“You’re barely ever home.”
“So this is about my job?”
“Of course, it is. Kids take time, and they need aconsistent routine. How can you agree to take on a responsibility of that magnitude when you can barely take care of yourself.”
“I do just fine, thank you very much.”
Alex scoffed with a disbelieving mutter. “Okay.”
He shifted his stance to face her fully. “If the worst happened, I’d be here.”
“Would you?”
“Yes.”
The challenging woman jutted her chin. “What about your job?”
“Family comes first,” he assured her. “Always.”
She huffed a breath and looked away, crossing her arms at her chest. “If you say so.”
“I say so.”
A tense moment of silence stretched between them before Avery interjected once more.
“Uh, guys?” Alex’s sister inched forward. “You do realize you’ll probably never have to actually worry about this, right?”
“Yeah, it’s like a failsafe,” Garrett added to his wife’s point. “You know . . . just in case.”
Coulter kept his focus on Alex who finally brought her gaze back to his. “Fine,” she relented. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” To Avery, she smiled wide. “Of course, I’ll be your baby’s godmother.”
The two sisters shared an emotional hug.
Meanwhile, he gave Garrett’s hand a firm shake. “You know I’ve always got your back, brother. And that includes your wife and any little rugrats the two of you make.”
“Thanks, brother. I appreciate you.”
“Me, too.” Avery hugged him again.
“Hey, Aves?” Evie called out to their hostess from several feet away. “Are there any more buns in the house? These guys have already gone through the ones you set out.”
“Duty calls.” She turned and hollered back, “There’s another package in the kitchen. I’ll get it.”
“I’ll go,” Alex offered in a rush, not waiting for permission before heading toward the house.
“Thanks, Al.” Avery smiled.
A beat later, Coulter told his brother and sister-in-law, “I’ll go see if she needs any help.”
He didn’t wait for approval before taking off in that direction. With everyone else outside, this might be his only chance to talk to the stubborn woman alone.
Alex pulled the sliding door shut behind her seconds before he opened it again. A blast of cool air struck as he stepped inside.
“We need to talk.” He closed the door again to keep others from hearing.
She went to the far counter where a brand-new package of buns awaited. “Actually, we don’t.”
“Yes, we do.”
