I almost feel as if I’m intruding. But my panties are laying in the middle of the floor near the couch. I have to go out there.
I take a breath and step further into the living room. “Are you okay?” I ask softly.
He looks up. He gives me a smile that makes my stomach flip.
“Very okay,” he answers. He looks back down at the little girl, who is nowofficiallyhis daughter.
“I can’t believe there was a time when I didn’t want her.”
My heart squeezes. “That’s a natural reaction. It was a surprise, Grayson. It’s not like she was planned.”
“I know. And I haven’t had her for very long. But now I can’t imagine not having her. And it hit me when my mom brought her back and I saw her for the first time, knowing for sure she’s mine. I don’t know what I would’ve done if she wasn’t.”
I stop and pick up my panties, pulling them on before facing him. He gives me a little smirk and says, “I wish I could tell you to should just leave those off.”
I just shake my head, then move to sit next to him on the couch. “Well, now you don’t have to worry about if she’s not yours. It’s official. And congratulations.” I reach over and squeeze his hand. “You’re a good dad, Grayson.”
Something flickers in his gaze, but he simply says, “If you get points for trying, then I guess I’m doing all right.”
I smile. “You always get points for trying.”
His gaze drops to my mouth. “This afternoon was amazing,” he tells me.
He’s already told me this. Repeatedly.
“I agree,” I tell him. Also again. “And I hope it’s the first of many afternoons like that.”
“It is,” he says simply.
And Grayson Ross does often get his way, so I have no reason not to believe him.
Evelyn squirms a little and her face wrinkles. My stomach growls at the same time.
Her eyes pop open, and she looks up at Grayson. Her brow furrows, as if whatever woke her up is still irritating her, but then she registers who is holding her and her little mouth curls into a grin.
God, these two are adorable.
“Hey, sweet girl,” Grayson greets her. “You had a big day at the zoo.”
“Did she come home asleep?” I ask.
“Fell asleep in the car, I guess. Didn’t stir when they brought her in.”
At the sound of my voice, Evelyn looks over at me. Then she gives me a big smile and my heart swells. “Hey, Evie.”
She reaches a chubby hand out toward me, and I give her my finger. She wraps her hand around it and squeezes, clearly not intending to let me go.
“Thank you for being so good to her,” he says.
“She’s hard not to love.” It’s true. This little girl has stolen my whole heart.
My stomach growls again and Grayson chuckles.
“Why don’t I make both of you something to eat? I have some leftover Primavera pasta. How does that sound?”
I smile at Evie. “I don’t know about you, but that sounds amazing to me.” I meet his gaze. “And since you definitely helped me work up this appetite, it’s only fair you feed me.”
I love the sexy grin that spreads across his face. He shifts Evelyn toward me and I hold out my arms. She comes to me easily and I’m surprised to feel the sting of tears at the back of my eyes.
