I inhaled sharply, only now realizing I hadn’t been breathing.
I looked at Vincent and then at her again.
“He laughed,” I said, holding up my phone. “I was doing dumb stuff and he laughed. A real laugh.”
Her face lit up, her dark eyes warm. “Really? Vincent, you’re laughing? Do it again,” she said to me. “I can’t believe I missed it.”
As much as I didn’t want to look away from her and miss a second of the excitement in her face, I kneeled and picked up Sophie the Giraffe, making her twerk as I rapped badly about the Very Hungry Caterpillar eating all the leaves off the tree.
It took a minute, but he did it again. It started with a tiny rumble but quickly turned into a full laugh.
Evie sat next to me, that towel hiding very little, and wiped a tear from her eye. “Oh my God. It’s amazing. He’s amazing. The baby book said three to four months.”
Filled with pride, I grinned at her. “Ahead of schedule. He’s a genius. Obviously.”
Nodding, she tickled his foot, causing him to kick and giggle. “We’re not supposed to say that out loud,” she chided me playfully.
“Yes, but it’s undeniable. He’s the smartest and most handsome baby ever.” I leaned down and blew a raspberry on his stomach. “You get all that from your mom. I take no credit. But I’m so proud of you, bud.”
Evie beamed at me, her attention making my stomach do backflips. I’d gotten them both to smile today, and that sent me soaring to a level of joy I’d never experienced before.
The sheer satisfaction of making my son laugh? Of making Evie look at me like I was some kind of hero? This was a type of high that couldn’t be replicated.
“I’m gonna get dressed,” she said, standing and awkwardly arranging her towel. “Then we need to get this on video.”
I used every ounce of self-control I had to keep my eyes on my son.
“Vincent,” she cooed. “Your dad is so silly.”
My heart expanded even further.Dad. The title made my think of my own dad and how much fun he’d be having right now. How he’d obsess about every milestone and take blurry photos with the phone camera he never bothered learning how to use properly.
This was why I was here. This was why I slept in a tent in the backyard. Because I couldn’t bear the idea of missing these moments with either of them.
Our origin story was not typical, but with every day that passed, that mattered less to me. Because like it or not, the three of us were a family.
I’d been blessed. I didn’t deserve Evie or Vincent, but someone out there was looking out for me. I looked out the window toward the blue sky and said a silent thank you to my mom and dad. They’d taught me to be patient and warned me against my impulsive nature. And now I finally understood. Some things were worth waiting for. Some things were worth hard work and sacrifice. And I hoped I could make them proud.
Chapter 12
Evie
Tonight, the full cast of characters from No Book Club met at the Drip Line, the only bar in town. Frankie had organized this gathering, urging us all to readThe Housemaid, even if there were no rules stating we had to. I hadn’t read it, but if I knew Frankie, it was heavy on murder and men behaving badly.
Dottie, who had owned the bar for years, was Frankie’s mom and had closed the place down so we could eat, drink, gossip, and blow off steam at the dart boards. Oh, and maybe talk a little about books.
Frankie was behind the bar, helping out. If the lore was to be believed, she had been pulling pints and kicking out drunks by the time she was in kindergarten. She loved her mom, who’d raised her and her siblings on her own, but referred to her childhood spent here as her villain origin story.
By Maplewood standards, the Drip Line was a dive. By any other measure, it was a charming tavern with wood-paneled walls and funky light fixtures. The kind of place with sloping wood floors, deep booths, and the tap list written on an artsy chalkboard sign that hadn’t been updated in two years.
The menu consisted of foods that were either deep-fried or involved maple syrup. Or both. And Vermont’s finest craft beers were served right alongside PBR.
Despite No Book Club nights being my favorites, I was out of sorts. Jasper had insisted I get out of the house and spend time with friends, so I’d furiously pumped for days and left him with a full page of information for caring for Vincent. And he was at my house, texting me constant updates.
Being here, I felt like I was missing a limb. I had not been separated from Vincent since he was born almost three months ago.
But I agreed with Jasper. Getting out for a bit would do me good. So I breathed deeply and headed toward the gathered group.
“She made it!” Ruby cheered from the long wooden table. Her husband Paul was seated next to her, his arm draped over her shoulders. They were so damn cute together.
