Chapter 64 Lunch Date
Gavin's P.O.V.
When we reach the building, I drop Dina off on the second floor, where her apartment is, and then continue up to the penthouse. Everyone is preparing to eat lunch, including the Kondrati men, who seem to be hanging out a lot. I was concerned about them at first, but they're not as bad as I had imagined. Sometimes, you can even forget that they're Russian mobsters.
"I hope I got everything you wanted. I had some help at the store. She invited me down to her place for lunch. I just want to check her out to make sure she's legit. She said she has a three-year-old son with autism, and she works from home." I pull out my phone and begin running her information. She didn't give me her last name, but I have her first name and apartment number. That's all I need. Within a few minutes, I read her divorce documents and employment records. I even have her birth certificate.
"What's her name?" Dakota asks.
"Dina. Her son's name is Noah. I checked her out, and everything she said is true. Anushka, would it be okay if Dakota came to her place with me to meet her son? I promise I will guard her with my life." She looks concerned until Dakota walks in front of her with her little eyebrows raised.
"Please, Mommy, let me go. Don't you want me to have more friends?" She asks in a voice that sounds like she's daring someone to argue with her.
"What about us? Aren't we your friends?" Kozar asks her. Dakota shakes her head.
"No, you're my uncle, and I need kid friends who don't play with guns." All of her uncles and grandfather look away. I can't help laughing. This girl is going to be something else when she grows up.
"Okay, you can go. Be good for Gavin," Anushka says. Dakota puts her hands on her hips.
"When am I not good?" Her uncles all start laughing.
"Please take her away before I get scolded some more," Anushka says with a smile. Dakota laughs and raises her arms, so I'll pick her up. Sometimes, she still acts like a little girl.
"Is Dina nice?" Dakota asks as the elevator opens on the second floor, and I put her down to take her hand.
"Yes, she's really nice. If you want to leave, just let me know, and we can go back upstairs." I tell her as I knock. Dakota tilts her head to the side and looks up at me. I swear, sometimes she can see right through people with how she looks at them. When the door opens, Dina is there smiling.
"Dakota, this is Dina." I introduce. Dina holds her hand out, and Dakota shakes it while staring at her.
"I'm so glad you could come down to meet Noah," Dina says. Dakota nods and smiles.
"I like you. You have nice eyes, not mean ones." She replies. Dina looks from Dakota to me with her mouth open.
"I see what you mean. Please come in." She opens the door, and her apartment is small but comfortable. Kids' toys are everywhere, and a little boy with dark brown hair is sitting in the middle of the floor looking at a book.
"Noah, this is Dakota and Gavin. Remember, I said we were going to have visitors?" Dina asks him gently. He doesn't do more than glance at us before looking back at his book. Dakota walks over and sits next to him when he begins rocking back and forth slightly.
"I like to read too. This is one of my favorite books. I love the dragons." She says softly, pointing to the page he's looking at. Noah turns to look at her, and she smiles.
"Dak, Dak." He says, trying to say her name.
"You can call me Dak. I like that." Dakota pats his hand, and he grips hers tightly as he stops rocking. I hear Dina gasp and look to see tears running down her cheeks.
"He has never responded to someone so quickly. He doesn't usually like to be touched by people. She calmed him instantly." I look back over, and they're silently looking at the book together, still holding hands. I always knew that girl was special.
______________
Dina's P.O.V.
"What's Noah's favorite food?" Gavin asks. I can't take my eyes off Dakota and Noah. I had been nervous about letting them come. I even sent the caregiver away so the place wouldn't seem too crowded for Noah. He doesn't like a lot of people around. However, within minutes, Dakota had him holding her hand and trying to say her name. I think I love her already.
"Noah likes pizza, but only with cheese," I answer Gavin. I'm so glad I decided to go to the store today. I thought Gavin was amazing and so sweet. Now that Dakota is here, I'm speechless.
"What place do you usually order from?" Gavin asks. I point to the menu on the counter.
After he's done ordering, Gavin puts his hand on my shoulder. When he hugged me in the store, I couldn't stop myself from crying. It's just been Noah and me for so long. It felt good talking to someone about everything. I didn't want to let him go. I expected him to run away when he heard I was a single mom, but he didn't. Instead, he insisted we come here for lunch so I could be with Noah. I put my hand over his on my shoulder. He's so handsome with his dark chocolate complexion and dark eyes. I saw him at the store and really wanted to talk to him. I never expected it to lead to us shopping together and having lunch. Could this be the start of something?
Thirty minutes later, the pizza arrives. I set everything up at the table and prepare Noah's spot the way he likes it. I expect him to throw a fit, but I shouldn't have worried. Dakota takes care of everything. She stands up and holds her hand out to him.
"Will you eat lunch with me?" she asks. He stands and takes her hand. I watch in disbelief as she leads him to the table. Without me telling her, she knows which seat is his. Noah doesn't take his eyes off her. Dakota sits next to him, and I shake my head.
"You are so good with him," I tell her as Gavin and I sit down. She smiles, and her little blue eyes shine.
"I like other kids, and Noah is nice. I have a question." She touches his hand, and he slows his rocking down again. Is she some sort of magic child?
"What’s your question?" I ask her as I put a pizza slice on her and Noah's plates.
"Is Gavin going to be Noah's daddy?" I don't know what to say or where to look, but I can feel all three sets of eyes on me. Why, now of all times, does Noah have to pay attention?