“It is,” Olivia said, sounding much more relaxed.
Good, she deserves it.
“Go get in your pajamas, please. I’ll be in to read you a story in just a minute,” she said.
“Okay,” Kaylee said, standing up. She stopped in front of me and threw her arms around my waist. “Goodnight, Jace.”
“Goodnight, kiddo.” I kissed the top of her head and gave her a tight squeeze.
“Are you going home?” Olivia asked, looking at my empty wine glass.
“I’d rather hang out with you if you want me to stay for another glass of wine like we’d planned.”
What do I even have to go home to? A huge condo with no one in it?
“I’d like that. I’ll be out in fifteen minutes,” she said, turning toward Kaylee’s room which was just to the left of the living room.
“I’ll get us more wine.” I stood and picked up my glass from the table and walked to the kitchen. Olivia hadn’t brought her glass out of the bedroom, so I grabbed a fresh one from the cupboard. My phone buzzed in my pocket as I poured the wine and my heart rate picked up, wondering if it was Kayden.
I finished pouring the wine and pulled out my phone to see my cousin’s name on the screen. My chest sank in disappointment.Probably for the best since two hours ago you were hard in your best friend’s kitchen and thinking about her tits.
Leo:Hey. Do you know there are like a thousand things Sophia can’t eat while she’s pregnant?
Me:I do.
I’d spent enough time around Olivia when she was pregnant to know she would’ve murdered me if I’d eaten a sandwich with cold cuts in front of her. She’d missed those the most.
Leo:Should I make the family a list? For the party?
Leo:Of course I should. I don’t want them poisoning my baby before they’re even born.
Me:I’m sure your parents are familiar with the list. You recall they had a baby once? He not only survived but ended up being an exceptional athlete? You might want to cut them some slack.
Leo:Your moms know nothing about babies. What if therules were different when my mom was pregnant? I think I should just make the list.
Me:You’re going to make it anyway, so let’s pretend I support the idea.
Leo:Thanks, dude.
I laughed as I slipped my phone back in my pocket and took a sip of wine. Leo was going to bea lotduring this pregnancy. The way he worshipped Sophia before she was pregnant was something to admire, but now? Forget it.
Olivia came out of Kaylee’s room and gently pulled the door shut behind her. She walked straight toward me and wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her head on my chest. I stiffened, fighting the natural reaction to let this be more than the friendly hug it was, before quickly relaxing and holding her against me. However she wanted to be in my arms was something I was happy to accommodate.
“You really are the best thing that’s ever happened to us, Jace,” Olivia said, lifting her head to look at me. I kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair.
Same.
“I’m glad you think so, because I’m very attached to that kid of yours. Almost as attached as I am to you,” I said, a little too sincerely. I stepped back before I gave her the impression that I was trying to make more of this moment than she’d probably intended.
I picked up both wine glasses and led the way back to the living room. “Feeling better?” I asked, as we settled onto the couch. I turned my upper body toward her, and she sat cross-legged, facing me. She took her wine glass from my hand and took a long sip.
“So much better,” she said. “I had no idea how much I needed that.”
“Well, I’m glad it helped because now I’m going to be singing ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman’ for at least a week.”
She laughed. “That is definitely the catchiest one. I’m so sorry.”
I shook my head. “It’s worth it. Listening to her sing along is adorable. But next time you’re suffering with me.”
