“Hey.” Zoe slides out of the booth and lifts Lily high into the air. “Hey there, little lady.”
Lily giggles and lays her arms outward, mimicking flying. Even though we aren’t sisters, Lily loves her Aunt Zoe.
My sister and I have grown closer, but it won’t ever be like my relationship with Zoe. She was there when both my kids were born and would drop everything to come to help me if I needed it. You can’t ask for a better friend than that.
“I’m sorry we were late.” I drop the carrier onto the table, slide off my coat and settle in across from her as Lily climbs onto the cushion next to Zoe.
“How’s this gorgeous thing?” She lifts the blanket off Ashton’s face. His lips move in his sleep. Even with the jostling and noise in the café, he continues to sleep. We were lucky with this one. He’s slept through the night since he was three months old.
“He’s doing great. He had his six-month checkup this morning, and he’s growing perfectly.”
“I’m so happy for you.” She runs her thumb across his chubby cheek.
“Me, too.”
She looks around the café. “Where’s Alexander?”
“He stopped in Chloe’s to grab some cupcakes.” Heat floods my face at the slight fib. I don’t mind telling Zoe that he’s getting the newest fantasy kit, but the gray-haired woman in the next booth would not appreciate a rundown of the newest toys on the market.
“Oh.” Her eyes light up as recognition settles over her features.
“Yes.” I unfasten Ashton from the carrier and snuggle him to my chest. In his semi-wakened state, he nuzzles into my chest and grabs a handful of my top.
“Well, speaking of the devil.” She tips her head toward the doorway that adjoins the two businesses. “There’s your handsome husband, right there.”
Alexander stalks toward the table, eating up the distance between us with a pink sack in his hand. When his eyes land on mine, my belly flops. I should be used to his gorgeous face, but I’m not.
I sigh and pat Ashton’s back. If you’d have told me three years ago, I’d meet a drop-dead gorgeous man at my sister’s wedding, have a one-night stand with him, discover he was my professor, and end up tossing all my plans into the trash to marry him, I’d have thought you were out of your mind.
But you weren’t.
“Dada.” Lily hops off the seat and runs toward him like she hasn’t seen him in a month. Even though he carried her inside less than five minutes ago. Baby girl, I feel the same way.
“Hey, beautiful.” He lifts her off the ground while holding the shopping bag in his free hand. She latches her legs around his waist.
“Dada!” Her eyes twinkle with happiness.
“Zoe.” He nods at my friend.
“Alexander.” She returns his greeting as he settles onto the seat next to me, rests the bag at his feet, and adjusts Lily until she’s facing Zoe.
He cups the back of my head and kisses my lips until my toes curl. When he pulls back, I blink. “What was that for?”
“Because I love you.” He sweeps Ashton from my arms with one hand while still holding Lily in the other arm.
“God, you couldn’t possibly get better looking.” Zoe shakes her head. “It’s ridiculous. Handsome. A great father. Over-the-top displays of affection.” She rolls her eyes and turns her attention to me. “If I were a jealous person, I’d hate you both.”
“But you aren’t.” I laugh at her silliness.
“You’re lucky I’m not.” She crosses her arms over her chest but can’t stop the laughter from bubbling from her lips. “You two are adorable.”
“Adorable?” Alexander wrinkles his nose. “Adorable? That’s not the word I was aiming for. And the toys in the bag are not putting me in the adorable category.”
“Toys?” Lily scrambles from his lap and grabs the bag off the floor.
“Lily!”Oh, shit.The last thing I need is for our daughter to wield an 8” dildo in the air. Ms. Gray Hair will have a heart attack.
“Momma?” Her face is scrunched, and tears form in the corners of her eyes.