Chapter 16
NATE
Leaking all over the bed woke me up when I rolled over onto a huge wet spot, having forgotten to wrap back up. I grumbled and scootched Gilly over so we laid in a dry area.
“Daddy?” Gilly’s sleepy head popped up from under the covers.
“Come here and help Daddy out, please.” I maneuvered him into place, and he got the hint, latching on quickly.
Those sated noises he made got me in the heart every time.
This adorable boy was amazing and made my life better.
Soon, I was going to ask him to move in with me.
Now that he had a playroom, there was no reason for him not to be here.
Meeting him home after work every day felt like an amazing next step.
But I didn’t want to move the relationship too fast, especially when he was still stressing over his uncle’s business.
I cuddled him closer and dug my fingers into his thick curls. “Thank you,” I whispered, but I meant a whole lot more than simply having him nursing.
Soon we both fell asleep from the soothing experience.
I’d stocked up on some fun foods for Gilly, including cereal and Pop-Tarts, not that we would be eating that much sugar all the time, but it was fun to change it up occasionally.
I popped a cinnamon-sugar one in the toaster and got to work making our coffee.
“Do you want butter on it?” I asked as I pulled the tub out of the fridge.
“Butter? On a Pop-Tart?” He stuck his tongue out, making a face.
“Hey, you don’t know if you like it until you try it. I’ll put some on mine and you can have a taste before you decide.”
He eyed me suspiciously. “If you say so.”
Once it was out and buttered, all hot and gooey in the center, he took a big bite and surprise! He loved it. “Want one with butter now?”
“Yes, please, Daddy.” He shot me a cheesy grin, and I couldn’t help but laugh at his antics. “It’s yummy hot ciminimy.”
When we were sitting at the table with buttery treats and coffee, Gilly tapped his fingers on the table. “I have something I need to talk to you about.” He sighed. “My uncle’s company.”
“Oh?”
Gilly scrunched up his nose. “Yeah. But I think it’s going to be more than a two-minute conversation.” His Little was nowhere to be found. It was time for Gilly to make some grown-up decisions.
“Let’s find a time that works for both of us where we can talk, uninterrupted.” I pulled my calendar up on my phone. “What days are open for you?” I’d take a day off, if necessary. I knew how important this was to Gilly, and in essence, for us as a couple.
“Actually, early this afternoon would work for me. My last job should wrap up by one.”
“Hmm…” I had something at three, but nothing earlier. “I can reschedule my afternoon appointment. It’s with a vendor, so not a big deal.”
“You sure? I don’t want you messing up your business for me.”
“I’m not messing up anything, and I’m sure. Let’s meet at the park and spend the afternoon together.”
“The same one we went to last time?”
“Yes. Do you think you could get there by two?”
“Yes, I can.”
“Good. We can eat a late lunch while we talk. Daddy will bring it with him.”
After we finished breakfast and got ready for work, I kissed him goodbye.
His first appointment was early, and he didn’t want to be late.
I sent a text off to my assistant to reschedule my vendor meeting.
This was going to be a heavy conversation, and giving Gilly my undivided attention was key.
After that, Gilly could play or even just run around the park and forget about his troubles for a while.
That would help ease whatever stress came out of our discussion.
I packed the bubbles and frisbees as well as lunch in my truck before heading to the office.
It was going to be a long day, even with the afternoon off.