I lean into her. “Yeah, I’m okay… It’s going to be okay.” My voice is filled with a mix of relief and uncertainty.
“Hell, yes, it is. I mean, just look at her. She’s adorable. Plus…” she says, leaning in close to my ear. Her voice filled with warmth and reassurance. “You’d make a wonderful dad.”
I peer down at the bundle in my arms. She’s wide awake, her eyes locked onto my face.
Do I want to be a father? Now that the chance is here, do I want to take it? Maybe someday. Right now? No. I need the chance to open the bakery and follow my own dreams. Otherwise, I think I’ll always regret it.
“I don’t think I’m ready to be a dad. I know there’s someone out there who will be an amazing dad to her, but I don’t think that’s me. Someoneneeded to take care of her until they could find a place… I can at least do that.”
Jasper sits down next to Dom on the couch, his half-crooked smile matching his wayward hair.
I can’t help but think of Jasper when I look at Mazie, knowing he grew up in the system and that’s where she could end up. He doesn’t talk about it, but my gut tells me it wasn’t good.
Something good must have happened along the way, though. Look at where he is. He’s really fucking talented, has a steady job, a nice place to live, and is surrounded by good friends. Well, at least the ones here. Even if there’s a lot of anger bubbling under the surface.
When I stayed with him after his concussion, I remember sitting on the couch and watching him paint. I had never seen so much hurt and pain in someone’s eyes flow through to their fingertips.
Things shifted between us that night. I don’t know if by me forcing my way in, he stopped pushing back? But even when we argue now, there’s an unspoken understanding of our concern for one another. The usually harsh blow of our words softened a bit.
I look down at Maize in my arms, her eyes not yet filled with pain.
Spencer clears his throat sheepishly. “Can I feed her?” he asks, now standing next to me.
“Yeah, sure.”
Spencer takes Mazie and the bottle before sitting down on one of the oversized chairs. Finn moves to rest on the arm. They look at each other and I swear I see tears in their eyes.
“Okay… What’s going on with you two?” I finally ask.
Finn nods his head, and Spencer turns to the group. The smile on his face beams.
“We submitted our paperwork to adopt, and we just got notice last week that we’ve been approved.” He looks down at Mazie. “We’ve just been waiting for a child who’s in need of a home.”
“Wait, really? Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
“Yep.” Finn kisses the top of Spencer’s head. “It seems that Mother Universe had plans for us.”
“We didn’t want to get our hopes up, you know? It could very well never happen for us, but do you think…” Spencer wipes away a few stray tears. “Maybe Mazie could end up with us?”
Hope blooms in my chest at the mere thought. That would be perfect. I know Spencer and Finn would give her the best life and love her the way every child deserves.
“I’ll call Ms. Wilson first thing Monday morning. I can’t believe this timing. How does this happen?”
“Right? It’s like one of those bad romance novels where everything always falls into place and there’s no angst,” Spencer says.
I look over at a now sleeping Mazie. “Naw, those are just as important. Sometimes our hearts need the reminder that good things happen and love doesn’t need to be a tragedy.”
“Unless you’re in the mood to have your heart ripped out and put back together. I have a few recommendations,” Jules pipes in and we all nod our heads in agreement.
We finally sit down to eat, and when we’re done, I sit back, listening to the conversations littered with laughter, my stomach feeling so full from the first solid meal I’ve had in two days. Soft, warm lights hang from theceiling, casting a gentle glow accentuating the café’s charm and intimate atmosphere.
I hold Mazie in my arms as she peacefully sleeps among the ruckus. Alex sits down next to me, and I startle. “How are you doing?”
I blow out a breath. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just tired.”
“Mmhmm,” he muses, following my line of sight. “Is that the same reason you and Jasper have been avoiding each other like the plague all night?”
“We are not avoiding each other. We talked earlier.” I don’t mention it probably has something to do with the kiss we’ve been ignoring.
