“How about if we go get something to eat, baby?”
She nodded. She was hungry, but she would try to eat less and maybe lose a few pounds. The thinner she got, the prettier she’d be, and she wanted him to think that she was beautiful. The girls she’d met were thinner and beautiful.
He took her hand and led her out of the office.
“Where are we going,” she asked.
“There’s a deli down the street that I think you might like. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
Because it was the lunch hour, the sidewalks were crowded with people, so she kept a tight grip on Gavin. When they got to the little restaurant and went up to the counter, they both ordered a sandwich, grabbed one of the tables, and waited for their number to be called.
“I like this place.” She looked around.
Gavin smiled. “I like it, too, and the food is wonderful.”
Darn, that would make eating less even harder.
They talked before their number was called, and then they relaxed and ate. She watched all the people come and go in the deli and wondered what their lives were like. She only finished half of her sandwich, which was hard because it was so delicious, and she wrapped the remaining.
“Are you finished?” Gavin asked.
She ignored his scowl, looked down, and nodded. “I’m going to save the other half up for later.”
“We will have to go to the grocery store sometime because I don’t have a lot of groceries in my cabinets. Maybe we should just order in tonight and worry about the store tomorrow.”
“That’s fine,” she said. “Whatever you decide.” She didn’t care what they did or ate. She just wanted to be with him.
Chapter Nine
Gavin took her hand and led her back to the building. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She was the sweetest thing he’d ever seen, and he just hoped that she would enjoy the type of relationship he wanted. If not, they’d make do because he didn’t want to give her up. It didn’t matter too much what she called him as long as he had her in his life.
They went up the elevator and down another hallway. Gavin knocked on the open door. “Hey, man, I want you to meet somebody,” he said.
He looked down at Alexa. “Honey, this is Caleb. We worked together when we were cops. His girl is named Bella, and she’s as sweet as can be.”
Caleb nodded. “She is that,” he said. He turned and bellowed her name. Bella raced out and stood beside him. Gavin smiled at the way they looked together. You wouldn’t think they would fit, but something about them worked.
“Honey, this is Bella. Bella, I’d like you to meet my girl Alexa,” Gavin said.
The girls stared at each other, just like the other times, making Gavin smile. They were all so much alike, he couldn’t get out over how lucky he’d been to find her.
“I stopped by for you to meet Alexa and ask you if you have some colored pencils or crayons that she can use until I get her some.”
Bella clapped. “I have a lot I can give her. Hold on.” She turned and raced back into another room and came back with an armload full of things, making Gavin chuckle.
“That’s quite the load you have there, honey. You don’t need to give her that much. I’m planning on getting her own stuff soon.”
“Oh, I don’t mind at all. Sienna said that my daddy gets me way too much stuff, and I like to share.”
Caleb wrapped his arm around his little and kissed the top of her head. “Baby, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do or buy for you, and you know that.”
Bella looked up and smiled sweetly at Caleb. “I know that, Daddy.”
“Well, we’ll let you get back to work. I hope we can make it a playdate later. I know that my Alexa needs friends, and I think you’d be wonderful for her.”
“I would like that very much,” Bella said. She turned to Alexa. “It was very nice to meet you. I will see you soon, I hope.”