“Don’t insult us,” Jade says with authority I imagine only the club president’s wife could carry. “You know better, Hawk. We’re all family.”
“You’re right. Either way, I appreciate everything all of you have done for me and my daughter.”
“Your daughter.” She smiles at that. “It has a nice ring to it. You’ll be a great dad, Hawk.” She starts to leave before stopping. “Hey, we don’t mind helping with Wren whenever you need, especially as you get settled. We’re just a phone call away, okay?”
I hate that there’s a small part of me that wants to take her up on her offer right here and right now. I know Wren would have a great time with the wives at the club fussing over her, but… “I don’t believe I can be any more prepared than I am.”
“Alright then, good luck.” She heads toward the door. “If your little girl is a fussy one, try some kind of classical music, it’s like magic. Puts them right to sleep.”
She waves and with that final piece of advice, walks out, flanked by the other wives, leaving Wren and me. Alone.
Time to figure this parenting thing out.
I look down at my daughter’s innocent little face, knowing my life will never be the same.
“I guess it’s just me and you, princess.”
Chapter Three
Amelia
Is he avoiding me?
I stop short of opening my door and glance at my neighbor’s. I haven’t run into him once in almost a week. Well, it’s only been four days, but to me it feels like forever and now he has me overthinking.
I thought maybe he was away for a work trip or something but then I heard noises coming from his place, including what sounded like a crying baby. But that can’t be right, since Hawk doesn’t have kids. Maybe he got a new pet or something.
If I were someone braver, I would march to his door and demand to know why he’s started to speed-walk past my door and avoid me, but I’m not brave. Even I don’t believe I have it in me to look into that handsome face and form a coherent sentence.
Shit, this is messing with my head.
Between this and the upcoming audition, I feel like I’m being driven up the wall. Not to mention the fact that mean girl Darla seems to have upped her hatred for me. If her goalis to discourage me from taking part in the audition, then she’s almost there.
With a sigh, I unlock my door and let myself in, lowering my violin case to the floor along with my bag. I’m stripping as I make my way to the bathroom, leaving clothes where they fall. I’ll pick them up…whenever.
As much as my tired muscles beg for a bath, I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep in the tub and accidentally drown myself, so I settle for a shower. The hot water is a reprieve for my tired bones. The concert tonight went on forever, not to mention how tirelessly I’ve been preparing for the upcoming audition. Thankfully, I have the entire weekend off and can rest before Monday rehearsals.
I’m already nodding off as I finish getting ready for bed, and I manage to shrug on an old T-shirt and some shorts before sliding under the covers. I close my eyes and feel myself start to fall when a sudden noise startles me awake.
“Go away,” I murmur into the pillow as my eyes flutter closed. I imagine whoever’s at the door has left when the knock comes again, louder and more insistent this time. I turn my head and bury my face in my pillow before letting out a scream.
The knock comes again and…there’s that sound again! Is that a baby? Crying?
I sit up quickly, brushing my hair from my face as I focus on the noise, listening closely, and…I was right after all. The shrill, unmistakable sound of a baby’s cry.
I don’t remember anyone being pregnant in our building, and Hawk and I are the only tenants on this floor. Confused, I rub at my eyes and decide I might as well go see what the ruckus is all about.
Concerned, I walk to my front door and pull it open, and for an entire thirty seconds, I’m struck mute, as I often am in the presence of my neighbor. Except, this time…he’s shirtless.
He’s shirtless! Every inch of Hawk’s torso is naked for me to see. Tan, defined muscles are gleaming with sweat and Christ, there isn’t a shred of fat on the man’s body. My eyes drop from those tatted pecs to his abs, which look like they’ve been carved by the gods, rippling against that smooth skin I want so desperately to touch.
Suddenly, I’m wide awake.
All of me.
“Amelia, I’m so sorry to wake you up,” he says in his deep voice, and I bite hard on my lip to stop myself from saying that I don’t mind a bit and that perhaps he should consider waking me every night if this is how he does it. Shirtless and in gray sweatpants that dip low enough to reveal a very defined V-line. “I need your help.”
“My…” The word squeaks out, so I quickly clear my throat. “You need my help?”
