He’d known none of this about Bonnie because he’d never asked her personal questions. Now he was second-guessing himself. There was being professional, and then there was indifference.
He and Noel had grown up with parents who were largely uninterested in everything related to their children, and a number of hired caregivers who were as well.
He’d managed to find someone amazing who truly cared about his son. But was he treating her the way he’d loathed being treated himself growing up?
The thought bothered him a great deal. He’d always sworn he’d be nothing like his parents. But in keeping up such a definite wall between himself and Bonnie, had he inadvertently become someone he never wanted to be?
Gunner finished eating and proudly brandished his messy hands. The adults all chuckled.
Jace tried his best to clean his son’s hands, but the paper towels were no match.
Noel stood. “I’ll go give him a bath.”
Bonnie stood as well. “I had better head out myself.”
Jace followed suit and wished the evening didn’t have to end. He’d learned a lot about Bonnie, and that information was addicting. What else didn’t he know about her?
Noel extracted Gunner from his highchair. “It was nice to meet you, Bonnie. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. I’m glad you joined us for dinner.” Gunner got some shredded cheese in her hair. Noel’s nose wrinkled. “Looks like he’s not the only one who is going to need a bath.”
Bonnie laughed. “It was great to meet you, too. Thank you both for the invitation.” She tickled Gunner on the tummy. “And I will see you on Monday, little guy. Bye, bye!” She waved to him.
Gunner waved back, his palm facing him and his fingers moving up and down.
Jace loved the way he waved and knew that it wouldn’t last long before he realized how to do it correctly.
He watched as Noel carried Gunner out of the dining room.
“It’s great that your sister helps with Gunner so much.”
Jace nodded. “It is a blessing, that’s for sure.” His own parents had never been willing to help. Their unkind words spoken after Gunner was born came to mind, and he did everything he could to shove them back into the closet of his mind where they belonged.
They looked at each other for several moments. Bonnie shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I can help you clean up.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ll put everything in the dishwasher. It won’t take long.” Their time spent in the kitchen cooking together was about as domestic as they needed to get for one night. “Do you have everything you need at the apartment? If anything’s missing, please let me know.”
“Are you kidding? The place is great. I actually feel guilty I’m not paying any rent at all.” She gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you again.”
“No problem.” He watched as she retrieved her bag and got ready to leave.
They reached the door, and she lifted a hand in farewell. “Have a good night, Jace.”
“You, too.”
Jace closed the door behind her before going upstairs and standing near the alcove. He watched until she appeared on the path and entered the garage. Only then did he go into the kitchen and get to work.
He was nearly finished when Noel returned with a squeaky-clean Gunner in tow.
“How does one toddler get this much food in his hair?”
Jace laughed. “I wish I knew the answer to that.”
Gunner began to play with magnets on the fridge.
Noel took a towel from Jace and dried the kitchen counter. “So. Bonnie sure is nice.”
“Yep.”
His sister abandoned the towel and turned to face him, her hands on her hips. “You’ve definitely got a keeper. Gunner obviously adores her, that’s clear.”
