“Why?”he asked, unbothered.Then he lifted a hand, palm open in a calming gesture.“Why don’t you eat your dinner first, and I’ll stop shocking you with my suggestions.”
He finished his sandwich, then crumpled up his wrapper and set it aside and turned Jayla around in his lap and settled cross-legged on the floor.“You eat.I’ll play with my daughter and get to know her a bit.Then we’ll talk.Deal?”
Jemma hesitated, then nodded and picked up her sandwich again.She sat on the couch, watching him out of the corner of her eye.
He held Jayla with a natural ease, supporting her neck, guiding her movements as she swatted at his tie and squealed with delight.He chuckled, adjusting her balance as she shifted her weight.He didn’t flinch when she grabbed a fistful of his collar—he just leaned into her exploration, patient and grounded.
She watched as he spoke to Jayla in that low, affectionate tone again, narrating her movements like she understood every word.
This wasn’t a man who hated children.
Jemma took another bite of her sandwich, chewing slowly as she watched him stroke Jayla’s hair, adjust her position, and laugh when she gurgled at him.His hands were large, but gentle.Protective.Familiar.
Had she misunderstood?
Hehadsaid once—long ago—that he wasn’t ready for kids.But maybe that didn’t mean he’d never wanted them.Maybe it meant he hadn’t trusted himself...back then.
Because right now, it looked like he didn’t just tolerate Jayla—headoredher.
Suddenly, her sandwich didn’t taste like anything.She wrapped up the rest and set it aside.
“Okay,” she said softly, brushing her fingers together.“I’m done.”
“You barely touched that cheesesteak,” Saif commented, his gaze flicking briefly over her figure, lingering just long enough to make her squirm.“You’re too thin, Jemma.”
“I amnot,” she shot back, folding her arms tightly.“And you still haven’t answered my question.”
“Which one?”He shifted Jayla in his lap, gently readjusting her as she gnawed contentedly on a colorful plastic teething ring.“Though I’d like to point out—you haven’t answeredmyquestion either.”
“Oh?”she echoed, arching an eyebrow.“Which one was that?”
The corners of his mouth twitched with amusement.“Why don’t you, Jasper, and Jayla move in with me?”he said smoothly.“My home has seven bedrooms.Plenty of space.It’s in a secure neighborhood, and Jayla would have twenty-four-hour protection while we’re away.”
A soft thump sounded from the bedroom wall.Saif didn’t miss a beat.
“Or when Jasper isn’t around,” he added, dryly.
A long silence followed, as if everyone were waiting for another thud.Apparently, even Jasper knew when to stay quiet.
Saif pressed on.“I have a full-time housekeeper.She cooks.She cleans.You wouldn’t have to walk a mile to the grocery store anymore.”
He paused, eyeing her curiously.“Actually, why aren’t you using the car I gave you?”
Jemma sighed.“Because it’s a roadster, Saif.There are three of us.Jayla doesn’t fit, and neither would the groceries.”
Another soft thump came from the wall, and Jemma glared at it like it had personally betrayed her.“Also,” she added sharply, “I don’t feel comfortable using a car registered in Overlock’s name for personal errands.”
Saif smirked and gave the wall a quick, amused glance.“Another reason to move in,” he said, raising his voice just slightly.“We’d all have moreprivacy.” He let the word hang in the air.“You could hold private conversations...without an audience.”
She could practicallyfeelJasper’s smug grin pressing through the drywall, but she chose to ignore it.
“And,” Saif continued, now back to stroking Jayla’s back, “Jasper needs a better school.He’s currently earning straight As, but he’s also skipping classes.”
No thump followed that statement—but a rustling shuffle suggested Jasper had just shifted in his bed.
“I’ve spoken with the admissions director at Monument,” Saif said.“The semester just started, so they’d accept him now.But he’ll have to catch up fast.It won’t be easy.”
“Yes!” Jasper burst out, practically launching himself out of his room.He stood at the end of the sofa, wide-eyed and vibrating with tension.“Jemma, I know I’m just your asshole little brother.Iknowhow hard you’ve worked to take care of me, and I love you for that, but—!”
