“It’s her favorite. It goes back to the library the day after tomorrow.” She sighs. “If we can get out of here.”
Library? I take my phone out, and within seconds, a brand-new book is ordered and on its way to my house in New York. It will be waiting for Sadie.
“So why is this monkey grumpy?” I ask, putting my phone away. After spending nearly a week with this child, I know her answer will be good.
“No one knows why he’s grumpy.” Sadie shrugs adorably, adjusting her glasses.
“That’s the plot.” Darcy takes the book back from me and opens the crinkled pages.
“I keep hoping I’ll find out.” Hence, why Sadie reads it over and over.
I can’t fault her. I keep watching movies likeJawsand hope the shark doesn’t eat Quint. Or those “Jason” movies and hope they kill the dosser.
“Maybe tonight’s the night,” Darcy says, glancing at me, blushing.
Christ, with her looking at me like that, tonight might be the night.
What will fucking her accomplish? Other than satisfying this burning need that I’ve had since I laid eyes on her a week ago. I’m not right for her as a mate. I’m not right for anyone since I’m sterile.
I’d be presenting her to Kieran as not just an experienced woman, but that experience was with me. I just had no idea who she was or who she would eventually be.
Could I look the most dangerous man in Astoria in the eyes and present her as his wife, knowing I’d been inside her? Maybe, ifallI had on my conscience was that one night five years ago. And not what I know I’m giving in to tonight.
I’ll still have her scent in my lungs next week when we get to New York. I’ll still have the taste of her in my mouth as I kiss Kieran’s ring.
Fuck…
We read the story, and Sadie does the interrupting, not me or her mum. I laugh. She just doesn’t want competition. She’s also drawing pictures on a pad with hearts on the cover.
“What are you drawing?” I ask her.
“Ideas to make this story better.” She waves a feather-tipped pen.
I smile and think how amazing this child is. How advanced and smart. But sweet and engaging. Christ, how she loves her mum.
Am I doing the right thing, making Darcy marry Kieran? I hate that I don’t know if my best friend will accept a woman with a child. I trusted him to marry Norah. He loved her.
What if he can’t love anyone else?
Is it fair to put Darcy through that?
“Can I see your sketches?” I reach out to Sadie to get these screaming thoughts out of my head.
“Not yet.” She holds the pad against her wee chest. “I’m not ready to share.”
I laugh again and catch Darcy smiling. “Sadie, that’s rude of you. Show Uncle Ewan.”
Her calling me that gives me mixed emotions. No one’s ever called me Uncle. I like it. I love that Sadie’s the first. No one will ever call me Da. Uncle is all I’ll ever be to a child.
Strictly, though, I’m Sadie’s grand-uncle. I feel anything butgrand,considering how I plan to abuse my uncle status with her mum.
Sadie hands me the notepad, and I’m astonished at the detailed drawings and the notes Sadie made, outlining what would make for a better grumpy monkey story.
I return the notepad. “Well done. Would you write about a monkey, too, or a different animal?”
“A penguin,” she answers right away.
“A grumpy penguin.” I nod, liking that idea. “Have you ever seen a penguin in real life?”