As he always seemed to, he read my mood.Crossing the room, he leaned down and pressed a reassuring kiss to my lips as Jojo gurgled happily in my arms.“All good, baby.Just promise me you won’t answer any of his calls, yeah?”
That certainly wasn’t a hard promise to make.“I won’t.”
“And if you decide to give your parents your new number and they call, you wait for me to answer.I want to be there, baby.I don’t want you wading into that bullshit by yourself.”
My eyes filled with unexpected tears.He wasn’t just in my corner—he aimed to be the whole cheering section.“I won’t.Not that they will.I think that ship sailed with our last conversation.”I sniffled.I didn’t regret their absence; it was necessary for me to be truly happy.
That didn’t mean the reality of it didn’t make me goddamned sad.
He pulled me into his arms.“I don’t wish you sadness.Ever.But I wish I believed that ship had sailed.”
“Oh shit, I think someone is stinking up the joint.”Chuckling, Hudson made a ridiculous face at Jojo.
I swatted at him.“Don’t swear in front of the baby!”
“Pretty sure she’s not going to repeat me, darlin.”He grinned.“She can barely find her face.”
I rolled my eyes.“I’ll go change her.Don’t take out any anger on Daphne’s pipes.”I headed down the hall.
“Given the state of these pipes, they need a good bit of fury,” he grumbled.
By the time the sink was conquered and I’d fed Jojo her last bottle, Daphne returned home to find Hud and me on the couch, Jojo in my lap, happily chewing on her giraffe.
“You okay?”I asked, assessing her expression.Daphne was a master at masking her emotions, always wanting to be strong for everyone else.
“Fine.”The answer came too quickly.“Thank you two so much.Did everything go okay?”
“Totally.Jojo was an angel as always.Want me to stay and help put her down?”I shifted her gently in my arms.
“No, I’ve got it.Thank you, though.”Daphne’s gaze swept the room before narrowing on the wrench Hudson had left on the table.“Hudson Carter, did you fix my sink?”
“Guilty.”He offered a sheepish grin.
“You Carter boys, I swear.”She rolled her eyes.“Thank you, though.”
“It was nothing.Call if you need anything, Daphne.Anytime.One of us would be glad to come by.”
I knew it was hard on her pride to ask for help.I was pleased to see it wasn’t just me who forced it on her when she really needed it.
“Thank you.You and your family have always been a big help.Riley fixed my dishwasher despite my death threats.”She snorted.
“Did he now?”I raised a teasing brow.
“Don’t start.”She waved a finger at me.
“Oh fine,” I relented.“You’re lucky I’m too tired to harass you further.”
Her gaze softened.“I’d imagine you are after the last few days.Do you want to stay here?I have the spare bedroom.”
“Thank you.But I’m okay.I’m staying at Hudson’s,” I assured her.
“Permanently,” my alpha male quickly added.
She fought a smile.“No more wood paneling extravaganza?That was fast.What about those ducks?They must be lonely.”
“Oh, she brought one with her.”Hudson grinned wickedly.“Bernard.”
Her brows rose to her hairline.“Bernard?”
