Page 15 of Talk Wicked to Me

She looked at Brennan sleeping in the bassinet next to the bed. As full to the brim as she was with love for him, her heart also ached because he’d never know his grandparents. She missed them more than ever and wished her mother could be there to show her how to be a mother. She’d thought it would come naturally, but she had so many questions, and this was just the beginning of a lifetime of figuring out how to be his parent. The nurses were helpful, and she’d devoured parenting books. She’d be fine in the long run. She was always fine, but that ache of missing them was hitting as hard as it had the first year after she’d lost them.

Tears slid down her cheeks, and she whispered, “Don’t worry, Brennan. I’ve got this. I won’t let you down.” Just as she’d done that first year, she drew upon her will to make her parents proud, pushing the pain aside and telling herself she was strong and smart, and there was nothing she couldn’t do.

Thankfully, by the time Baz walked into her room half an hour later, carrying a vase full of gorgeous flowers, she’d pulled herself together.

“Breakfast delivery for the prettiest mama on the ward.” He set the vase on the nightstand and held up a to-go cup and a paper bag she hadn’t noticed him carrying. “Morning, beautiful.” He kissed her cheek like he’d known her forever.

Her stomach flip-flopped. “Hi. I usually get flowers before a guy gets in my pants, but the morning-after breakfast is a nice touch.”

“Well, you know, a guy’s got to mix things up.”

“I guess so. The flowers are beautiful. Thank you. I didn’t think you’d be here so early.” She absently touched her hair. She’d pulled herself together emotionally, but she’d done nothing about her appearance. Visiting hours had only started five minutes ago. Not that she was complaining. He was quite a sight for her weary eyes, with his wet hair pushed back from his face, a few wayward strands hanging in front of those sexy blue eyes that had given her strength while she’d been in labor. His scruffy jaw, black tee, and jeans gave him a carefree, weekend vibe. Her carefree days had ended so many years ago, she could barely remember what they’d felt like.

“I couldn’t let you eat hospital food after all you’ve been through. I brought you a vanilla shake, and since it’s too early for fries, I got you hashbrowns in a high-protein power breakfast bowl from Mojo.”

“The organic café?” she asked, floored that he remembered her comment about fries and a shake. That touched her and made her wonder what his story was. Why was he opposed to settling down when he was such a good guy?

“Yup. It’s loaded with eggs, steak, and hashbrowns with no onions, because according to Tank’s wife, Leah, they might bother your little man’s belly.” His brows slanted. “You’re not a vegetarian, are you?”

“No. I’m a total carnivore. Give me all the meat.”

He smirked.

“Please. I just gave birth. My man-eater is out of commission.”

They both laughed.

“This was really nice of you, Baz. I promise to pay you back.”

He shut her down with a don’t-be-ridiculous look and put the food on the tray, moving it in front of her.

“This smells delicious. Have you eaten? Do you want to share it with me?”

“I’m good, thanks. How’s the little prince? Did he keep you up all night?” He peered into the bassinet, a smile curving his lips.

“He’s doing great. He was up a lot, but I didn’t mind.”

“He’s even cuter in the light of day.”

She warmed all over, and on the heel of that nice feeling, she remembered he was there to give her a ride home, not spend the day with a new mom and her baby. “I appreciate you offering to give us a ride home, but the nurse said they won’t discharge us until tomorrow. I’m sure the hospital will lend me a car seat, and I can call a rideshare.”

His brows slanted. “You and Brennan are not getting into a car with a stranger.”

He sounded like he really cared, and she liked that a lot more than she probably should.

“Besides, I figured they wouldn’t spring you that fast. Leah and my cousin Maverick’s wife, Chloe, were both in the hospital for two days after giving birth. That’s why I brought provisions.” He shrugged a backpack off his shoulder. How had she missed that? “I’ve got snacks, playing cards, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, and a bunch of other stuff.”

She listened with awe. It was like her parents had sent this man into her life. Her mother used to gather the same things when Emerson was sick and pack them when they went on vacations. Those were great memories, but God, this man was…crazy. He had to be. They’d only just met, and he was treating her like an old friend. The strange thing was, it was so easy to be with him, it felt like they were becoming good friends. But she had to cut him loose from whatever sense of duty was driving him to be there. “You’ve done more than enough already. I’m sure you have better things to do than sit around the hospital with us.”

“That’s not the first time you’ve tried to send me away, Lockhart. If you’re not careful, you could give a guy a complex. I’m starting to understand why you don’t have an emergency contact for Ollie.”

She laughed softly. “I just haven’t met many people here yet.”

“Yeah, yeah, save your excuses. Lucky for you, I don’t have a fragile ego. Now you’ve got that friend you can list as an emergency contact, so don’t lose my number. Ollie and I had a great night, by the way, and Sid started working with him to teach him not to jump up and to heel when you walk him.”

“She doesn’t have to do that.”

“Darlin’, you’ve got a six-pound, eight-ounce little boy who can’t fend for himself. I’m sure that seems like a big baby, since you pushed him out of your body, but it’s nothing compared to a rambunctious forty-pound dog tugging you down the street or jumping on you while you’re holding Brennan. It’s best he learns some manners before he’s around your little one. Ollie’s smart. He’ll learn fast, and he and Sid are already like this.” He crossed his fingers.