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1.
“Here, daddy, let me take that.” Eddie smiled wide as his hand brushed Steve’s as he held the strap.
Steve’s eyes went wide at the use of the word. He took a deep breath in and tried not to think about the attractive man using that word toward him. He shoved down that softness that bubbled inside of him and tried to respond. “Oh, no it’s-”
Eddie took hold of the strap and hiked the little pink backpack up on his shoulder. “It’s okay, I’m just trying to help.”
Steve felt like his brain was short circuiting as he stared at the man. He wanted to tell the obnoxiously beautiful man to back off. To stomp his foot and protest. Steve Henderson didn’t need help. He could handle his daughter, and his job and his life all on his own. But as he parted his lips to protest, Eddie turned to Tabbi, still holding onto the car door like Dustin had taught her.
“Well Tabbi Cat, we’re about to cross the parking lot, what do we do first?”
“Hold hands!” She beamed up at him with a wide grin.
“That’s right, take your daddy’s hand.”
Steve snapped back into reality and went through the motions of walking up to her, flanking her left in order to keep her between him and Mr. Eddie.
“Daddy, hand!” She made grabby hands at him. He swiftly took hold of her hand and look both ways before moving to cross, before he could get far, a hand tugged him back. Tabbi was refusing to leave the sidewalk to cross at the cross walk.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Steve asked as he stepped back up on the sidewalk, Eddie joined them as soon as he noticed they weren’t beside him.
“Hold hands.” she replied, a little angerly.
“Baby.” He chuckled. “I am holding your hand.”
“Mr. Eddie too.” She looked up at Eddie with her biggest doe eyes.
“Baby, you can’t insist-”
“If your daddy is okay with it, I’ll hold your hand too.” Eddie spoke softly.
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2.
Steve was in the middle of staring at the sink of unwashed dishes when a knock sounded through the apartment.
“Coming!” He all but shouted in surprise.
He wasn’t expecting to see the bright smile that shined on the other side of the door, holding his daughter’s backpack.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry- I totally forgot-” Steve flushed with embarrassment.
Eddie shrugged; his expression didn’t dim. “No problem. I was kind of in the neighborhood.” Eddie gestured to his apartment next door before holding the bag out to him.
“You’re so awesome, thank you.” Steve smiled softly as he reached out, his hand unintentionally brushing Eddie’s as he took the strap and pulled the bag to his side.
Eddie nodded. “If you ever need anything, I’m right next door.”
Steve nodded. “Thank you, have a good night.”
“Goodnight Stevie.” Eddie said sweetly before walking away.
Steve closed and locked the door quickly, before leaning back against it and sighing. “Get a grip. You’re not what he thinks you are.” Steve growled to himself before letting his head thunk back against the harsh metal of the door.
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