What the fuck?
The man was hitting on Granny Anna just yesterday.
Now he wants Tay too.
Over my dead body.
Which, judging by the single ladies stepping into the pool – all coy smiles and swaying hips – might be sooner than I think.
Taylor
‘So what do you think?’
Sterling leans towards me, all expectant, and I hate to admit my head is still poolside, cooing over Axel with the kids.
Thatlaugh.
I’ve never, not once, heard him chuckle like that. So easy. So free.
And the way he slipped into Uncle of the Year material – hell,Fatherof the Year material. My ovaries are still giddy, pushing for more.
And that’s the worrying thing.
This isn’t just chemistry and sex muddying the baby deal any more.
Coupled with the memory of him with Lottie last night, this new side of Axel is shattering the image I had of him – the playboy, the loner – and piecing him back together all wrong… or right, depending on which part of my anatomy I listen to.
Because when I see him like this – laughing, joking, at ease with the kids – I can’t help wondering if maybe… maybe I want more than I planned for.
Not just a child, but a partner too.
Someone to share it all with.
And not just someone.
Him.
‘Taylor?’
I blink, my panicked heart taking a wild leap, or three, as I force my attention on Sterling, when everything else about me wants to run for the hills.
Or climb the man mountain with the kids.
‘Sorry, James.’
Sterling’s mouth twitches at the corner. ‘Having you call me by name feels like a bad sign.’
I give an awkward laugh. ‘Not at all. But I’m not sure how I can help. Theo’s the kind of man who takes his own counsel.’
‘I’m sure he is, but a good word from you goes a long way. I know he listens to you, respects you…’
‘Not when it comes to his mother’s dating preferences.’
He runs a finger through the collar of his polo, the faintest blush creeping into his cheeks. Sterling? Blushing?
‘You know,’ I say, studying him, ‘you’ve never struck me as the type who loses sleep over someone else’s approval.’
‘Normally, I don’t.’ He smiles faintly, sunlight glinting off his aviators as he turns towards the pool deck. Anna sits with Sadie and the mums, laughing, and his whole posture shifts, shoulders easing as he breathes her in. ‘But this is different.’
