“Have fun,” she answers absently. She’s already scribbling something on a yellow legal pad, her gaze focused on one of her law books.
It takes a bit of strategic maneuvering to push the stroller into the cramped elevator. A few minutes later, Jamie and I stroll along the sidewalk. The sun has decided to duck behind a thick gray cloud, leaving the sky overcast, so I raise Jamie’s shade screen a couple inches so she can enjoy the scenery.
And she’s not the only one enjoying it. Another thing I’ve learned since I had a kid? Women go nuts when they see me with the baby.
Every time I’m pushing the stroller down the street, I find myself with dozens of groupies. Chicks will stop me out of nowhere to gush and coo over Jamie. They almost always scope out my hand to check for a wedding ring and then nod in satisfaction when they don’t see one. The bolder ones have zero problems flat-out asking if the little angel’s mom is still in the picture.
They’re always thoroughly disappointed when I inform them that the mother is very much in the picture. Then I’ll flash a polite smile, bid them good day, and keep on walking. The one time Logan joined me for one of these strolls, he’d shaken his head in amazement, remarking that it was a shame none of us were single, because Jamie’s a chick magnet.
My friends adore her. I know they wish they got to see her more often, but we’ve all got our own busy lives to lead. Since the hockey season started, Garrett’s been practicing hard and is constantly on the road for away games. Logan’s training equally hard with the development team, and he and Grace are still settling in to their new apartment. Despite that, they all drive out to see Jamie any time they have a free moment. Hannah, especially, who’s only working part-time at the moment and writing songs on the side.
“Hey, look at that, little darlin’,” I tell my daughter as we stop at the crosswalk. “It’s a doggie.”
Said doggie tries to sniff the stroller as he and his owner sidle up to us. And damn, I should’ve kept my mouth shut, because now I’ve attracted the owner’s attention.
“Oh my! Look at this precious little angel!”
She crouches down and starts pawing at Jamie, which makes me bristle. Is this normal? Strangers constantly trying to touch your baby? Because it happens way too often for my liking.
The woman presses a kiss to Jamie’s tiny fingers, and I make a mental note to wipe them down the second we’re out of sight. Hell, I’d hose her down if I didn’t think it’d hurt her. I don’t want all these germs all over my kid.
“What’s her name?” the woman asks.
“Jamie.” I stare steadily at the crosswalk signal, willing the little green man to pop up before the chick starts flirting.
“And what’s her daddy’s name?”
Too late. “Tucker, but my wife calls me Tuck.”
That shuts her up fast. Normally I’m not this rude during these random street pick-ups, but I really don’t like the way she touched my child without permission. Fuck that.
Once the light turns green, I swiftly push the stroller forward, murmuring goodbye at the woman and her dog.
“Well, at least the doggie was cute, right, darlin’?”
She doesn’t answer, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve taken to carrying on entire conversations with this kid. I find it kind of soothing.
“See that over there? That’s a swing set,” I inform her as we walk by a small park. “When you’re a bit older, Daddy’s gonna take you there and push you on the swing.”
I walk two more blocks, speeding up when we near an adult toy store. “And that’s a place you’ll never go into,” I say cheerfully. “Because you’re never, ever going to have sex, right, princess?”
There’s a loud snort.
I glance over my shoulder to see an elderly couple walking behind me. They remind me a bit of Hiram and Doris. Man, I wonder what those two are up to. I kind of wish we’d gotten their contact info after that kickass naked painting date.
“Good luck with that,” the man calls to me with a crooked grin.
“Four daughters,” the woman confirms. “Poor Freddie over here couldn’t convince a single one of ’em to stay virgins.”
I grin back. “Obviously he didn’t try hard enough. Did you consider purchasing a shotgun?”
The couple roars with laughter.
Jamie and I keep strolling for a few more minutes, until I suddenly come to a dead stop at a familiar corner. I haven’t been to Paddy’s Dive since the night Sabrina went into labor, but somehow I’ve found my way back to it now.
And there’s a FOR SALE sign in the window.
36
Sabrina
“I’m sorry I’m late,” I apologize as I slide into a chair at Della’s.
Carin and Hope already have their drinks, and by the pool of condensation on the table, I’m later than I realized. Or they were early. Ever since Jamie was born, I have a hard time getting anywhere on time.
“Where’s the baby?” Carin asks, dismissing my tardiness with an airy wave of her hand.