Parker’s face flushed red, any hint of hope extinguished and replaced with immediate regret, which was actually nice to see, if I was honest. “I thought it was calming… You know, like a soothing color that wouldn’t overwhelm…ugh…”
Oh. He really tried, didn’t he? What a dummy. He’s so…
I sighed, noting the warmth behind my ribs. Parker had tried to make something nice for the baby. Sure, he got it wrong, but I had to admit that the action spoke to him caring more than he let on. This was a step in the right direction, even if it was a tiny, baby step that landed us squarely in mausoleum territory.
Shaking my head, I padded over to him, resting a hand gently on his chest as I smiled up at him. “Itiscalming… It’s also a little soulless. Pastel colors are calming. Gray is… But thank you…for trying to do something nice for the baby.”
Parker’s eyes widened, as if he didn’t think I’d ever say thank you to him, and indeed, I had surprised myself with that one. He studied me for a moment, then his shoulders sagged and he nodded. “Interior design is different for a child’s room, I suppose.”
“Fuck, yes, it is. God, dude.” Avery shook his head, slapping a hand down on Parker’s shoulder. “We can repaint, though, yeah?”
Parker looked nervous, turning to me like he needed permission, so I gave him a nod, and he pulled out his phone. “I’ll call the designer.”
“We’ll do it ourselves. No designers.” I laid my hand on Parker’s wrist, stopping him from immediately messaging the person he’d gotten to do this space to begin with. “A nursery needs to be put together with love, not efficiency. We don’t necessarily need to change everything. Art on the walls, cute pillows and curtains—it all makes a huge difference to bring a nursery to life.”
“Would you…help me choose some more appropriate things?” Parker’s brow furrowed as he looked to me for acceptance.
“All right.” I couldn’t help but smile, nodding back at him. “Nursery, take two.”
That evening, Parker spent hours on his laptop with me snacking next to him, looking up inspiration pictures for pastel nurseries, taking detailed notes, and making a million little lists. We didn’t talk much, except for him to get my approval, but it felt like an important first step.
Sometimes it really was the thought that counted.
Chapter 37
Clover
“Good morning!” A chirpy voice, followed by a weight crashing onto the nest next to me, startled me out of sleep.
I peeked out through the blankets to see bright red hair and striking green eyes. Not Parker, though she looked weirdly similar. “Uh, hi?”
“Are you cool with another omega in here?”
“I guess?” The nest was still warm around me, but I didn’t feel Logan. “Where?—”
“He’s getting you breakfast,” the unknown woman told me.
“Okay, but are you planning on telling me whoyouare at some point?”
“Oh shit, sorry. I’m Magnolia, but you can call me Maggie, and I would prefer that you do. I’m Parker’s sister.”
“And you’re in my nest because…?”
“Because he’s an idiot who didn’t want me to meet you, and I don’t take orders from him.”
I sat up slowly, making sure all my bits were covered with bedding. Rubbing sleep out of my eyes and finger combing my hair gave me a few seconds to process everything with my sleep-addled brain. “I didn’t know Parker had a sister.”
“You moved in with him and didn’t know anything about his family?” Maggie tilted her head, red hair tumbling over her shoulders.
“Parker and I aren’t on the best terms right this second.”
Maggie made herself comfortable, sitting cross-legged with an easy smile on her face. “What did he do? No one ever tells me anything. Should I let the air out of his tires?”
I couldn’t help smiling at that. Apparently Maggie and Parker had fallen from opposite sides of their family tree. “I think his car has taken enough abuse on my behalf, but I appreciate the offer.”
Logan waltzed in wearing only sweatpants and carrying a tray. He paused sharply when he saw Maggie, and she covered her eyes with her hand. “Hey, Mags. What are you doing in my mate’s bed?”
“Befriending.” She beamed.
