Page 69 of A Return For Ren
“Zane didn’t give you a hard time?”
“I told you already he didn’t,” he said. “Guys aren’t really like that.”
She wasn’t so sure of that. She knew damn well her father wasn’t going to be so nice when they arrived in a few days next week.
Her parents had already told her they wanted to see her and Ren before the actual holiday. She figured as much.
It would be better anyway. Best to get it out of the way so, as Zane had said...the awkwardness could be gone.
The rest of the drive to Colin’s they chatted on and about life in general. Max had fallen asleep since they’d left after breakfast hoping that Ren could have timed it right with naptime.
He might not have been a father long, but he got it down pretty well.
When they pulled into Ren’s garage, she got Max out of the car while Ren took care of their bags. They’d only packed enough for the day and night and would go back to Mystic tomorrow morning.
Max started to wake up so she took his jacket off and got him out of his seat, and set him on the floor. It was almost as if he recognized where he was. Or maybe it was the toy box in the corner that his eyes landed on.
The playpen and bouncy chair were in Mystic, so keeping him on the floor and watching his movements would have to do while they were here.
“I’ll watch him if you want to unpack everything,” she said.
“Thanks,” he said. “It won’t take long. I’m just going to take care of Max’s food and bottles. I told Dee we’d be there by lunch.”
“It’s nice of her to feed us twice,” she said.
“She suggested it knowing I wouldn’t be here long. No reason to go buy food to have in the house. We can grab some breakfast out tomorrow. Or I’ll run out and get something. There is coffee here but not much else.”
“We’ve got time before we have to leave,” she said. “We can run to the store or can do it on the way home. Maybe pick up some muffins or something at a bakery. No reason to go out of our way when we hit the road tomorrow.”
“Good idea,” he said.
“I feel bad not bringing anything today other than the cookies I made and the wine you got.”
He laughed. “I never bring anything more than beer or wine. I’m bringing more than I ever do.”
“I suppose,” she said.
She kept Max entertained, walked him around his house and played with him while Ren ran to the store to get a few things so they had something to eat tomorrow before they left.
A little before noon, they packed up Max’s things they needed for the day and went to Dee’s.
“It’s nice she still has formula and his food there. I don’t need to bring that. Not even diapers. It’s all there.”
“A lot of my parents do the same thing. Keep extra in their kid’s lockers. Some prefer to pack up daily like you do.”
“I’d rather give it to you weekly,” he said. “That is easier. Can I do that?”
She laughed. “Of course. I’m sorry if that wasn’t relayed as an option. We do try to make things as easy as possible for everyone.”
“You have most definitely made my life easier with Max.”
“What else besides Max?” she asked.
She had a grin on her face but found she was insecure about this too.
He pulled her close with one arm, kissed her face and said, “Always that.”
It made her feel somewhat better. She thought they were so good together before and felt they were more so now. She didn’t want to set herself up for feeling more than him though.