“Showing up where?” Callie interrupts, and I turn my head toward her.
She’s clearly interested in our conversation. Maren is no longer beside her. I find her talking to a woman with a stroller farther down on the sidewalk. I assume it must be her nanny.
“On the mound, silly. I was giving Foster some unsolicited advice.”
Callie shoots me an apologetic look.
I’m a little scared at how well Lex saw through me. Does one fuck-up see through another?
“Here she is,” Maren says, holding Breelyn.
Callie turns and coos with excitement. “Oh, she’s adorable.”
“Want to hold her?” Maren holds her daughter out to Callie.
“Sure.” She takes Breelyn and cradles her on her hip, smiling at her.
Fuck, I love the thought of Callie holding our own child. That visual is a life I never thought I’d want. Hell, one I never thought I’d get.
“Hi, sweet thing.” Callie bounces Breelyn a little on her hip, walking around and looking like a complete natural.
“What about you, Foster?” Maren sets her gaze on me. She turns to Callie. “He always declines.”
“Last time I saw her, she couldn’t even hold her head up. I’m not going to be responsible for it falling off.”
The women all laugh. Breelyn whines a little, and Maren runs her hand down her daughter’s fuzzy blonde hair. “You’re okay. Callie’s good people.”
“I think she wants her mom.” Callie leans toward Maren.
Maren takes the baby back, but before she settles her in her arms, she holds Breelyn out to me. “You sure, Foster?”
I raise both hands. “I’m good.”
They all laugh again, and Maren tucks her daughter in her arms.
My gaze falls to Callie. She’s staring at Breelyn, but the hint of sadness in her eyes cuts me open for some reason.
“Well, I gotta go. Nice to meet you, Maren.” Lex raises her hand in a friendly wave.
“You too, Lex. I hope I’ll like all the angles.” Maren smiles, and I’m clearly missing an earlier conversation.
“Only your best sides.” Lex puts her hand on Callie’s arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow? For editing?”
“Oh, actually…” Callie glances at me. “I forgot I have something, so I’ll call you. And then the next day they have their game. Um… the day after that, okay?”
“I’ll forgive you if you get me a ticket to the game?” Lex looks at me.
“I can get you a set. I’ll leave them at will-call.”
Lex’s mouth falls open, and she glances at Callie. “Look how easy that was. She’s been holding out on me.”
“Well, in her defense—Hayes has an army to get tickets for while I have…” I trail off. How pathetic is it that I have to say no one.
“Thanks.” Lex seems to recognize that I need an out. I swear, she’s my new best friend. “Now I have to figure out who I want to impress with really good Colts tickets.” She eyes me, and I nod to confirm that they’ll be good tickets. “I don’t believe a word they say about you anymore.” She laughs and walks down the sidewalk.
“I have to go too.” Maren glances over her shoulder at her nanny standing down the sidewalk.
Callie thanks her again for doing the show. “I’ll be in touch.”
