Kennedy took Quincy’s free hand and said, “I think Miss Woni needs ice cweam to cheer her up.”

“That’s a great idea, jelly bean.” Quincy looked at Lincoln, perched in his thick arms, and said, “What do you think, buddy? Do you want ice cream?”

Lincoln’s head bobbed excitedly. “Iwikeiceceam!”

Quincy nuzzled against his cheek, earning sweet little-boy giggles. “I think you have a career as an auctioneer ahead of you, monkey boy.”

They walked down to Luscious Licks, and when Quincy reached for the door, Lincoln said, “Down!” and wriggled free. He and Kennedy ran inside.

Quincy pulled Roni in for a quick kiss as they followed them inside. “Did you really like the movie?”

“Yes, very much. But I liked hearing what you told Kennedy even more.”

“I want to do all those things with you, babe. I don’t have a lot of money, but I’m going to do my damnedest to make sure you never miss out on anything ever again.”

“Look who it is,” Penny said with a wink at Roni and Quincy as she came around the counter and hoisted Lincoln into her arms. “Two of my favorite tiny humans.”

Kennedy jumped up and down and said, “We’re on a date! We saw Toy Story!”

“How fun! Tell me all about it,” Penny urged. “Is that the one about Shrek?”

“No, silly,” Kennedy said. “It’s about Andy and Woody and Buzz Lightyear…”

As Kennedy went on about the movie, and Lincoln bounced in Penny’s arms babbling at record speed, Quincy took off the kids’ jackets and Lincoln’s hat and set them on a chair. He ran his hand over Lincoln’s staticky hair, and Lincoln flashed a toothy grin, reaching for Quincy with grabby hands. Quincy took him from Penny, and Penny crouched to give Kennedy her full attention as she told her about the movie. Lincoln beat the top of Quincy’s head like a drum, and Quincy tickled his belly, making him squeal with delight.

Roni could watch them together all day long. “You’re so good with him,” she said as she put her jacket with the others.

“Thanks, beautiful,” Quincy said with a sexy grin.

Lincoln threw himself in Roni’s direction, arms outstretched, and said, “WantBooful.”

Roni warmed all over.

“Did he just say…?” Quincy’s brows slanted. “That’s my girl, buddy.”

“There’s enough of me to go around,” Roni said, taking Lincoln and settling him on her hip. He wrapped his arms around her neck, grinning like he’d won a prize.

“Guess I can’t fault the boy for knowing a hot babe when he sees one,” Quincy said as he took off his jacket, looking handsome and delicious in a gray Henley.

“I wanna be a hot babe like Miss Woni,” Kennedy chimed in.

Quincy scowled, and Roni and Penny exchanged an amused glance.

Roni tried not to laugh at the quandary in Quincy’s expression and offered Kennedy her hand. “How about we check out the ice cream?”

Penny patted Quincy on the back and said, “Breathe, Uncle Q. She’s only five.”