Not that I cared what he liked.
I didn’t.
We were acquaintances for his son’s sake. Really, it would be simple. I would show, ignore his charm and looks, and spend my time with Benjie. Easy.
This time I wore jeans and a sweater since the wind had picked up during the day. I knocked on the door and waited. Those damn butterflies were back. I heard a pattering of footsteps, and the door opened to a smiling Benjie.
“Miss Brooke,” he cried before throwing his arms around my legs.
Grinning, I rubbed a hand over his head of blond locks. “Hey, Benjie. It’s good to see you.”
Dustin appeared in the doorway, giving me a smile just like Benjie’s. “He’s been excited for your arrival.”
Laughing, I glanced down at the boy still hugging me. “I can see that.”
“Benjie, how about we let Brooke in?” Dustin shifted back with a hand to the door.
Benjie took my hand and dragged me in. “Come on, come on. I have some Play-Doh we can play with, or there’s always LEGO. But I got a new coloring book with superheroes in it. We can share.”
“Everything sounds great.”
He pulled me into the living room, and I couldn’t help but look around for that woman who had been there the other day, but it seemed no one else was around.
“Look!” Benjie pointed to the coffee table in front of the big television. He had all his things set out.
“I can’t wait,” I told him honestly. Seeing Benjie happy made me happy. He went over to the coffee table and got to his knees. “What do you want to start with?” I sat beside him.
“Hmm.” His eyes danced all over the table. “I don’t know.”
Laughing, I ruffled his hair. “What about the coloring before we get messy with the Play-Doh?”
“Yes!”
“Sorry to interrupt.”
Jolting, I looked over my shoulder. I’d forgotten Dustin was still there, and from the smirk on his lips, he knew it as well. “I have pizza coming soon, but I need to duck out for a moment.”
“Bye, Daddy.” Benjie didn’t even look at his dad. He was too busy pulling his pencils toward him and lining up all the colors between us.
Glancing back to Dustin, I nodded. “Okay, take your time. We’ve got lots of things to do.”
We shared a smile, and my heart tugged. I quickly looked away.
“You can do this page and I’ll do this one,” Benjie instructed.
“Deal.”
“I’m going now.”
“Bye again, Daddy.”
“Later.” I waved over my shoulder before picking up the red pencil for Spider-Man’s costume.
“Will I be missed at all?” Dustin asked.
“Nope,” Benjie and I said together and started chuckling. Benjie got to his little feet and ran around the couch to hug Dustin, who returned it.
It was nice seeing the soft look on Dustin’s face as he stared down at his son. My heart tugged again. Fucking organ. One day I would have my own family, but it wouldn’t be this one.
I drew my attention back to the coloring and heard Dustin leave before Benjie joined me on the floor again. I bumped his shoulder. “How’s school?”
He shrugged. “It’s boring.”
“It’ll get better. Do you have friends?”
He smiled. “Yeah, heaps.”
“That’s good.”
We went on with our own pictures with the television on in the background. It wasn’t until we’d started on the Play-Doh that there was a knock on the front door.
“I’ll get it.” Benjie went to pop up, but I took his arm.
“How about you finish the kitty and I’ll get it?”
“Okay.” He dropped back down quickly. We’d been making farm animals with lots of laughing and talking. I’d questioned having a cat on the farm, but Benjie informed me quickly that there had to be one for it to chase the mice. Still, Benjie’s favorite was the cow. Though honestly, it looked like a penis with legs. Not that I would tell him that.
Expecting it to be the pizza, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door, casting another gaze around the spacious area. Dustin certainly had a nice house. It was just the right size for both of them. Opening the door, I smiled, only it dropped away when I saw a woman on the other side and no pizzas in sight.
“Can I help you?” I gripped the door so she didn’t push her way in. No doubt Dustin being a football player, he’d have some stalkers around.
“Is Dustin home?” A small smile was on her lips. It seemed my glare didn’t affect her.
“No, he’s—”
“Mommy!” Benjie rushed down the hall, skidding to a stop before launching his small body at his… mom.
Shit.
“I’m sorry,” I offered quickly. “I didn’t know who you were. I’m just here watching Benjie while Dustin ducked out for a little while. He should be back soon and then I’ll be going—”
“Miss Brooke, no, you can’t go. We haven’t played LEGO yet.”
Benjie’s mom, Dustin’s ex-wife or girlfriend—I wasn’t sure if they’d married—giggled at her son when he wiggled out of her arms and wrapped his arms around my legs again.
“It’s all right. Stay as long as you want. I’m just here to drop this rabbit off.” She opened her purse and pulled out a stuffed bunny.
“Bugs,” Benjie yelled and gripped the rabbit to his chest.
“Remember when I asked if you had everything before you left for Daddy’s?”
“Yes,” he said sheepishly.
“Next time you double-check everything. I knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep without him.”
Benjie nodded as he averted his eyes away guiltily.
She looked at me, and her hand came out. “I’m Emily. You must be the Miss Brooke I’ve heard so much about.”
Smiling, I took her hand and shook it. “Just Brooke. It’s nice to meet you.” Stepping back, I gestured inside. “Please, come in.”
“Yes, Mommy. Come in so I can show you what Miss Brooke and I have been doing.”
Her eyes lifted to mine. “You don’t mind?”
“Heck no.”
“Okay, but only for a little bit.” She slipped by me, and all I could wonder was why Dustin and she broke up in the first place. She was beautiful with her long black hair and dark green eyes. It was obvious Benjie loved her wholly. Where in the hell did it go wrong? Then again, maybe I didn’t want to know, because I hated to think of my chances for a future if these two couldn’t make it.
Following them down the hall, I found it a little awkward I was in Dustin’s house with his ex and the mother to Benjie. I hoped I didn’t say or do anything stupid for her to think she didn’t want me around her child.
Chapter Four
Dustin
Hey,” I called to the pizza delivery guy. “I’ll grab them.” I took the steps two at a time to the front porch of my house. I handed over the money for the pizzas, and the kid shrugged, gave me the boxes, and took the money—which I’d forgotten to leave in the first place. Luckily, I hadn’t really needed to go anywhere. It’d been a ruse to get Brooke over here so our friendship could start. I planned for Benjie to warm her up before I got back, and she’d stay to have pizza with us while we got to know one another.