I'm feeling pretty generous today. And so I'm going to give you guys multiple chapters! Yay you!


JUNE 14

I fixed Stryker's little Fedora hat as we walked into the photo studio. He was just a little over six months old, and I wanted to get some pictures of him. Not just of him, though. I wanted some family pictures, of the two of us.

I signed in for our appointment with the lady at the desk, and then sat in the little waiting area, holding Stryker on my lap. He kept trying to get down and play the nearby toys. It was a small studio, with just two photographers available. They must have both been in a session, because I didn't see anyone else around.

"No," I said. "You'll mess up your cute outfit if you get down and start rolling around. Stop it, Stryk."

He grunted, trying to squirm out of my arms.

"Stryker!"

He kept wiggling.

"Stryker Anson Pendragon," I said. "Knock it off."

"Pendragon," a deep voice called.

I lifted Stryker into my arms, turning toward the voice. I nearly froze when I saw him.

The photographer was hot. At least, I assumed he was the photographer. He was tall, about six-five. Olive skin. Brown, wavy hair. Barely noticeable freckles. And beautiful biceps. Biceps that I just wanted to caress, and –

I shook myself out of the small trance I'd fallen into and smiled at him. "That's me. Mackenzie Pendragon."

He smiled. "I'm William Daobeth. I'll be your photographer today. You're doing two shoots? A baby shoot and a family shoot?"

I nodded. "Yep. My son is about six months now, and I wanted to commemorate that."

"Will he be up for two shoots? A lot of babies get tired after just one shoot."

I shrugged. "He should be fine. He's a pretty easy-going little guy. And he's a trooper."

He gestured into a side room, where I followed him. "And will Dad be joining us for the family photos?"

"Nope. Dad's not in the picture." I blushed slightly. "Okay, that just sounded like the world's worse pun. Ever. I did not mean it that way."

William laughed. "You're fine. Let's start with him up on this platform."

I sat Stryker on the platform. It was sort of like a counter, with a short wall on the back, so I didn't have to worry about him falling off the back. William chose a few different stuffed animals from a large basket. He held them out to Stryker, letting him choose one. My son reached for an elephant, and held it close.

William snapped some pictures. Huh, I hadn't even noticed him moving to the camera.

Over the next half hour, William was able to get a bunch of cute poses out of my boy. And we only had one little outburst, when Stryker dropped a toy. The rest of the time, he was all smiles and laughter.

And William was hilarious. He made all kinds of jokes – complete with crazy facial expressions. The faces got huge smiles out of Stryker. And the jokes got chuckles out of me.

"All right. Mom, if you want to join in. Keep him on the platform. I want you to peek around the side of the short wall, trying to surprise him. Maybe we can get a few candid shots."

Nodding, I moved behind the platform. Then I peeked around the side and said, with a smile, "Boo!"

Stryker laughed.

William took the picture.

After a few more different shots on the platform, he had me sit in a vintage-looking armchair, holding Stryker in my lap. He got big smiles out of both of us. Then he had me rub noses with Stryker. And to finish it off, he got some shots of me holding Stryker above me in the air, kissing his face, or leaning my forehead against his, or just smiling widely. And then, because Stryker fell asleep, a few of him snoring against my shoulder.

"Thank you," I told William, as I headed toward the door of the room. Stryker was still fast asleep against my shoulder. "I can't wait to see the finished product."

"You'll get a call in about two weeks, when they're ready to be picked up. Just leave your number with my secretary, Amber. She'll be the one to give you a call."

"Awesome."

"You know," he began, "I really shouldn't do this with clients, but…Well, I'd like to get to know you better. Would you be willing to go out to dinner with me?"

I stared at him. "I have a kid," I said.

He grinned. "I know."

"I'm only eighteen. And barely even that."

He did look a little surprised at that, but his smile stayed in place. He probably thought I was twenty or something. "I'm only twenty-one."

I bit my lip. I hadn't even thought about dating other guys since my breakup with Jon. Maybe it was time to get out there again. I didn't really want Stryker to grow up without a dad. And I missed have a boyfriend.

I took his hand and the pen from his shirt pocket. I wrote my cell number on his palm. "All right. Dinner it is, then. Text me, and we'll arrange it."