I followed the low murmur of voices down the hall and into the kitchen.
Griffin stood at the counter, with Isa cradled easily in one strong arm while he held her bottle with the other. He swayed back and forth like he’d done this a hundred times, rocking her gently and murmuring something soft when she made a little noise. There was no awkwardness. Just a natural competence that made my ovaries practically burst.
Glancing up when I stepped in, his blue eyes darkened as they dragged over me in a slow sweep that made me want to squirm in the very best way.
He went right back to feeding Isa like it was the most normal thing in the world. “She’s almost done with her bottle. Then I’ll make omelets.”
He made it sound so matter-of-fact. As though we’d already been doing this together for months instead of one chaotic day.
I leaned against the counter, watching him. “You got up with her all night.”
“She needed to eat.” He shrugged. “You needed sleep.”
The simplicity of his answer did more for me than any pretty words ever could. Yet again, he’d seen a need and stepped in to fill it without thinking twice or expecting credit.
Isa finished the bottle, and he nestled her against his broad shoulder to gently pat her back. Nodding toward the table, he murmured, “Sit. I’ll get her in the swing and bring you some coffee.”
I started to protest. “I can?—”
“Sit.”
I quirked a brow. “Are you always this bossy?”
“Only when I’m right.”
I probably should have been annoyed, but the banter was too enjoyable.
He settled Isa into a brand-new swing I was pretty sure hadn’t been there last night, then moved to the coffee maker. When he brought my mug over, our fingers brushed. Sparks shot straight up my arm, and I froze at the memory of what that hand had done to me this morning.
His phone buzzed on the counter, breaking the moment.
Griffin glanced at the screen, and his whole demeanor shifted. Subtly, but I caught it.
He answered, turning slightly away but staying in the room. “Yeah.”
I couldn’t hear what was said on the other end of the call before he asked, “Current location?”
After listening for a minute, he muttered, “What the fuck?”
There was another long pause before he asked, “When?”
A second later, he grunted, “Done.”
Then he ended the call and set the phone down, looking at Isa before his gaze came back to me.
“I need to step out for a bit later.”
I nodded, accepting it without pushing. Whatever they were talking about sounded important, but I wasn’t sure it was my place to ask what was going on.
He hesitated, like he was waiting for questions. When I stayed quiet, his brow furrowed.
“Our tech guy found solid proof,” he finally explained. “Video surveillance and credit card receipts. It was my brother with Rea. I’d already left town that weekend.”
I appreciated the information, but I was surprised to find that it didn’t change anything for me. “I don’t need the evidence, Griffin. I already believe you.”
Something tight in his shoulders eased. The relief in his blue gaze settled something inside me, too, easing the tension in the room as he made perfect omelets we ate together. I got to enjoy the meal without rushing, since Isa was happily playing in her swing. It felt strangely domestic and comfortable.
Afterward, he disappeared to get ready while I headed to the nursery to change Isa. I was just snapping her onesie when he stepped behind me. Strong arms came around me for a moment, then he leaned down and claimed my mouth. After leaving me breathless, he pressed a soft kiss to Isa’s forehead.
