Spin My Love (My Love #1)(30)

He grins. “Not yet, but Parker will love it.”

Levi walks out holding Parker, and the smile drops from Tane’s face. He opens the door to get out.

“I’ll get Parker,” I tell him quickly.

I get out of the car and open the back door to put Parker in his car seat. “Hey, Levi.”

“Hey Giselle, you look beautiful, as always,” he says, leaning into the car and buckling a sleeping Parker in his car seat. “Hey Tane.”

“Levi,” Tane replies shortly.

Oh, boy.

Levi flashes me a knowing grin. “How was date night?”

“Good, how was Parker?”

“A delight,” Levi replies, shutting the door closed gently.

“Where’s Gage?” I ask, looking behind him.

Levi coughs. “He had a date.”

I gape. “No way. Like, an actual date?”

He laughs. “Yeah, flowers and all.”

“Holy shit. I’m sorry; if I had known Gage had plans tonight I wouldn’t have just left you to watch Parker.”

“You know I don’t mind,” he says with a shrug. “I had no plans.”

I offer him a small smile. “I better get going. I’ll see you next weekend.”

We say bye, and I get back into the car.

“He still wants you,” Tane says when we’re almost at his house.

“We’re just friends,” I reply. He’s my family. How do I explain that? I won’t ever turn my back on Levi. He and Gage were there for me when no one else was. Such loyalty and friendship should never be taken for granted.

“Will you stay the night?” he asks as we pull into his driveway.

When I hesitate, he adds, “Just to sleep.”

“Okay,” I reply. We’re already at his house. It makes sense, right?

Tane carries Parker as I take his keys and unlock the front door, then tuck him in bed.

“Do you have a t-shirt I can sleep in?” I ask him a little shyly. He smiles and pulls me by my hand into his bedroom. I look around as he digs into his drawer, finally pulling out a worn blue t-shirt that I recognise instantly.

“I can’t believe you still have that,” I say, pulling it from his hands. It used to be my favourite t-shirt of his, back when he was seventeen. I lift it to my nose and smell it. “I love this shirt.”

“I remember,” he says, chuckling.

I’m caught off-guard when he leans down and kisses my lips.

Wow.

My eyes flutter closed, but the kiss is finished before it began. The touch was brief, chaste, and sweet.

Tender.

It leaves me wanting more, but also feeling slightly dazed.

“You k … kissed me.”

“I did, and I hope I can do it again soon,” he says, eyes dancing with amusement. At my reaction, maybe?

I could get used to kissing Tane every day.

“Get changed. I’ll make us some hot chocolate,” he says, smiling at me before walking away.

I bring my fingers to my lips.

Then I smile.

*****

I lay in bed next to him, his arms wrapped around me and smile.

It’s the best sleep I think I’ve ever had.

*****

I’m happy I don’t have to wait until next week for the next date. Two dates in two days is breaking the agreement, but I don’t even care. I can’t hide the fact that I want to spend more time with Tane. Things are moving slowly, which is what I need, and I find myself thinking about him more and more.

Today he takes Parker and me to the water theme-park. It’s hectic, people are everywhere, but I’ve never seen Parker have so much fun. He insists that Tane and I each hold one of his hands because that’s what families do. It makes me so happy to see him so excited about having Tane in his life.

We take Parker on every ride. He even goes down the steepest water slides, though he refuses to go without Tane. Seeing Tane climb awkwardly onto the slides is hilarious; they definitely aren’t designed for such a big body. After having lunch on the grass area, we go for a swim. Now we’re chilling out eating ice creams.

“This was the funnest day ever,” Parker calls out, face bright and excited.

“Funnest isn’t a word,” I try to explain, as he jumps up and down.

Tane laughs. “Told you he would love it. But I don’t think this counts as a date.”

“Why? Are you trying to get out of your question?” I ask, grinning at him. He’s standing in front of me wearing nothing but a pair of black board-shorts, sitting low on his narrow hips. His body is lean and toned, like an athlete. He’s caught me staring at him a few times but hasn’t called me out on it … yet. My eyes once again roam over his smooth, tanned chest and his broad shoulders.

Fuck.

I clear my throat and look away and down at my ice cream. Much safer option.

“Are you ready to go home, buddy?” Tane asks his son.

“Dad! One more ride? Please?” Parker begs, using his puppy-dog eyes to his best ability.

“Okay,” Tane says, smiling, before he looks to me. “Do you want to come or shall I quickly take him?”

“You can take him,” I tell him, pointing at my melting ice cream.

His smile is warm. “We’ll be right back.”