As they stood in the parking lot, each let out a sigh of relief.
Ethan said, “I thought for sure she was going to ask me to hold her. There’s no way I’m touching anything that tiny.”
Seth nodded. “I’ve seen you fumble too many times when playing football, so that was a wise choice.”
Jordan laughed. “I’m not worried about dropping her. It’s the diapers. I’m in no rush to follow in their footsteps.”
“I don’t think any of you need to worry about it. Dylan is the next to fall,” Gareth said.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Dylan snapped.
Gareth said calmly, “We all saw it.”
“Saw what?”
“The way you looked at her last night,” Gareth continued.
“Who?”
They all said her name in unison. “Sofia.”
Fuck.He didn’t want anyone thinking there was something going on. Not that he was really worried about what Sal or Charles would say or think, but if Sofia thought he liked her, that might get her hurt in the long run.
“I was staying out of the way. Nothing more,” Dylan clarified.
Ethan added, “I have to admit, you weren’t paying attention to anything that was happening over at our end of the room. Maybe Gareth was right and you are interested in her.”
He grumbled. “I definitely find her easier on the eyes than any of you guys. But that’s it.”
Gareth laughed and turned to the others. “Is it me or does our baby brother protest too much?”
Dylan clenched his fist. Gareth, like Charles, knew how to push his buttons. Then again, they had all been at the hospital most of the day waiting to see their new niece. Giving each other shit was something they had done since kids. Being the youngest, they usually avoided giving it to him. Things changed as they grew older.
“I’m glad you guys have nothing better to do than stand around thinking about women, but I have a job to do. Actually, two now. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go back to work.”
“You don’t want to join us for dinner? We’re going to The Choice to celebrate,” Seth said.
“Thanks, but this baby brother has too much to do. I’ll see you in the office in the morning.”
“I thought you were going to Grayson Corp,” Jordan said.
“I will. But Lawson Steel comes first.” Always will.
He left them standing there as he got into his 1966 Austin Healy 3000. He had no idea how he was going to pull this off. Dylan had no issue with working hard, he’d done it for all his adult life. He might have been born privileged, but they weren’t given anything without it being earned. They were all grateful for that lesson in life. It made them strong competitors now. One thing he wasn’t in the race for was getting tied down having a family. He had no problem coming in last on that list.
He just pulled out onto the main road when his phone rang. Since it was an unknown number, the Bluetooth connection didn’t state the callers ID. He was tempted to ignore it, but since he’d just left the hospital, he answered anyway. Things had looked okay when he left, but life was fragile and things could change quickly.
“Lawson here.”
“Hello Mr. Lawson. My name is Patty. I’m calling from ‘A Fresh Day’. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with us.
He wasn’t in the mood for a sales call. Actually he never took them. That’s what he had office staff for. They weeded through the bullshit and if there was something of importance, they gave him the details. “If you have any inquiries, you should call my office, not my personal line.” Dylan said firmly. He wasn’t even sure how the hell she got it.
“I’m so sorry. It was the number circled on the card.”
That changed things. He only gave out that card when he wanted someone to have it. Even though he didn’t recall giving it to that agency, he needed more information from her. “You said your name was Patty?”
“Yes sir. I was only calling to thank you for your donation. It was kind and very…unexpected. Since this is your personal line, I assume it was not through Lawson Steel.”