A Daddy for Jacoby(16)

She whirled around. Justin stood behind her, his T-shirt, jeans and hair all varying levels of wet. “What happened to you?”

“Jacoby kept opening the shower curtain. I think he was afraid I was going to go through his pillowcase.” He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it off his face, except for one piece that fell back onto his forehead. “You haven’t answered my question. What happened out here?”

She clenched her hands together, determined not to fix that wayward lock. “I just— He’s exhausted. You must be, as well. I figured if things were ready when you two got back out here it would be easier for him to fall asleep.”

“I can handle laying out a few blankets.”

“I’m not saying you can’t. I was only trying— Hey, Jacoby.”

Face pink and shiny clean from the hot shower, the little boy’s features clearly showed his exhaustion as he walked into the room, dragging his pillowcase behind him.

“Why don’t you crawl between the blankets over here with Jack?” she said, ignoring Justin’s pointed look. “Would you like to read a book before you go to sleep?”

The boy stilled for a moment, before he shook his head. He stumbled past Justin, tucked the pillowcase under the top corner of the sleeping bag and crawled inside, hugging his stuffed bear. Jack scooted up to stretch out next to him and Jacoby wrapped one arm across the dog’s shaggy belly.

“I think Jack wants to spend the night.” Bending over, Gina gave the dog a quick pat. “Is that okay with you, Jacoby?”

Jacoby nodded, but Gina noticed his half-closed eyes were trained on her hair. He reached out and traced a tiny finger along a strand of curls. “Pink. I like it.”

Her heart squeezed in her chest. She opened her mouth to reply, but the sound of a throat clearing stopped her.

Jacoby’s eyes widened and he looked past Gina’s shoulder. “Can he…can Jack…stay?”

Gina straightened and turned in time to see Justin’s quick nod. He then centered his gaze on her, his eyes hooded, as well, but not from fatigue. No, she guessed he wanted her out of here and the quicker the better. “I guess it’s settled, then. I’ll call Racy to tell her about Jack.”

“I’ll do that. He comes over all the time from their place.”

“Well, I’ll see myself out. Bye, Jacoby.”

The boy was already fast asleep. She headed for the front door, grabbed her jacket and wrenched open the handle, stepping outside.

“Gina, wait, you dropped…”

She paused and turned around. Justin stood in the open doorway, a scrap of paper in his hand. She cringed as his eyes scanned the writing.

“What’s this? ‘Doctor’s appointment, new clothes, register at school.’” He glared at her, his eyes sharp and piercing, his voice a low rumble. “You wrote this?”

She lifted her chin. “I’m just trying to—”

“Help. Yeah, I know. I think I’ve made it clear that I don’t need your help.”

“So I brought over a few groceries and swept your floors. It’s not a big deal. Jacoby seems to be sleeping fine, so I guess I didn’t upset him too much by stopping by. You, on the other hand, can’t seem to wait to get rid of me. Why is that?”

His eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you late for something?”

“Yes, I am. You know, you might want to try the words thank you on for size. If you think you can pull them on over that massive chip on your shoulder.”

Gina spun away as he crumpled the paper in his fist. She stomped to the car and had the driver’s side door open when she heard his front door close with a loud thud. Seconds later, she was behind the wheel and gunned the engine.

So much for good ideas.





Chapter Four





He was an idiot.

After spending last night thinking about the asinine way he’d reacted to Gina’s list, Justin had come to that simple but honest conclusion beneath the hot spray of his morning shower.

One hundred percent, bona fide numbskull.

He stalked around the kitchen, grabbing the makings for pancakes and piling them on the center island. He wasn’t mad about her list. Heck, not long after he’d stretched out next to the kid he had his own mental tally going. It’d stung that she thought he wouldn’t be able to figure out the basic necessities for the boy, but that’s not what caused his side trip into Boneheadland.