Chapter Sixteen
Later that day, Eli walked toward Caleb’s office, where Kinley was having a picnic with Bella. The door was open, and his first sight of Kinley was her sitting on a blanket on the opposite side of Caleb’s desk, closer to the window.
He could just see her back and the top of her head.
Caleb was working as the two women ate sandwiches.
He walked quietly toward Caleb. He wanted to watch the girls a little longer.
Caleb sat back in his chair and narrowed his eyes on him. “So, I hear you’re the one I owe for getting that fucking perv out of our building?”
“Yes. I wish they would have let me have another minute with him.”
Caleb snorted. “From what I heard, he was already half dead.”
Eli rolled his eyes. “No, he was standing.”
“I’ve wanted him out for a long time and couldn’t figure out a way to do it. So, what do I owe you?”
Eli grinned. “I’ll tell you when I think of something.”
Caleb growled. “You’re going to be a prick about it, aren’t you?”
Eli laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “Probably.”
“Fuck.” Caleb scowled, but it instantly turned to a smile when he glanced at Bella.
Eli’s face softened as he watched the two reading over a girly magazine.
“Kinley, your daddy’s here,” Bella said when she caught sight of him.
Kinley smiled at him over her shoulder and jumped to her feet. “Let me help clean up.”
Bella shook her head. “No, it won’t take a minute. Call if you want help tonight moving in.”
Kinley hugged Bella and then walked to him and took his hand.
“Did you have fun with Bella?” Eli asked when they got to their office.
“Yes. She’s so sweet. Did you know she used to be an actress?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yeah, her mom made her do it, but she hated it.”
“That’s too bad.”
“She was telling me about all the girls she knows who have daddies. I want to meet them all.”
“I have a feeling you will.”
“Did you eat?”
Eli chuckled. “Yes.”
“Okay.” She sat at her desk and worked on the computer he’d had for her that morning while working on his work.
Before he knew it, Vic was knocking on his door, ready to go home.
“You ready, cuz?”
“Vic, she’s staying with me. We’re going to start moving into the condo tonight.”
“So soon?” Vic asked and then grinned.
“Yes. So, you won’t have to worry about her anymore.”
“Oh, I’m always going to worry about her, but I feel so much better knowing she has you.”
“You know I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Vic chuckled and tipped his head to her desk. “Yeah, I gathered that.”
“We’ll be by tomorrow for her stuff, if that’s okay.”
“That’s fine. I’ll be there to help.”
“That would be great.”
Vic walked over to Kinley and hugged her. “Who will make me noodles?”
Kinley laughed. “I’m guessing Danny will.”
“Yeah, maybe. She says she can cook, but I haven’t tasted it yet.” He grinned. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Vic, for taking care of me.”
“What have I said? We’re family. That’s what we do.”
A few minutes after Vic left, Eli shut down his computer. “Are you ready, honey?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He grabbed their bags and then reached for her hand. “I thought we could go shopping this weekend for groceries for our place.”
She smiled up at him. “I never liked shopping before you.”
“Good.”