“You’ll send me photos throughout the day?” He smiles at me as he’s on his way to the front door.
“Always,” I promise.
He pauses for a second the way he or I do on a daily basis. I’m sure we both want to say something that has no relation to our daughter, but we always stop ourselves. We just let our eyes linger instead.
“Isla, uh…”
A closed-mouth smile hits me. “I know,” I acknowledge, but I really don’t. It’s just a confirmation that we’re both in the same state.
For now, that just has to work.
* * *
Hadley handsme a decaf coffee and a croissant as we get comfortable on the bench by the gazebo in the park, with the lake nearby. Nora is sleeping in her stroller. Getting fresh air is important for me, especially with the great summer weather we’ve been having.
“Sleep tight. I’m your auntie who will be your godmother and be the one you can turn to when your mom goes strict during the teenage years. I’ll fill you up with sugar when you’re going through the terrible twos and be the best friend your mom deserves,” Hadley coos and jokes.
I hold up my coffee. “Funny. Thanks for the croissant, I’m always hungry these days. Nobody warned me how feeding a pint-sized human makes you starving. I think it’s worse than labor. I just want to eat and eat,” I complain.
“At least you have an excuse. Don’t you burn extra calories or something?”
My head tips slightly to the side. “Good point. But I’m jealous of your caffeine-infused drink.”
She slides next to me to nudge my shoulder. “One day you’ll taste it again. Speaking of tasting…” Her tone changes, and she gives me playful look. “Vaughn.” Her eyes nearly pop out.
I just roll my own. “It’s nothing. We’re so occupied and running on adrenaline still.”
“I can see that. Just… won’t that wear off at some point?”
I snicker a sound. “I think we both realize that.”
“How are you around one another?”
My face squinches, as I know one of her signature squeals is about to hit me. “So the thing is, we’re sharing a bed. Don’t get excited, we have Nora between us, and her parents are grasping for straws when it comes to sleep. Except… before I went into labor, we kind of did something stupid.”
“No way!” Now Hadley is fueled by the latest gossip of my life.
“Simmer down, child. It happens. I’m fairly convinced it set off my labor too.” I’m only half-joking, but it’s a better story.
“Are you kidding me? Don’t you two ever lock it up? Every time you see one another you just go at it.”
I glance blankly to my side to face her. “Attraction is attraction, but we haven’t once mentioned that night since.”
Hadley brings a finger to her chin. “One day it will come up, and then what?”
“I don’t know. Our priority is this little princess right here. I’m also in this cloud of happiness where everything is lullabies and cute little outfits. A clear mind doesn’t exist for me right now. Maybe I’m also waiting to see what the impact will be once Vaughn starts traveling with the team.” I slouch because the thought isn’t exactly uplifting.
She affectionately touches my shoulder. “Do you still worry that he might bail on you?”
I shrug and don’t dare say the word yes.
“I really don’t think he will,” she encourages. “He’s totally in love with Nora.”
My lips quirk out. “See? With Nora. When it comes to me, then it’s still confusing for both of us.”
“Maybe time is what you need. But maybe you should also plant some seeds in his head of what you’re thinking. Men do great when we give hints.”
I yawn from tiredness while I take in her advice. “You’re probably right, but that’s not going to happen today. His brother is stopping by, and I want to give Nora a bath tonight, plus catch up on laundry.”
