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She hits me with a pillow.

I laugh and catch it.

"Asshole."

"Come here," I say, curling my finger.

"No."

I grab her ankle and drag her toward me.

She yelps, careful not to jostle Charlie. "Jagger!"

I cage my body over hers and kiss her.

She tries to stay irritated for about half a second. Then her mouth softens beneath mine.

Charlie shoves her hand between our faces.

Lainey laughs against my lips.

I pull back. "You've gotta learn some boundaries, peanut."

"She's only two months old."

"Never too early."

"She has absolutely no interest in your boundaries."

"Clearly."

Lainey looks at me for another second. Then her nerves return. "I want to give you your Christmas present. It's not very…" she glances toward the doorway then back at me… "elaborate."

"Darlin, I told you. You didn't need to buy me anything."

"Too bad."

"Well, then you didn't need to buy me anything expensive."

"It's not."

"Good."

She hesitates. "It's just…"

Her gaze moves toward the closet again, her expression full of anxiety.

It makes me quit screwing around. "Lainey. What's up?"

"Stay here."

"Wasn't planning on running away naked."

"You have boxers on."

"Basically naked."

She rolls her eyes, and coos, "Don't let Daddy out of bed." She disappears into the closet.