I was at a loss for words, but Madison took a step forward and dropped to her knees in front of Grant. He peeked at her as she reached into her pocket and pulled out packages of candy.
“You know, sometimes when I’m feeling down, the thing that makes it a little better is Gummy Bears and caramel.”
Grant let go of Katie and eyed the candy.
“You know what?” Madison gave him one of those smiles that could knock the wind out of you. “Why don’t you have both?” She looked over her shoulder at me. “That is if Jax thinks it’s okay.”
I nodded as she opened the gummy bears. “Grant, can you believe these were on sale forone dollarat the gas station? One flippin’ dollar. That is quite the bargain. Am I right, or am I right?”
He laughed, accepting the candy from her hand.
Madison and Grant led the way out of the office while I hung back with Katie.
“I’ll check in with you tomorrow.” We both looked over in the waiting area as Grant talked to Madison. She was chatting about something when he suddenly took her hand in his. She looked down at him and flashed a grin.
“I think they both look like keepers.” Katie smiled up at me, and I opened my mouth, but nothing came out as she patted my arm.
Once we arrived at the house Grant was still a little shy, but he went bananas over the Spiderman pajamas and then hopped into bed
“Well, good night, Grant. I’ll leave the hall light on for you, and I’m right down the hall. Okay?”
He nodded. “Madison, can you say goodnight to me?”
My eyes traveled to the doorway, where she was unconsciously pulling off sexy in the way she leaned against the door. I fought my cheesy-ass grin, imagining her standing there in the morning sunlight, with messy hair, wearing my Minnesota Wild t-shirt and socks. Just the thought of seeing her like this every night yanked at something in my gut.
“Well, of course.” She pranced in and sat on the edge of the bed. “Good night, Grant. Sleep tight, okay?”
Grant shot up and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Well, thank you.” Her smile was soft as she stood and started to tuck the covers around him.
“What are you doing?” He giggled.
“I’m tucking you in. Like a burrito.” She walked the length of the bed, tucking him in all the way to his feet. “Now you’ll sleep like a snug bug in a rug.”
He belly laughed, and it was pretty cool. “You’re silly.”
She made a face. “Of course I am. Being normal is boring, right? Night, Grant.”
“Nighty, night,” he sang.
I followed Madison out of the room before she bounced down the stairs. At the bottom, she spun around and threw her hands in the air.
“You did it!” she whisper-yelled. “You survived your first hour as a guardian!” She jumped up, threw her arms around my neck, and hugged me. “You were so great.”
I pulled back, mesmerized by those emerald eyes. “Wedid it.”
An eyeroll and giggle. “Yeah, I was a little amazing, I guess. Those gas station snacks were the bomb, huh?”
I nodded. “And what a bargain they were.”
A dramatic nod. “Right? For a flippin’ buck, we should go back tomorrow and stock up. You could have gummy bears shooting out your ass for weeks.”
“Nice visual.”
“Jax, can I have a glass of water?” Yelled Grant from his room.
“Be right there, Buddy!”
