She was different. He wanted to please her. Do things to make her laugh and smile, to make her happy, and not just in bed.
“Ah, so you’re already a step ahead,” Mac said. “You know she’s special.”
No sense in denying it. Rylee with her mega observation skills, and the Tier 1 Operators in his buddies would see right through that bullshit, so Dante nodded.
“Once you find the right woman, she gets into your blood, and stays with you,” Sinjin said, finally joining the conversation, speaking between jabs to the heavy bag. “And when you aren’t together, it gnaws at you until you do whatever’s required to keep her at your side.”
Dante wondered what exactly had transpired between his Native American buddy and his pretty nurse.
He cleared his throat. “Well, it’s not exactly like that.”
Sinjin’s dark gaze met his. “Not yet.”
A shiver ran through him. He shrugged it off. “We’re keeping things neutral around Noah, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything when we only act like friends in his presence. Okay?”
“Absolutely,” Hunter replied, and Dante wasn’t surprised, given the guy had been in a similar position with Christa and her son, but on the Amanda side of the coin. “That’s what Christa and I tried at first. But, like they said, it didn’t last long.”
Dante frowned. “Why?”
“Because Dillan wanted us to be together,” Hunter replied. “I’m betting that will happen with Noah, too. Sooner probably than later. He seems to like Amanda.”
A smile tugged at Dante’s lips as memories of the woman interacting with his son the past few days filled his mind. “He does. He likes when she reads to him because she does better voices. And she makes better spaghetti than I do.”
Carter’s brows rose. “How many times has she been over?”
“Two times.” He avoided all gazes.
Even the birds.
“How many times have you been to her place?” Cooper asked.
Dante exhaled. “Two times.”
The guys laughed.
“Are you seeing her tonight?” Dean asked.
“No, he’s bringing Noah to our house for tacos,” Hunter replied.
RJ’s brows rose. “She’s okay with not being invited?”
He jerked his head back. “Of course.”
They had an understanding. Amanda would not mind if he did things without her.
“Yeah, that ‘acting like friends’ thing is going to hit the fan soon.” Carter chuckled.
“He’ll cross that bridge when it comes,” Mac said, then straightened his stance. “Okay, I think that’s enough of the Dante inquisition and advice segment.”
Grateful for the assist, he nodded at Mac.
“So, how about we get on with our day?” The boss motioned toward the mat in the middle of the room where they held their daily sparring matches to keep in shape. “Who’s beating the shit out of who first? Winner takes on Dante.”
All right. He nodded, completely on board.
She’s okay with not being invited?
RJ’s question resounded in Dante’s head. He’d been sure of his answer, but now, the more it replayed in his mind, the more unsure he became.
