The small house outside of Monterey looked as rundown as ever and yet Tank knew once inside it would be impeccable.
His mother never would’ve won the mother-of-the-year award, but she still had been keeping him clean and feeding him, which was important. Always had been.
Though now when he came home he saw her for the wreck she was. “Mom?” he called, waiting in the dark hallway leading to the back of the house and the kitchen. Next to him were the stairs, narrow and also dark, telling him his mother hadn’t yet bothered opening any curtains anywhere.
Three days had passed since Evy had arrived and he hadn’t heard from her again. It was no surprise really, with her settling in at the new office, the new home, and into old friendships she probably had no idea how to deal with just yet.
Not that he checked his phone often to see if she’d called.
Pussy-whipped.
That was what he’d called Jazz back when Tessa had been around the first time, and he’d been angry about the way Jazz had been ready to jump whenever she asked for him.
Now he felt like doing the same. There were moments he told himself he wouldn’t if he were busy, but he also knew it was a lie.
If she needed him, and he proved he was always there, maybe there’d be hope for them on the horizon.
“Thomas? Is that you?”
I’m an only child, mother, who else would call you mom? he snarled in his mind.
“Yes. Where are you?” But he already knew. The voice came from the living room and he followed it there, finding his mother on the couch. A quick sweep with his eyes proved the room to be clean and well-kept. He hadn’t expected anything else.
His mother’s problem never had been drugs or alcohol, but the inability of loving another soul. Emotional bonds weren’t for her, never had been, and she’d had a string of lovers from the moment Tank could remember.
He dropped down on the sofa next to her, checking the TV. She was watching some cop show and they were hunting a guy through a dark warehouse.
“Hey Mom,” he greeted her and she turned off the TV before facing him. Others might have construed that as interest in him, but he knew better.
She thought the talk would be over faster if he worried he was interrupting something.
“Son, what brings you here today?”
He wasn’t exactly sure. He didn’t do obligatory visits with her, son or not, and he certainly never dropped by unannounced, but that morning he’d gotten up and felt the need to talk to someone who didn’t know Jazz, Tessa, or Evy.
Someone who didn’t know him, either.
“What if you were to be the grandmother of a nearly two-year-old in just a few short months? And no, she’s not my child, but there is this woman…”
He didn’t finish when seeing his mother’s disgusted face. “You’d raise a child that isn’t yours? Another man didn’t consider the child worthy of him and you’re there to jump in? Didn’t I teach you better? You never went for another child’s used toys. You wanted your own and you got them. Don’t start anything else as a man now.”
“I love that little girl.” And it was true. When they’d been Skyping and she’d been around, he’d done everything to make her giggle because it made his heart light.
Nothing else ever had been able to, but Leila’s innocence and trust meant the world to him. She didn’t know or understand about assholes and angels yet, and if you were nice to her, she rewarded you with loyalty and smiles. The scene at the airport had proven that.
“And you probably want to fuck her mother, but that doesn’t mean you need to take care of the brat. Thomas, listen to me.” She framed his face and leaned in slightly. “If you think you want a family, find yourself a girl who’s ready for it, have the baby and then play family, but don’t come running to me. You’re better than that. Having a child means you’ll never again be free.”
“Thanks, Mother,” he replied, standing. He’d heard the sentence so often and yet, it hurt again each time she dropped it.
“Don’t be dramatic. Sit, boy. Love is just a hindrance.”
He swallowed, knowing he’d regret his next words. “You’ve never been in love, have you?” He didn’t know if he’d been, but he had a feeling he had an idea how it felt, and none of it really seemed to be a hindrance for him.
“Oh please. Making yourself vulnerable? What if that girl you are so hung up on grabs your colleague and kisses him? You’d be crushed because you had the illusion something would come out of it. But you should know better. You were not made for love. You get what you need from a woman and then move on. It’s what I taught you. Loyalty is reserved for your friends, because those won’t as easily abandon you. Women—”
“Not all women are like you, Mom. They don’t just search for cock.”
His mother cackled and he closed his eyes. Maybe, if they’d have a better relationship, he could ask her what broke her so utterly and completely that she was the way she was, but he didn’t and wasn’t sure he ever wanted to.
“Do not call me a slut, son,” she fussed and he stood again.
“Why not? It’s what you are. Yes, you don’t bring them home, but you don’t go back for seconds, and—”
The slap she gave him echoed through the silence of the house and he lowered his eyes. It wasn’t the first time this happened, either.
“If I ever have a child, or a wife, I’ll tell them my mother moved far, far away, and we cannot ever visit her. Just so you know.”
He passed her, stepping back into the dark hallway.
“I never asked you to come here today, and I certainly never want to see you with a child or a wife. It’ll ruin you, my perfectly good son!” she called after him and he let the door fall closed behind him, pausing in the overgrown yard…or rather what was called a yard in that area but really wasn’t much more than two steps of weeds.
Was it too hard to ask for a few encouraging words, for a small show of affection? She was his mother, for fuck’s sake, and he couldn’t remember if she’d ever bothered to touch or hold him.
It proved again that feeding and clothing a child sometimes wasn’t enough. He was messed up because of his mother, and wondered if he’d even be able to have a fully functioning relationship—or family.
What if he messed up like she had?
You’re already changing, his heart whispered.
Nothing can get that rotten shit out of you, his mind insisted.
Getting into his truck, Tank turned the music up until he couldn’t hear his own thoughts anymore in the tiny space, and only then did he exhale slowly.
* * *
The office they’d gotten for her was tiny, almost a joke, and Evy couldn’t believe how far her asshole one night stand would go to make her life hell. It had a desk, a chair, a computer and Internet, and that was about it. No phone, no lamp, no nothing.
Hell, there weren’t even pens on the desk. Not that you could really call it a desk. It actually was just a wooden board and four legs attached—or looked like it, because when she tried moving it, it proved to be rather heavy.
Her English cell rang just as she was about to open her laptop.
“Jackson?” she asked, not being able to recognize the number since it was a private one.
“Miss Jackson, all the way on the other side of the world. Have you started on the project yet?”
Ian.
She gritted her teeth and refrained from snapping at him, or making stupid comments.
“It’s nice of you to check in on me, Mr. Lanestrong. I’m just at the office, ready to print all I need to go and talk to—”
“Tick tock, Miss Jackson. I’m expecting a positive report in a few days. That shouldn’t be a problem, right? Did you talk to you friend already?”
“Of course. You understand it’ll take some negotiating on her side.” It was a white lie Evy didn’t mind making. Ian didn’t have to know about her situation. “And thanks for the office,” she added as an afterthought, wondering if it would disappoint him that she didn’t sound angry.
He made a dismissive sound. “I didn’t look for that or know anything about it. Cecilia dealt with that. I gotta go. Do your job, and do it well.” With that he hung up and she surveyed her little office again, wondering if Cecilia had known the dimensions of it.
However, she had one, and that was what mattered. She’d make it work. She’d be okay with it. She’d make the best of it. Leila was on the floor—dark wooden planks, as if the room didn’t feel claustrophobic enough—and occupied herself with some paper and pencils. She drew far off the paper, but honestly, Evy couldn’t care less. Lei was silent and that was what mattered.
“Printer,” she said to herself as she hit print, wanting to have the numbers of the event on actual paper. Of course she didn’t own a printer yet.
How she was supposed to set up a second office with more than one person working in a space like that, she didn’t know. There were large offices outside; the building she was working in was just newly opened and redone, and next to her storage room office there was a huge one with a full view over the city. It was an empty room, but Evy had snuck inside anyway to look at it. In front of the door there was a huge open space, offering room for maybe ten to fifteen cubicles.
Evy could see it, almost hear it, the low buzzing of working people, but instead of having a glorious office, she had this.
There was a tiny window at her back, barely big enough to lean out if she wanted to, and she opened it, feeling as if she was suffocating.
The sound of heels on hardwood floor made her look up. She’d left the door open because no one else was working on that floor, and she spotted her best friend coming toward her. She was beaming—which wasn’t unusual—and carried a potted plant that looked like a small palm tree.
If Tessa was thrown off by the tiny office Evy worked in, she didn’t let on, still beaming. “I brought you a plant. You know, it’s what people do if someone moves into a new… something.”
“Storage room?” Evy helped out and Tessa shrugged.
“Let’s be real, your asshole boss won’t pay for a cleaning lady any time soon, and having a small office like this just ensures you can clean it alone. It’s better than any of the huge things, and if you want to move your feet, you can still do that in the space in front of your office’s door.”
Evy smiled. “You know I love you, right? You always see the positive, and yes, I most likely will have to clean by myself.”
Tessa placed the potted plant in one corner, bent to kiss Leila hello, and then stepped back out into the wide space. Evy followed her, observing the room. It had light gray walls, windows looking into smaller offices and also some facing the outside. The ceiling was high for an office building, the lamps efficient and long.
“Did you call your London office to ask if maybe there was a mix up?” Tess eventually asked and Evy snorted.
“I talked to my boss, but… If I didn’t know any better I might believe the mix-up theory, but since he said he didn't look for it or know anything about it, I’m just assuming Cecilia hadn’t gotten the right measurements. Anyway, I’ll do my job, won’t complain, and that’s that.”
And she was set on that. Tessa watched her thoughtfully before walking over to the window facing the outside.
Evy eyed her up and down. She’d seen her best friend at Christmas and it had been obvious the year had taken a toll on her. She couldn’t remember when Tess had last been so skinny. Now she had curves in the all the right places, wore dark denim and black heels as well as a business suit jacket over a blouse. She could fit into any meeting, but also didn’t exactly stand out in a casual crowd.
Happiness looked exceptionally well on her best friend.
“Speaking of job, any idea of how you’ll secure an event with this?” She pointed back at the black hole in the wall and Evy sighed.
Now would be the perfect time to tell Tessa everything.
I have less than three months to do my job.
I’m supposed to secure your event.
I need your help.
The thing was, she couldn’t get the words past her lips. She was used to doing everything alone, and if Tessa would help her score this gig, she felt as if Lanestrong had won because she’d used her connections.
“I don’t even know where to look actually, but it’ll be okay. I plan on doing a lot of footwork. Ringing doorbells and so on.”
Tessa arched a brow. “I don’t think small people events will help you with this,” she remarked.
“I meant hotels and businesses,” Evy replied and Tessa nodded, sighing.
Something was up. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know if you remember the Army event coming up?”
“The one your station sponsors or whatever you do?”
Tessa laughed. “No sponsoring whatsoever. We’re getting paid a shit ton of money because we’re basically presenting the gala, planning the entertainment for the night, and we need to put together TV spots and whatnot for it. It’s a huge thing and I’m either at the studio or out talking to soldiers, wives, and parents of soldiers. You know, military families. We’re looking for stories about bravery and everything. It’s inspiring and incredible. I also spend a quarter of my time at the base now. I think Tank hates seeing me.” She winked while Evy’s stomach dropped.
She hadn’t talked to Tank since he’d sat on her bed, hadn’t even messaged him just to tell him they were okay.
She hadn’t even managed to message him when Leila asked for him constantly. She had no idea how he’d done it, but Tank was pretty much the only guy Leila let close. With others her daughter had a tendency to freak the moment they spoke, as if some male had scared her at some point.
Not that Evy could remember.
“He loves you and you know it,” she said absentmindedly, knowing it was the truth. “Jazz is like his brother, and Tank is glad he has you.”
“Still… What I was aiming at, the event planners for the gala and everything else? They suck. I was supposed to be informed about everything since I deliver the content they have to present, and the Army wants the event my style.” She pulled a face, causing Evy to giggle. “Whatever my style is, but they clearly don’t like me very much. I don’t get informed or involved at all, and it’s just…” She shook her head.
Evy’s heart started to race in her chest. If Tessa were unhappy, maybe things would work out after all.
“I wish I could organize it,” she said casually and Tessa glanced at her, sympathy in her eyes.
“While I think you’d do amazing, I don’t think you could jump in on such a short notice. You don’t have the connections it would take, you don’t know the businesses here, and let’s face it, this wouldn’t be a one-woman-show. You’re out-of-this-world-dedicated, but even you couldn’t make that happen.” Tessa shook her head. “Remember when you started working for Lanestrong Events and you forgot to eat because you worked yourself into the ground, trying to prove yourself?”
Evy remembered that. She’d collapsed on her way home and the diagnosis had been a circulatory collapse from the lack of food and too much coffee. She’d spent two days in the hospital and Tessa had sat by her bed the entire time, telling her she’d never again allow something like that to happen, even if it meant she’d have to hand-deliver food.
“That was different,” Evy insisted. It really wasn’t, but Tessa didn’t need to know that.
“Again, it’s not a one-woman-job, Ev, even if that woman is you,” Tessa argued gently.
“I’m allowed to hire people to help me,” she replied instantly and Tessa grinned weakly.
“It’s going to be cozy in that office of yours. However, I didn’t tell Jazz’s boss yet that I’m not very happy with the planning. I feel horrible, like I’d sink to their level, so…”
“Tessa, this is about so much more. That event is supposed to push the Army’s popularity, and your radio station’s, too. You need to think about that. Do you want their good name ruined?”
Her best friend turned to her, a serious expression on her face now. “The event is March sixteenth, Evangeline, and has been in the planning for almost six weeks now. There’s hardly the same amount of time left. Who would possibly be able to manage the whole event planning? You don’t think Elaborate Events would give any of their clients and partners over, right? They’d cancel all they ordered so far and the whole thing would have to start from the beginning again. You’d need a new concept and everything. No event business could do that. Especially because the Army already spent money on it. Be realistic.”
Would it be hard work, coupled with tears and breakdowns? Yes, but it was possible.
“Tess, it’s possible. You have an amazing event and should be happy with it instead of settling.”
Her best friend shook her head. “You think I’m just going to be a push-over? Is that what you’re saying?”
Instantly Evy back-paddled. “No, I’m just saying—”
“Trust me, they will inform me, and I will have a say in how those things are going, but I will not allow you to work yourself into the ground for an event you cannot possibly arrange by yourself, and finding valuable help will impossible on such short notice because as it is, look around. You don’t have anything to offer in terms of work or reputation. They don’t know you.”
Evy gritted her teeth. “You don’t believe in me.”
Tessa laughed, the sound cold and disbelieving. “I believe in you, Evangeline, but I’m also not stupid, and I’ve seen the organization this kind of event takes. I’m being realistic. Besides, the Army has event planners, and that’s that.”
“If I talk to the Army and they give the thing to me, will you believe I can do it?”
If Tessa hadn’t made so much sense, Evy wouldn’t feel as angry, but being helpless had always caused her to be furious, too.
“Work yourself into the ground if it makes you happy, but don’t expect me to stand by idly and not say something. Good luck with it, Evangeline. Call me when you realize I was right and only have your best interest at heart.”
The moment Tessa was gone; tears started streaming down Evy’s face. If she’d just told Tessa that her life in the US depended on this job, maybe she’d be more understanding.
Maybe then they wouldn’t waste more time, either, but Evy wanted to do this alone, and she already had a plan.
“Leila? Come, we’re going to see Tank,” she called and then turned, steeling her shoulders and wiping away the angry tears. Ian Lanestrong would see what she was made of, even if it was the last thing she ever did.
* * *
“Tant!”
Tank lifted the head from the ground, trying to see if he’d just imagined the small voice because he’d been thinking of her, but when he saw small white boots blinking with each step, he rolled out from under the car.
“Tant!”
Leila jumped at him before he had any time to think, and he caught her, knowing he was going to leave grease prints all over her. She wrapped her small arms around his neck and he cuddled her close. She smelled of sugar and baby and mostly of her mom, which caused him to close his eyes.
“Lei,” Jazz greeted the girl, coming around a car.
Tank pulled back, almost smug when the girl held onto him, just squinting up at his best friend. “Jesse.”
The way she said it, she might as well been talking about the dirt on the ground.
“You’ll love me one day, I swear,” Jazz muttered good-humoredly and Tank wanted to stand, but Leila kept holding onto him.
“Evy, hey,” his best friend said and Tank knew he should’ve expected her since her daughter was there, but seeing Evy felt like a blow to his stomach.
She was beautiful in an conservative black business suit, her now-straight dark hair pulled into a braid, her lips smiling softly as she hugged Jazz, and then her hazel eyes came to rest on him.
He tried to gauge what she was thinking, but if he knew one thing about her, it was that she wore a poker face like no one else.
“Tank,” she said, her voice soft.
Finally he stood, this time with Leila in his arms, and held a hand out to her, but she ignored it and stepped into his arms for a brief moment the way she had with Jazz.
God, he’d missed her.
“What are you doing here? And how did you get in without company?”
Her eyes flitted to Jazz for a second before she lowered her lashes, a blush on her cheeks. “I used Tessa’s name and told them she sent me to talk to the base commander,” she whispered and Tank arched a brow, feeling how Leila fingered his dog tags.
He expected her to get heavy, but the truth was he wanted to hold onto her. It felt good, her weight in his arms.
“And why exactly do you need to talk to the base commander?” Tank asked.
“Why exactly did you lie to the guy at the gates and use Tessa’s name for it?” Jazz asked at the same time.
Tank smirked as Evy’s chin lifted in defiance. “Tessa is unhappy with the event planner for the charity gala. I want to offer my services,” she explained. “Maybe that way it’ll get better. And I could be around her more.”
Tank glanced at his best friend before stepping forward. “I think it would be a good idea to give it to you because you know Tess, but honestly? You cannot do that alone.”
She cleared her throat. “I know that, but I’ll worry about that the moment I have the okay from your bosses.”
“And Tessa didn’t come with you to plead your case because…?” Jazz asked and Tank wanted to punch him.
Yeah, they knew Evy had come on her own account to talk about the even, without her best friend’s approval, but did he really have to call her out like this? Tessa would cover her ass if she was going to be asked about it, that much Tank was sure of.
“She was busy.”
Jazz’s gaze softened and he stopped forward, kissing Evy’s cheek like he would with his sister if he was worried.
Tank envied him for being able to do it so easily and without having to worry what she’d think.
“She knows you cannot handle so much to begin with, doesn’t she?”
“That wasn’t what she said,” Evy replied and Tank willed her to shut up. She had to know the couple would be talking about this. “Let me try, Jesse, okay? Please,” she begged and finally his best friend sighed.
“Good luck then.” He glanced from Evy to Tank and bit his cheeks to probably stop himself from grinning. “I’m gonna go and tinker with that car some more.”
And with that he retreated back into the garage while Tank looked from him to Evy. The silence between them was suddenly heavy, and yet he didn’t know what to say.
“Can we meet up tonight? I hope Hilary will take Leila, but…”
His heart started to bang against his ribcage. He should’ve known it would be like that, the booty calls, and yet it felt weird. He’d rather wanted to take her out and then bring her back to base to make love to her in a bed. However, he’d promised her sex whenever and wherever, and if it was all she wanted, then—
“I desperately need to talk to someone and I… I can’t talk to Tessa about this, so beers at a bar?” she finished and he exhaled.
Not a booty call. Just a friend thing. Frankly, he was just as disappointed about that as he’d been at the prospect of sex. What the fuck was wrong with him?
“You better take a cab if you plan on drinking,” he stated, not knowing what else to tell her.
She grinned. “Worried about me?”
He shook his head, acting nonchalant. “Just don’t want Hilary and Tessa to come after my balls if anything happens to you,” he replied and she sobered.
“They won’t. I’ll make sure of it. So text me which bar and when, okay? Leila, we need to get going.”
“Leave her here. Your meeting will go much smoother when not distracted by a child,” he predicted and she sighed.
“She’ll be in the way.”
He smiled, touching Leila’s nose. “She’ll be perfectly okay. Your talk won’t take forever, I’m sure.”
She shook her head and then thanked him before turning away.
“Good luck,” he whispered, figuring she could use it because if neither Tessa nor Jazz thought she’d get what she wanted, she probably wouldn’t.
He wished he could do something for her, but knew better than to interfere with her and her best friend.
Turning back to the cars, he put Leila on her own two feet and then crouched down. “So, let me tell you something about cars,” he started and she instantly nodded.
“Tars,” she agreed and he couldn't help but grin.
She was adorable and he’d teach her all he could—as long as her mother would allow it.
* * *
“Shit” didn’t even begin to describe how the meeting went. Tank’s superiors had made it pretty clear that unless Tessa came and a) complained about the other company and b) suggested Evy specifically, they’d never trust her to do any event for them.
Not even small ones because they had no idea who she was and where she was from. Also, it was a new business in the US and they weren’t sure about the quality of her work.
She’d kept the tears at bay just barely, but now that she was out, she wondered if she could allow a few of them to slip out. Then again, she needed to pick up Leila from the garage and she sure wasn’t in the mood to have the guys see her cry. Especially because it would cause too many questions.
She pulled out her phone, not bothering to calculate what time it was back in the UK. She was close with her mother, or rather used to be, and loved her family above everything else, but they were the reason Tessa and currently weren’t the friends they used to be.
Her family also was the reason why she couldn’t be honest with her best friend without feeling as if she lost her independence in the process.
“Jackson?”
“It’s Evangeline, Mom,” she stated, waiting for a heartbeat. After Leila’s birth something had cracked between her mother and her, and she wasn’t sure it could ever be repaired.
“Evy, hey! How are you doing? How is that child of yours?”
That child of yours…
And another tiny crack appeared.
“She’s good. We’re in the US and I’m surprised how well she’s adjusting.”
Her mother clucked her tongue in disapproval. “Another trip to the US? You should probably consider your finances a little closer, daughter.”
“My finances, exactly, Mother,” she replied, regretting the bite in her tone instantly. “And no, I’m here for work. My boss sent me over.”
And now would come the next part she already knew she was going to hate hearing. “The guy who’s paying child support and therefore financing all your crazy ideas and trips?”
She gritted her teeth. “Actually, he’s not paying child support, so—”
“Oh God, that can only mean it’s not his child. How many men have you slept with?” Her mother’s outrage cut deep.
“He doesn’t pay child support because he considers tolerating me at work enough of a payment. And yes, that’s the one.”
“He must be a good man, making your biggest dream come true,” her mother stated dreamily, clearly deciding to ignore the rest, and Evy wondered if her mother was actually listening to her at all.
She had no idea when her mother had gotten such a bad impression of her own daughter, especially because when Evy originally crushed on Ian Lanestrong, her mom had wondered if there could be something more at some point.
“How are you and my dearest sister?”
She heard her mother’s excited intake of breath and knew the last thing she’d hear now would be about her mother and the rest of the family—and wasn’t wrong.
“Cyn has this amazing job now where she earns so much money. She went all by herself and got it, just being awesome in the interview. They hired her on the spot. It’s incredible. And just imagine, she came out of another job and they offered her a lot more money just to keep her. That’s how much they loved her there! I’m so proud of Cyn.”
Of course she was because she didn’t know that her little sister got everything she did because she also did whatever was asked of her—including kneeling at any given point. Not that Evy would ever tell their parents that. It was enough when she regularly tried to convince Cynthia to do honest work before she got herself in trouble. Naturally Evy had been the one who got pregnant from a one night stand, the first and only one she’d ever had. That was, if you didn’t count Tank, which she didn’t because there was going to be a repeat.
“That’s good, mom. I’m happy for her.” Yes, her lack of enthusiasm said exactly that.
“Don’t be jealous, Evangeline. Eventually you’ll manage something all by yourself and you’ll feel accomplished.”
It was a split-second decision, one Evy knew she was going to regret even before she spoke but she wanted just some praise. “I’m actually going to organize an Army event over here. A big one.” It was a lie, although she still hoped she’d land the gig, no matter how slim the chances were.
“Army?
Just that one word let Evy know already that she hadn’t done herself a favor.
“Tessa helped you score that, didn’t she? After all, she’s dating that solider. Their story was all over the media. She’s like a celebrity now. A small one, but famous anyway. Aw, it’s so nice of her to do that for you.”
God, when had her life gone so off the path she didn’t even recognize the direction she was going any longer? Biting back tears yet again, she told her mother goodbye and pocketed her phone.
The February air was cool against her skin, but nothing compared to London at this time of the year. Here the sun was actually shining and Evy lifted her face toward the warm rays, hoping it would lift her mood.
It didn’t help much and she forced her feet forward, back to the garage to pick up her daughter.
She met Jazz first, and he pointed at her to be quiet. She arched a brow and he nodded her forward. Careful to not make a sound, she joined him where he stood and followed his eyes to where Tank and her baby girl were leaning over an engine. He’d built a steady looking small tower for her to stand on she he had his hands free to show her things.
“Starter,” Tank said.
“Starter,” Leila repeated perfectly.
“Cooling water pump?” he asked and Evy watched in disbelief as her daughter reached out.
“Toolin’ water pumt,” she stated expertly and he nodded.
Reaching out, he pointed at something else Evy couldn’t see. “Coolant pipe.”
“Toolantpipe,” Leila echoed, fascinated like Evangeline had never seen her before.
“How long have they been doing that?” she asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the other two.
Jazz shrugged, a proud smile on his lips. “Since you left. He was patient and your daughter eager. I’m surprised she focused as long.”
So was Evy. She was also surprised her daughter repeated so many of the words because usually she’d lose interest in speaking if you tried to make her say specific things.
“Dengine,” Leila announced and Tank laughed, pulling back.
“Engine,” he corrected, but she didn’t drop the ‘D’ in front of it no matter what. Not that he seemed to mind.
His smile froze when he spotted her. “Your mom’s back, little one,” he announced and Lei glanced over her shoulder briefly before looking up at him.
“Toolant,” she demanded and he ruffled her hair.
“Another time, okay?”
Even without seeing Leila’s face Evy knew she was going to throw a fit. But before she started screaming, Tank had whisked her up in his arms, tickling her until she couldn’t breathe anymore while he carried her daughter over.
Evy spotted black finger prints on her daughter’s baby pink clothes, but she couldn’t even muster the anger she’d usually feel because the display was too amazing, too touching.
Tank was an ass with basically almost every female he knew, and yet, when it came to Leila she’d never seen anyone as good with her as he was.
“Mom,” Leila greeted her, reaching out when Tank was close enough.
Again tears came to Evy’s eyes, but this time it was gratefulness because there was a man who clearly cared about her daughter, and not just a little. No matter what he’d say or not, she knew he did because actions were everything.
“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted and Jazz leaned in.
“Thank you would be a great way to start,” he grinned and she nudged him with her shoulder.
“Thank you, Tank. And I’ll text you?”
She wasn’t sure she wanted Jazz to know that they were going to meet up, and then suddenly felt bad about it, because she didn’t plan on anything happening… not like the night at Hilary’s house, when she’d drank the liquid courage for no other reason.
“You’re very welcome. It was fun. I had to dig deep for my knowledge.” He winked and then turned away, as if he was embarrassed he let her see how much he’d enjoyed his time with her daughter.
“See you tonight then?” she asked his back, and he stiffened slightly before turning to her with a beautiful, honest smile.
“Yes, tonight.”
She nodded one last time, then turned and walked out of the base, her daughter babbling in her arms, throwing around words that made absolutely no sense and sounded wrong. Evy assumed she’d just learned from Tank. Damn, she hoped the excitement about that would never begin to fade, because her daughter deserved the attention—and so much more.