Page 32 of Singled Out

The little boy stared at me with his intense blue eyes but didn’t answer.

Max stepped closer, his eyes on Danny. “See if he’ll go to you.” He handed his son over to me.

I supported the boy with my palm on his pajamaed little bottom, puffy from the diaper, expecting him to protest. His gaze settled on one of my earrings—a small round amethyst from Naomi’s collection. It was pretty and purple and apparently pleasing to this little guy because he didn’t fuss or complain when I put my other hand on his back to support him.

“I’ll be back in two minutes, Danny,” Max said, and he left me with his son.

The little guy and I stood there and checked each other out. “Hi, Danny. I’m Harper,” I said in what I hoped was a quiet, soothing tone.

He studied me for about five seconds, with me smiling like a dork because I didn’t know what else to do or say. Then Danny let out a sigh and rested his head on my shoulder, grasping my T-shirt in his fist.

I melted a little bit.

Maybe more than a little bit.

I didn’t have much experience with kids, had never babysat growing up, kept my distance from ankle biters in general because, I’ll be honest, they made me uncomfortable. You never knew what they would need from you or what they might say.

That this little guy trusted me, felt comfortable enough to rest his head on me?

“You’re trying to steal my heart, aren’t you?”

He didn’t say a word, just let out another sigh.

I stood there without moving, not wanting to disturb him or do anything that would disrupt this peaceful moment. He smelled like baby shampoo and innocence.

I craned my chin down to see if he was asleep, but his eyes were open, staring back up at me. So he was relaxed but not enough to sleep. That was fair. He’d just met me.

“I’m sure your daddy will be back any second now,” I told him, hoping Max would return before I did something to upset his son.

Max

Once I was out of Danny’s room, I swore under my breath at myself and strode across the family room toward the master.

What the fuck had gotten into me?

How had I let myself lose my damn mind enough to kiss Harper? Because I had kissed her, willingly and aggressively. She might’ve started it, but I’d done the opposite of ending it.

All while my son was inside alone.

I didn’t think he’d been crying long, judging by how quickly he’d calmed down, but that wasn’t the point.

Who knew when the battery on the monitor had given out? Was it even working when I’d set it down outside? Had I checked, or had I been so distracted by a pretty girl that I just rushed off without a thought to my responsibilities?

I stormed into my bathroom, shedding my soaked sweats and winging them to the tub. Not wanting to leave Danny longer than necessary, I dragged a towel over my damp skin and tossed it to the tub next to the sweats.

In the connected walk-in, I grabbed the first dry sweats I found, plus a T-shirt, and pulled them on, then headed back toward Danny’s room.

None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t agreed to the damn auction. None of this would’ve happened if Harper hadn’t taken my sister’s lame-brained dare to bid on me.

Danny was fine this time, but I couldn’t help but think about the many discussions my cousin Jamie and I had over the years about our asshole fathers who never made their kids a priority.

Since Jamie’s death, since the day Danny had been entrusted to my care, I’d felt twice the pressure to be and provide everything that sweet boy deserved. For Danny, but also for Jamie.

I had no room in my life for casual dating or women. Not a year ago and not now. Danny deserved as much of my efforts and attention as I could give him around the demands of my career.

When Talia Latimer had asked me to participate in the auction, she’d wisely focused on the fundraising aspect, how the money raised would make a difference in kids’ lives. I’d been all in for that. I’d figured I could spare a couple hours on a date for a good cause, then go straight home to my boy and get back to life as usual.

The element I hadn’t counted on was Harper Ellison. She’d managed to distract me without even trying.