“I saw her in the lobby.”
At the sound of Cole’s voice, Zachary swung around.
“She said she’d give me ten minutes,” said Cole.
“Destiny sent you up?” Amber didn’t want to believe it.
Zachary reached for Cole.
“You want me to take him?”
Amber caved. “She’ll be up in ten minutes?”
Cole cracked a smile. “I bet he’s asleep by then. He looks exhausted.”
Amber was weak. In fact, she was defeated. “He’s the one and only reason I’ll let you in.”
“I’ll take it.” Cole gathered Zachary against his shoulder and moved into the foyer.
“What’s goin’ on here, partner?” Cole rumbled.
Zachary laid his head onto Cole’s shoulder and his cries turned to shuddering breaths.
She couldn’t resist. She smoothed the sweat from Zachary’s forehead, brushing her fingers across his downy, fine hair. “Poor little guy.”
“You’re very patient,” said Cole.
“Not always.”
There were times when she couldn’t help feeling frustrated and resentful. She was doing everything she could for Zachary, but it wasn’t enough. Sometimes she thought he was being miserable just to make her jump through hoops. But in her saner moments, she knew he was far too young to be manipulative.
“You need to do anything?” he asked her as they walked to the living room. “Hungry, thirsty?”
“Don’t be nice.”
A smirk appeared on his face. “Okay.”
“You know what I mean. Don’t try to ingratiate yourself by helping me with Zachary. It won’t work.”
Otis picked a spot beside an armchair and flopped down.
“Then do you think you could whip something up for me?” asked Cole. “Maybe a dry martini and a few hors d’oeuvres?”
“Shut up and mind the baby.”
Cole grinned. “He’s doing fine.”
“I hate that you can do that, you know.” It wasn’t fair at all.
“Accident of genetics.” Cole lowered himself into an armchair.
It was yet another thing that ticked her off. When she was soothing Zachary, she couldn’t sit down. She had to stand and sway or he’d cry his head off.
“This whole thing is an accident of genetics,” Cole repeated.
“You want some hot cocoa?” she asked. She couldn’t help remembering the last time they’d shared that particular beverage, but she needed something soothing right now.
“I was just messing with you. Don’t go to any trouble.”