Chapter 11 #2
Ani’s mom sighed. “Dr. Lowenstein—Adam—I can see that your head is in the clouds too. Neither of you has any idea what she’s getting into.
She’s going to need a lot of help.” I felt Ani prickle as her mother was now exclusively talking to me.
“Hopefully, she’ll find caring for a newborn for a few days will flush all this wild adoption thinking right out of her system. ”
“Mom,” Ani said, waving her hands in front of her mom. “I’m right here.”
Then a weird thing happened. Arnie walked straight over to Ani and sat down—right at her feet. A show of solidarity.
The dog was in love with her too.
Did I say too?
I respected and admired her. But not love. I didn’t do love anymore. I rubbed my chest over my sternum. Because it felt a little strange.
Ani reached down and patted good old Arnold on the head, who had suddenly proven that he was a very useful dog, after all. “Mom, I have to pass a bunch of tests to get the baby. And one of them is tomorrow.”
I did what I am known to do best—act. And turn on the charm, which I have to admit, I was pretty rusty at.
I steered her mom away from the table and towards the little living room.
“If anyone can make this work, Ani can. Because she’s amazing.
But you’re absolutely right. She’s going to need help. Lots of help.”
I didn’t have to look at Ani to feel the invisible daggers hitting my back.
“I know that my daughter is amazing,” her mom said. “But she’s also impervious to the amount of work some of her decisions entail.”
“I understand how hard caring for a newborn is, Mom,” Ani said. “I deal with new moms and babies every day. I feel really good about this.”
Ani’s mom cast a worried glance in my direction. Which I deflected because I wanted to make it clear that I was Ani’s ally, not hers. “Maybe you can talk some sense into her,” she said to me.
Ani, with her hands balled into fists, looked like she was about to murder someone, and I wasn’t sure if it was going to be her mom or me. “Great idea,” I said, “but we’re going to need your help. Are you free right now?”
“Of course I’m free.” She tossed up her hands. “That’s why I came over here.”
“Great.” I punched some numbers into my phone.
“Julia, would you mind ordering some dinner for us on my Italian Stallion app?” That was the best Italian in town, and they did carryout.
“Ani, you can sit down and make a list of all the items you need for the baby. And I—I will take care of the furniture problem. And pick up our food.”
Another incredulous look from Ani.
I shot her a frown. “Oh ye of little faith.” I was great—make that terrific—at rolling in and taking care of things. Why would she not let me unleash my secret talent?
“Can we talk for a minute?” Ani got up and literally dragged me outside by my shirt.
So predictable. Also, Arnie scrambled right after us.
Apparently, he didn’t want to be inside with Julia either.
I managed to grab the end of his leash because all we needed right now was a lost dog to chase after again.
On second thought, he was getting awfully proprietary. Like he belonged to us or something. What would the McClellans say when they got home in a few days?
Ani reached down and pulled the granola bar wrapper out of his mouth, which he must have skimmed from the counter, and shoved it in her pocket.
“You—are mansplaining again,” Ani said, out in the wild, unkempt yard. She was feisty, angry, waving her hands in gestures not unlike her mother’s. “Jumping into action. Taking over.” She poked my chest. “And siding with my mother.”
I couldn’t help grinning. Because she was no longer on the verge of tears, a huge improvement. “I’m sorry, but that situation was getting a little toxic. Your mother wants to understand you. She wants to help.”
“How, Dr. Psychologist, how do you translate Oh, Ani, this is sooo much into I love you and I want to help you?”
“A cry for help?” I got a glare for that. “Look, do you trust me?”
She folded her arms. “No.” She paused. “Absolutely not.”
“Oh, come on.” I gave her my most charming look. “Let me take care of the furniture problem.”
“No! First of all, it’s my furniture problem. You can’t just saunter in here with your big muscles and take over.”
I crossed my arms. And flexed my big muscles. She definitely was noticing. “I’m a man of action. And I have a great idea. Just say yes.”
“Tell me what it is.”
“I can’t. Because…it’s a little nuclear.”
She blinked. I held her by the shoulders. It was all I could do not to pull her into me and just hold her for a minute until she calmed down. Except that would have the opposite effect on me. I stepped back and said, “Give me an hour. I’ll get back with you. Please.”
“Why are you doing this?”
Yes, great question. Why was I here, involved, helping, when I knew that once that little baby came, I would not be able to stay?
But I had a secret weapon in my pocket, and I couldn’t not use it. “Because you complimented my muscles,” I said. “Now go…make some lists.” I waved her off. “And send your mom on an errand. She wants to be useful. I can tell.”
She opened her mouth to protest (also predictable), but I lightly held my finger over her lips. Which was a little forward and veered a little from the friend vibe. But I was on a fiery roll, I guess.
She blinked. And I…well, I froze, tangled up in her gaze, and realized that I was touching her lips. Her beautiful, soft, full lips. Heat rushed through me. I leaned forward without even thinking about it, needing to place my lips on hers.
The dog barked. I caught my breath. Tore my gaze away. Quickly dropped my hand.
I looked down to see him next to Ani, barking at me as if to say, She’s mine. I know when someone’s in competition for a woman. But in this case, maybe Arnie saved me from a big mistake.
Before Ani could utter a protest, I walked away, Arnie in tow.
We’d missed our jog, but I felt certain that a ride in the car would pump him right up.
Somewhat recovered, I called over my shoulder, “Be back soon.” I winked at her as I pulled my pickup out of her drive. “Oh, and have fun with your mom.”