“Get out,” Hannah said. “I watch her stuff all the time. She’s great.”
“What’s her channel about?” Annie asked.
“It’s like healthy recipes, exercise videos, meal plans, and stuff like that,” Hannah said.
“Word of warning. Don’t try her cookies,” Alex said. “I’ve tasted them, and I’m not sure you three cookie monsters would approve.” All his sisters-in-law were cookie connoisseurs, and he was certain Julia’s low-sugar version wouldn’t hit like they were used to.
“Alex is right about that,” Hannah said. “Some of the baked goods miss the mark, but the other stuff’s good.”
“In fairness, how do you make a cookie taste good without sugar?” Annie said. Maggie nodded in agreement.
“Isn’t she single?” Hannah asked Alex. “I thought I caught that in one of her videos.”
“Yeah,” Alex said. “A widow actually.”
“So young? That’s terrible. You thought about, maybe—” his mother said.
Alex held up a hand. “And she has a kid.”
“Oh,” all the women said at once, knowing he’d sworn off women with children after his last debacle dating Amber. He grabbed a beer and went to find the men.
His brothers were in the front room watching football and a baby. His mother had gone completely insane after becoming a grandma. The once magazine-ready living room looked like a toy store bomb had exploded. Toys, books, a playpen, a baby swing, a poofy C-shaped pillow, and a hundred other gadgets Alex didn’t know anything about covered the antique Persian rug. Some of it appeared to be things the baby wouldn’t be able to use for months. Mitch sat on the floor with the little one sitting between his legs. Lucille was seven months old, and Mitch showed her off like an Olympic gold medal.
“So, how’s dad life? What new tricks can the mini princess do now?” Alex asked Mitch. Every time they got together, it seemed like Lucy had passed another milestone.
“She’s almost ready to crawl,” Mitch said. “Watch this.” He placed Lucy on all fours, but she promptly rolled over and kicked her chubby little legs in the air.
“She just doesn’t want to show off.” Mitch laughed. “Maybe later. And dad life is amazing. I can’t even put it into words.”
“Oh, brother,” Johnny said. “Here we go.”
“Shut up,” Mitch said. “I’m serious. Kids are cool. We took Lucille to pick out her first Christmas tree last week. Didn’t we, Lucy?” The last part was an octave higher than his normal voice and directed at Lucy, who cooed in response.
“You realize she’s way too young to understand what a Christmas tree is?” Johnny said. “Even I know that.”
“Yes, I do know. But she’ll be able to look at the pictures when she’s older. And it’s important for babies to have lots of different experiences.”
“Dude, you are so whipped,” Jake said. “That one has you wrapped around her finger.”
“I can’t deny that,” Mitch said, bouncing the little girl on his knee.
Alex still hadn’t gotten used to seeing his brother with a baby. And his other brothers married with more babies on the way. Less than two years ago, they got together to play poker, drink beer, and brag about casual sex.
“Here,” Mitch said, standing and plopping Lucy onto Alex’s lap. “Hold her a second. I’m gonna check on Maggie.”
“Wha—” Alex protested.
He held Lucy with both hands at the end of his knee and bounced his leg like he’d seen Mitch do. She looked at Alex and giggled. The happy, innocent look in her eyes made Alex smile in return. He understood why Mitch was so smitten.
“She’s not a bomb,” Jake said, laughing.
“No shit,” Alex said defensively. “I’ve held her before, you know? Lots of times.”
He’d first held her on the day she was born, and every time he’d hung out with Mitch and Maggie since. And while that was true, every time he saw her, she’d grown and changed and could do more stuff.
“Why do you think Mitch gave her to me?” Alex said, hoisting the baby up above his head. “I’m her favorite uncle. Aren’t I, Lucy?”
Lucy cooed and dribbled spit as Alex lowered her to his lap.
