Chapter 2
Ezra
Ifeel like such a failure lately. Theo wasn’t planned but when my friend with benefits, Staci, got pregnant, I knew I wanted to be a part of my son’s life.
Hell, his mom and I barely knew each other.
Still, we managed to become close friends over the last couple of years as we shared custody.
I didn’t have all the answers, but with her as my co-parent, I didn’t need to have everything figured out.
Then, seven months ago, a drunk driver mowed her down as she crossed the street.
Everything changed. Suddenly, I was a full-time dad with no one to help me navigate parenthood.
Luckily, Staci’s mom lives an hour away and takes Theo for the weekend once a month. That helps some.
Earlier, my mind was so focused on my to-do list that I didn’t realize Theo had wandered out of the bakery.
Luckily, he only went next door. And thank God, Kiki was there to help him.
She seems sweet, so I’m not surprised Theo took a shine to her.
He’s always been drawn to short women with dark hair.
He takes after his old man in that regard.
To say Kiki is beautiful is an understatement.
The woman is gorgeous. She has a touch of an accent, French, maybe.
It, mixed with her colorful tattoos, makes her exotic.
My cock pulses when I think of her in that tight t-shirt and those ripped jeans.
I shake my head, chastising myself. She’s too young for me to be sexualizing. I’m almost fifty, and she has to be at least fifteen years younger. Maybe twenty, even. Hell, I’m probably the same age as her dad. If not, I’m closer to his age than I am hers.
Get a grip, Ezra.
“Did you find him?” the woman behind the counter asks.
“He was next door. The woman, um, Kiki offered to let him stay while I finish up here.”
She smiles. “Kiki is such a sweet girl. She used to live in Paris for several years. In fact, she just moved back when the shop next door opened five or so years ago.” She pulls out a pastry.
“I always save a pain au chocolat for her because they’re her favorite.
You can take this to her when you go back over to pick up your son. ”
Hmm, maybe she’s older than I thought. I hate how much I like that idea. “Okay, great. I feel like I owe her my life for helping with Theo. I don’t know how he got away from me so fast.” That, and I’d like to do something special for her. I can’t help that I’m drawn to her.
The woman gives me a reassuring smile. “He’ll grow out of it.
I used to have to put a leash on my son out in public because he was always wandering off.
Now I can’t get the boy to stay away. He’s twenty-one and says he wants to hang out with me on the weekends instead of meeting a nice young woman. ”
I chuckle.
She pushes the box of cookies and the bag with Kiki’s pastry across the counter after I tap my credit card on the payment reader. “Come back soon.”
“Thanks.” I gather the treats so I can go see what my son is doing. Hopefully, he’s not giving Kiki any trouble.
When I get back to the tattoo shop, Theo is sitting in a tattoo chair while Kiki draws on one of his arms. A teenage boy draws on the other. Both look up when I clear my throat.
Kiki’s face turns an adorable shade of crimson. “Hi, Ezra. Um, this is Oliver. He’s an apprentice here, and his dad owns the shop.” Her response makes me think she interpreted my RAF or ‘resting asshole face’ as anger.
I smile to show her I’m not upset. “It’s cool. I just hope Theo’s not keeping you from your work.”
Oliver looks up at me with a blank expression. “He wanted an octopus. I like drawing them.” His tone is clipped and abrupt, leaving me unsure of how to respond.
I set the cookie box down and grab the bag with the pastry. “The baker sent this for you,” I tell Kiki, holding it out.
She takes the bag and pulls the pastry out, taking a bite that’s surprisingly big for a woman her size. “Oh,” she moans, causing my pants to tighten in the crotch.
Jesus, fuck. Is she trying to kill me?
“Sorry,” she says when she realizes I’m watching her. Her tongue darts out and licks the chocolate on her lower lip, making me stifle a groan. “Ma’s Bakery is the best. Margo’s pain au chocolat tastes just like what I got when I lived in Paris.”
I clear my throat, forcing my eyes off her kissable lips. “She mentioned you lived there for a few years. What brought you back?”
“Bull opened this shop. He taught me how to tattoo, so when he asked if I wanted to come work for him, I jumped at the chance. He and Jeff are wonderful bosses.”
“Can we, Dad?” Theo asks, reminding me of why we’re here.
“What’s that, bud? I didn’t hear you.”
“Oliver told me about the aquarium since I like fish and sharks and stuff. Can we go?”
“Not today. We’re meeting your grandma in Royse City because you’re spending the weekend with her in Commerce.”
Theo’s eyes light up. “Oh, yeah! I forgot.” He looks at Oliver. “My grandma likes to spoil me.”
Kiki and I chuckle while Oliver nods.
“You almost done?” I ask.
Kiki nods. “I’m done with the koi fish, and Oliver is putting the finishing touches on Theo’s octopus.”
I look at my son’s arm and am blown away. “Wow. You’re both really talented.”
“Thank you,” Kiki says with a blush, while Oliver nods and says, “I know.”
Kiki and I stare at each other for a moment before Theo jumps up and runs to the mirror. “Wow! I look like you, Daddy.”
I smile at my son as he flexes. He’s a miniature version of me, except he’s only made up of the best parts. His personality is a lot like his mom’s. How the hell did I get so damn lucky?
“Um, here,” Kiki says, handing me a business card. “My number is on the bottom if you, um, you know. Uh, if you want ink.”
I take the card, feeling a rush of heat when our fingertips touch. I want something from her, all right, but it’s not ink. “Thanks. Come on, Theo. Let’s go.”
We start to leave, but then I turn to look back over my shoulder at Kiki, whose eyes have fallen to my ass. I grin, knowing she’s as attracted to me as I am to her. Not that I’ll do anything about it. It’s just nice to know I’ve still got it.