Brett's Little Headaches(5)

"I told Melanie to get them ready for us."

"Melanie?" Why did I feel a pang of jealousy at the way he said the name?

"The lady behind the counter, I come here a lot so we're on a first name basis." I looked him up and down, because he did not look like someone who was into indulging in sweets; in fact he looked fuck hot as the saying goes.

When his mouth was closed he was actually a pretty awesome package. I guess he caught my look because he grinned at me and said.

"Gunther likes ice-cream, every once in a while I come here to get him some."

"You shouldn't give dogs ice cream."

"Who says?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm sure I've heard it before."

"Gunther likes ice cream, he gets ice cream, the fu...heck they know, are they dogs? Okay boys what'll it be, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or something fun?"

"Fun."

"Fun." They chortled together, clapping their hands with glee.

Are you kidding me right now? I've had to eat vanilla ice cream for the past year or so because they refused to try anything else.

So when I could afford to buy it at the grocery store, it was usually a generic brand of vanilla. I could only look on with my mouth hanging open, as he walked them to the counter to pick out something 'fun'.

After they'd noisily made their choices, he brought them back and helped me put them in their chairs, before turning back to me.

"And you, what do you like?"

I wanted to fold my arms and pout like a brat but I settled for a little sulk.

“I'll have Black Forest frozen yoghurt please." My voice didn’t sound too whiny but it was close.

He actually ruffled my hair and the boys' before heading off. Once again he made the trek outside to give Gunther his ice cream before coming back in.

When he brought the tray with our goodies over, I thought to myself, this guy really doesn't know anything about kids. He'd gotten them two waffle shells instead of cones.

Before I could tell him of his colossal blunder, he explained his reasoning and I had to wonder if he made it a habit of picking up strange women with children, because he seemed to know way too much.

"I figured with a cone they'd spill more of it than they actually get into their mouths, this way they get the best of both worlds, they have their ice cream and their cone.”

“Eat up boys.” He gave the order and my little piglets went to town. I watched and listened as this guy, who now that I wasn't blinded by fury looked like something from a GQ magazine, cleaned my sons' faces and chatted with them.

What the hell? I was more than a little jealous too, so I decided to interject and countermand him. Of course he saw right through me.

"Don't be jealous little mama, it's good that they get to know me, since they're going to be seeing a lot of me from now on."

"What?" Was he serious? I think Mr. Hottie was stark, raving nuts. It’s a pity too, with that wild mane of dark hair and those piercing blue eyes, not to mention dimples; he could’ve been a real catch.

"It's short notice now, but in a couple weeks, after you've gotten to know me better, my mom would love to babysit while we go out. But for now I'm sure you have someone you call on when you need to be somewhere."

He looked at me expectantly and I felt that slight tremble in my limbs at the way those eyes of his seemed to be undressing me.

I swallowed the saliva that was starting to pool in my mouth and tried for a cool attitude once I did answer him, and not like a love sick teenager with a crush.

"Hah, somewhere like where? At the end of the day, after I've finished running around behind these two, I'm lucky if I can still put one foot in front of the other. And to answer your question, my dad's the only one I trust with them and he's working the late shift tonight, sorry."

"No problem, I'll bring dinner to you, what does the boys like to eat?" He helped Garret spoon some sprinkle- covered ice cream into his mouth before wiping off his chin.

Okay this guy is probably an axe murderer or something. What guy that looked like that, would go out of his way to be with a woman with not one but two kids? Still I found myself answering him.

"They like pizza."

"Okay boys, pizza for dinner okay with you?"

“Wait a min...”

Their loud chorus of 'pisa pisa' was answer enough I guess, but now I was left with doubts, something just wasn't adding up here.

"You know, most guys would run hard in the opposite direction from a young mother with kids, why are you trying so hard?"

He studied me for a good minute, in which time I begun to squirm in my seat. The guy really knows how to do it with a look, but why bother? He gave me this sly grin like he knew exactly what I was thinking, before leaning over to whisper in my ear.