Since Diapers

Chap 19 (Being Cordial)

CJ's POV

I woke up the next morning to the smell of pancakes. I walked downstairs and Stella was doing dishes. "Stella, did you make all of this?" I asked.

"I did and I have your special morning oatmeal ready for you," Stella nodded.

"Okay, I'm going to get Eva up and ready," I pointed. The bell above Eva's door rang, alerting me that her door was opening. Eva came in and sat at a spot at the table. "You're already dressed and ready."

"Aunt Stella helped me," Eva nodded. "She didn't want to wake you because she wanted to surprise you."

"Well, she definitely did," I smiled. I looked at the time. "I have a very important meeting today that I cannot miss. So, you're going to spend some time with Aunt Stella, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy," Eva nodded.

"Good," I smiled. We ate breakfast. Once I got done, Stella started cleaning. "Girl, you don't have to clean. I'll get to it after my shower."

"No, I got this. You go take your shower," Stella nodded. "It'll be done by the time you get done."

"Okay," I sighed. I ran upstairs to get showered and ready. I got downstairs and Stella was pulling on a jacket. "So, I'm not sure if TK did, but please limit her screen time to an hour."

"Really?" Stella asked. "An hour? I thought it was 2."

"After a week of school, it'll be bumped to 2 hours on the weekday," I replied. "She'll have a little more time on the days I'm off, but if I'm working, it's 2 hours." I grabbed my bag. I walked up to Eva and gave her a hug and kiss. "Mommy will see you later, okay? I have to get this done."

"Call me when you get done," Stella nodded.

"Thanks," I smiled. I walked out and Jay pulled up in his truck. I got in and he staried driving. "I feel bad for lying about where I'm going."

"Well, we're just 2 friends hanging out," Jay replied. "If we tell people, they're going to think we're dating."

"We're strictly just friends," I nodded. We got to the hotel and walked into one of the offices. I closed the door and pulled out my laptop. "So, I am taking Eva to Austin for Thanksgiving week. As much as I want to take you, I can't. TK will make a big deal about it."

"Okay, even with the just friends angle, he still has an issue with me," Jay nodded. "So, what's your plan here?"

"I find a date," I stated.

"With who?"

"I can ask Dante."

"Not Dante," Jay replied.

"You got something against Dante?" I asked. I leaned my back against the wall. Jay put his right hand on the wall near my head, and used his left hand to make me look at him. "You do have something against Dante."

"I don't want to hear about him kissing you."

"Why would it bother you? We're not dating."

"I just don't want to hear it around the unit."

"Okay," I nodded. "I might just go solo. It'll be easier."

"He's not going to ask why you're by yourself?"

"He might, but I'll just be honest," I shrugged. I pushed past Jay. "He's gotta understand that I'm focused on other things."

"So, I wanted to ask why didn't you want to give us a chance when I asked you the week before you went to get Eva," Jay looked at me. "Is it something I did? Did I do something wrong? I just wanna be made aware."