A myriad of questions followed the reality of the situation settling in. How old was Eve? Where was the father? Hours ago she’d told him no husband, no fiancé, no boyfriend, right? Did she have support from her semi-famous family, friends, a church group, her ex, or was she raising her daughter all alone? Would she let Beck help her? Okay, he needed to slow down and not scare Eve off but this was just about perfect in his mind.
Eve’s gaze was apprehensive as if she were worried if he’d accept her daughter. She shouldn’t worry about that. His grandpa had been accurate about how much Beck loved children. He cared so much for children he’d most likely end up married in the next two months, simply so he could help millions of hungry and neglected children with all of that money. Children energized him, made him laugh, could make him happy even when he was desperately missing his parents or dwelling on the fact that he was all alone in this world besides his teammates and his grandfather, and that cranky old grandfather wasn’t going to be around for much longer. Beck would rather spend time with children than anybody in the world, well with the exception of Eve.
She walked up to him and Beck grinned at the little girl and extended his hand. “I’m Beck Tanner. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The dark-haired, blue-eyed child grinned impishly, revealing soft dimples. “You have dimples in your cheeks. That’s funny!”
“So do you,” Beck said, gently poking one.
She giggled louder then reached out her hand. “Paisley Jewel. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Beck laughed and shook her soft little hand. “Is she four or fourteen?” he asked Eve.
“I’m almost five, thank you very much.” Paisley pushed out her lower lip.
“Apologies, Princess Paisley. Of course, you’re almost five.”
“Princess Paisley.” Paisley lifted her thin shoulders and grinned. “Yes!”
Eve smiled at him and hefted Paisley higher on her hip. “You’ve started something now.”
“I hope so.” He opened his arms. “Can I carry you, Princess Paisley? You’re almost as big as your mom.”
Paisley wrinkled her nose, looked him over, and flung herself at him. Beck caught her easily, holding her in the crook of one elbow. She was much lighter than he thought she’d be. “Which restaurant are we going to for lunch, your highness?”
Eve let out a soft groan next to him but when he looked at her she was smiling softly at the interaction.
Paisley’s eyes widened and she looked from Beck to her mom. “We get to go to arestaurantfor lunch?”
Eve started walking toward the front door and Beck glanced around, noticing some patrons and employees watching them. Eve must not be wanting everyone to gawk at their interaction, or maybe she didn’t want anyone to know she was dating him. Dating was stretching it but that’s where he hoped this was heading. He’d been nothing but impressed by Eve and now to find out she had an adorable, sassy daughter?
“Yes,” Eve answered her daughter as they reached the front door and Beck hurried to push it open and hold it with his free hand so Eve could walk through first. “We’ll walk to a restaurant close to the gym.”
Walking was good, for some reason he wasn’t ready to reveal his two-million-dollar Bugatti to Eve. He liked how unassuming she was and didn’t want to scare her away by his very attention-grabbing car.
Paisley clapped her hands together happily. “Can I have grilled cheese?”
“Sure, love.”
Paisley grinned up at Beck. “I love me some grilled cheese, all gooey and delectable. Scrummy.”
Beck burst out with laughter. What four-year-old said delectable and scrummy? Wasn’t that British slang?
“Delectable? Scrummy?”
“I told you.” Eve shook her head. “Sassy.”
“That’s me,” Paisley chirped.
“Where did you learn ‘scrummy’?”
“My Uncle Luke and Aunt Mar took me and Mama to Park City to snow ski. We got to meet Heath and Hazel Strong. Do you know them?”
He shook his head, no.
“Well they’re the bestestest and Hazel is an English lady, and she says scrummy so I say it.” She shrugged her thin shoulders.
They walked along the sidewalk as Paisley chattered like she was a teenager. Beck assumed it was hanging out with adults all the time that made her so mature.