I should question his involvement in all this, but now is not the time for questions. “I’m taking care of her.” Finally, Kade breaks from his statue-like stance.
Evan shoots a glance behind him at Kade, then back at Natasha. “A nightclub isn’t exactly the best place for a newborn. Please, let me take you to the hospital. You’ll have the best care.”
“I said I’m looking after her.” Kade moves closer. “She’s set up with everything she needs in an apartment in my building.”
Evan rises and faces Kade. Evan’s nostrils flare slightly. His lips flatten into a thin line. What has happened between them? The room is suffocating from the tension.
“Fine, I’ll arrange to have patient transport take her there. I’ll also have a nurse stay with her for the next twenty-four hours, and a pediatrician look over the baby,” Evan states like he’s not taking no for an answer. Turning back to Natasha, he smiles. “I’ll check on you tomorrow to make sure you’re okay.”
“That won’t be necessary. We have our own doctor,” Kade says.
“She’s under my care tonight. She’s now my patient. I’ll check on her tomorrow,” Evan responds with finality. “If you’ll excuse me, I have arrangements to make. Is there anywhere I can make some calls?”
“Follow me,” Lincoln says and leads him from the room.
“You’re brothers? I didn’t know,” I say, hoping for some explanation.
“How do you know Evan?” A vein ticks on the side of his jaw. “You somehow always appear where you shouldn’t be, and you know my brother too. It seems more than a coincidence.”
There’s accusation lacing his words. He thinks I planned this. For what reason? “He’s a friend.” We’ve gone out a few times, but is that officially classified as dating?” “He never told me he had a brother.”
“No, I guess he wouldn’t.” A brief look of disappointment flashes across his face just as the baby cries.
“Why is she crying?” Natasha asks with worry on her face.
“Maybe she’s hungry?” Do babies get hungry so soon after they’re born? I really don’t know much about childbirth.
“How do I feed her?”
“We should probably wait for Evan. He’ll know what to do, right?” I ask Kade, but he looks as clueless as I feel.
The cries get louder and more persistent.
“Do something,” Kade insists, looking at me.
I throw my hands in the air. “Like what?”
“You have the equipment,” he cups his hands under his pecs, “show her how it’s done.”
My mouth opens and closes, too stunned to speak. “Just because I have breasts doesn’t mean I know how tobreastfeed.”
Kade rubs a hand on the top of his head, the spikey cut making a scratching noise against his palm. “Then how does she stop crying?”
I roll my eyes and let out an exasperated breath. Sitting next to Natasha again, I say, “Let’s see if she’s hungry.” I help her wiggle from her top to expose her breasts.
“Does it matter which boob?” Natasha asks.
Does it matter?I have no idea about babies. “Let’s go with the right one to start with.” I hope this works.
Natasha manoeuvres the baby’s head to her breast, and after a few attempts, latches onto the nipple and sucks.
Natasha looks at me. “She’s doing it,” she says with wonder. “It feels so weird.”
“You’re a natural.”
She beams with pride, then drops her head to look at her baby. So much love shines from her face. I hope to experience the same feeling one day.
“Have you thought of a name for her?” I ask.
