“Get your big-ass head out of her face, Hunt. You get to see her all night.”
“That doesn’t mean you get all the quality time right now.”
I step forward and reach for Lyla, who’s fussing tugs at my insides like the last dissolvable stitch in a healing wound. “How about you two have your own baby and stop fighting over mine?” Cradling her in my arms, I sway my hips in a figure eight, hoping to settle her before the wailing starts again.
“Sounds good to me.” Hunter’s eyebrows dance suggestively at Ashlie, who rolls her eyes back at him.
“Don’t get him started, Wills. Do you know how many times a day he tells me Lyla needs a cousin?”
“Five?” Trevor offers from across the room, squatting low to reach behind the entertainment center.
“Today it was seven,” she says.
“That’s it? I need to up my game then.” Hunter flashes her a grin and sneaks in a kiss.
“Whatever.” Ashlie uses Hunter’s thigh to help her stand from the couch. “You ready, Wills? I’m not trying to keep you out too late. I know how much of a lightweight you are.” She shimmies her shoulders as she backs up toward the door.
“What exactly are you getting her into, Ash?” Trevor asks.
I shake my head at him, switching to bouncing Lyla once the swaying proves ineffective. “It’s just dress shopping and dinner. I don’t know what her little happy dance is for.”
“Oh, that’s just a thing she does whenever she knows I’m right about us having a bab?—”
“Ugh! Hunter!” Ashlie shoots him a glare, but the smile on his face grows.
Trevor slips the baby out of my arms, hands her to Hunter, and wraps his arm around me. She wails immediately, and I try to wiggle free. “Maybe I should stay. Lyla’s been fussy like this all day and?—”
“Nope.” Trevor pulls me into his chest. “You deserve a break, Gem. She’ll be fine.” He tips his forehead down to mine with a smile. “Have fun, and good luck dress shopping.” His kiss lingers on my lips, and as much as I say I’m not ready to be intimate with him, the tingling between my thighs reminds me it’s a bold-faced lie. I am ready. I’m just scared.
“Okay,Dad. You gonna give her a curfew, too?” Ashlie mocks. We ignore the sass being thrown at us from the open door and lean in for another embrace.
“Damn, Lyla, you might have a sibling before we get you a cousin,” Hunter says.
Pulling away, I scowl at Hunter. Mostly because he’s cussing in front of my child, but also because I know—with absolute surety—I won’t be having any more babies. I love Lyla more than anything, but I have zero interest in repeating any of this. One and done.And another reason I’m scared.
“Willa, comeonnnn. We have to find you a gala dress before your social meter runs out.”
“Okay, okay. Keep your pants on,” I say to Ashlie before turning back to Trevor. “Don’t you spoil her by letting her sleep on your chest.” I poke him right in the spot I’m talking about. “She sleeps in the crib tonight, Tre.”
“But what if she does the lip wobble thing?” He puffs out his lower lip, making a near identical face to Lyla’s.
“She can barely lift her head.You’rethe boss.”
“Mmm, nah, I’m pretty sure she is. She’s even got Hunter whipped into shape.” He tips his head over to the couch, where Hunter’s making her laugh with another animated look on his usually schooled expression.It really is adorable.
“Willa!”
“I’m this close to staying home, Ash, I swear…”
“Nuh-uh. Nope. You’re going.” Trevor presses a peck to my lips and turns me toward the door. “I love you. Have fun. Relax.”
“We will!” Ashlie cheers loudly, arm shooting into the air as if she’s still on the cheer squad.
“Not likely.” I scrunch my nose, and she bumps my hip before yanking me out the door.
“So, how’s it going, really?”Ashlie asks, thumbing through the circular rack at Dress Designs Depot.
“Good. Really good.”
