should've been at least an hour between his departure and Ted's arrival. If Boston hadn't been so blasted late and Ted too freaking early, the two never would've been the wiser.