“Uh-oh.” Piper grimaced. “I think Ash needs a change.”
“Did you make a stinky?” I asked my youngest niece.
She giggled.
“Yep. That means she totally did.” I took Ash from Piper. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
I went to my room and unlocked the door now that I’d downloaded the hotel app to my phone. Chris had given me his login info. How wild to think we were sharing app info like a regular couple.
You could’ve made a step in that direction had you not chickened out.
Probably so, but I also could breathe easier knowing I’d dodged the bullet of confession. Being vulnerable and taking a chance he felt the same way made me sweat. I unlocked the door, grabbed the diaper bag, and pulled out the mat to lay Ash down on. Before I could put her down, Chris knocked on the connecting door.
“Yes?” I called.
“You okay?”
I unlocked the bolt and opened the heavy door. “Yep. Came back because Ash obliterated her diaper.”
Chris grinned. “Better you than me.”
“Oh, do you want an opportunity to change her? I know it’s your favorite thing.”
He took a step back. “How about I grab the wipes and a clean diaper for you?”
“What, you’re not going to tell me how I need to use a towel and a cloth diaper?” I could barely contain my mirth at the chagrined expression on his face.
The first time Chris saw me using a disposable diaper, he’d gone on about how it was affecting our carbon footprint. There were words likewaste,pileup, and others I’d ignored. Instead, I’d held up the offensive material in front of him so he could get a good whiff of Ash’s healthy bowel movement.
He quickly changed his tune and was now the first one to throw soiled diapers in the trash.
A great convert.
Still, I was willing to compromise in some areas, just not diaper duty. No way I wanted to wash poo out in the sink, bathtub, or anywhere I would put my clean body.
“No.”
“Where are the guys?” I wrapped up Ash’s dirty diaper.
“They went to see if the ladies want dinner soon.” He held out a hand. “I’ll take it.”
“There’s a trash can on my side of the room.”
“But you’ll be so distracted by the kids you won’t take it out. Plus, it’s cold, and you don’t have a jacket on.”
True. “Thank you.” I handed him the offender. “What time is it that we’re talking about dinner already?”
“Six.” He set the diaper near the trash can, then leaned against the doorjamb. “I’m surprised Cheyenne hasn’t asked you about food yet.”
“She’s eating goldfish and getting pampered by Nevaeh. Her needs have already been met.”
Chris chuckled. “I love that kid.”
My heart warmed in my chest. “Chris, I...” Yikes. Now wasnotthe time to bare my soul. We were surrounded by his friends—yours too—and on vacation. Surely now wasn’t the time to get brave and confess how interested I was in a romantic relationship with him. I bit the inside of my cheek, indecision tugging at me like tweezers pulling on threaded stitches.
“Yeah?” Something shifted on his face, and he leaned closer, still miraculously leaning. But now leaning against the doorjamb and leaning forward. Was that like leaning squared? Because I’d watchedWhile You Were Sleepingmore times than I could count. Leaning equaled wanting according to the rules of Jack Callaghan.
