Page 92 of Holiday Heir

"She was an angel," Mama says, her tone nicer and more welcoming since this morning.

Jagger presses a light kiss to the top of Charlie's head, lingers for a moment, like he's committing the weight of her to memory all over again even though he's held her a dozen times today already.

She stirs from his contact, one tiny fist working loose from her swaddle. She finds his finger on instinct, curling around it.

"She does that with you a lot," I say quietly, watching them.

"Does what?"

"Reaches. For your hand, specifically. Not mine, not Mama's. Yours." I lean against the door, smiling.

He looks down at Charlie's fist wrapped around his finger like it's the most important thing that's happened to him all day. When he straightens, there's a rawness in his expression he doesn't bother hiding, not even in front of my mother.

She studies him.

Jagger says, "Thank you for watching her. Really."

"She's my grandbaby. You don't have to thank me," Mama says, then peers closer. She offers, "You're good with her."

"I'm trying to be. Brought you some wine." He picks the bottle off the floor and puts it on the end table. He turns to me, and the air shifts, charged in a different way than it was in the driveway. It's softer, more hesitant. He opens his mouth, then closes it without a word. Instead, he just steps in close, one hand settling at my waist. He hesitates a beat, glancing toward Mama still rocking Charlie a few feet away, and then leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek. "Good night, Lainey."

"Good night."

He straightens, nods once toward Mama. "Ma'am. Thank you again for tonight."

"You're welcome." Mama's voice softens further, some last piece of her guard finally coming down. "And thanks for the wine."

He smiles and squeezes my arm. "Get some sleep, darlin'." Then he's gone, boots echoing down the porch steps.

I stand there a long moment, the ghost of his mouth still warm against my cheek.

"Well?" Mama questions.

I can't help smiling. "It was the best first date ever." I walk over and kiss Charlie. Then I yawn. "Want me to put her down?"

Mama shakes her head. "No. I'll do it. You get some sleep. You look exhausted."

I don't argue. "Okay. Thanks." I leave the room before Mama can ask any more questions. I undress, then lie in bed, tired but unable to stop thinking about our date, the kisses, and how his body felt next to mine.