Page 53 of Claiming Becca

“She’s adorable, isn’t she?” Bailey asks, sounding like the proud aunt she is.

“She is,” I agree.

Liv stands and glances around at everyone. “We want to return to your house and help clean up.” They all stand and nod in agreement.

“I do have cheesecake that no one ate.” Connor wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“Her cheesecake is so good I’d eat it off the floor.” He proclaims. I shake my head at him as we all walk to the exit.

“Have you actually done that?” Ansley asks. I arch an eyebrow at Connor.

“Maybe,” he says. “But I made sure the parts I ate didn’t have floor on them.” Ansley looks from Connor to me in mock horror. I shrug while Julian laughs.

“You’ll see,” Connor proclaims.

“I got another bouquet today,” Liv tells the group, her voice wavering. My stomach sinks at this news.

We’re all sitting on metal chairs in Julian’s new business space he purchased with the help of Connor. Julian is becoming a private detective and is opening his own business. It looks like Liv will be his first client.

“Who was it delivered by?” Julian asks.

“The security guard at the entrance said it was from a local florist,” Lincoln states, handing over a piece of paper. “That’s the name of the place and the license plate number of the van it was delivered in.”

Julian looks at the paper, humming softly. “I’ll go there tomorrow and see how the order is placed.”

“I’m sure he’s still living in the same house.” Liv glances at Victor, and he nods in agreement.

“He probably has security, though, so it’ll be hard to get him alone,” Julian replies. “If he has a routine, catching him off guard will be easier. Where’s the place you used to go out to eat with him?” he asks Victor.

“It’s called Chester’s Diner.” Julian writes it down.

I zone out for a few minutes while they continue talking. This man brought so much fear to the streets for years. I haven’t been back to that side of town in three years. I tried to be brave that one time, but I couldn’t follow through with it. Connor hired guys from those streets, taking them under his wings, and helped them get out of the bad situations they were in.

I want to help. I need to help. I have to get over this fear. I need to give back to that community, and that’s how I can do it. I come up with an idea, nodding to myself. Next, I need to talk to Bass and let him know I want to start working with Connor. I’ll wait a few weeks until he settles in with the new baby. In the meantime, I’ll help Connor when I’m off.

“Shortcake?” Connor runs his hand down my arm. Glancing up at him, he raises an eyebrow. “You okay?”

I look around and realize everyone is looking at me. “Sorry, I zoned out.” Connor wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his side. “What did I miss?”

“I was wondering,” Julian starts, his eyes on me. “If you’d be interested in decorating the place.” He waves his hand around. “Bailey is going to paint a mural on the wall, but when she’s done, I was hoping you’d do the rest.” It’s not a secret that I’ve turned down these requests in the past.

It always involved me working with Connor, which I couldn’t handle. Things have changed so much.

“Sure, I’ll be happy to,” I reply. Surprise flashes in Julian’s eyes, but he hides it quickly with a small smile.

“Great! Bailey and I have a few ideas we’ll send you, but you have free rein. You did great with Bailey’s room and Mia’s nursery. And Connor’s place is starting to look a lot better.”

Connor plants a kiss on my cheek. “My baby is talented,” he says with pride in his voice. My face heats up, but I ignore it. I enjoy working at the gym, but it’s not something I want to do for the rest of my life. Interior design, that’s something I could do for the rest of my life.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

BECCA

“SHE’S SOtiny,” I whisper. Caroline and Bass give me tired smiles. “She looks just like Bass.” Caroline smiles, but Bass scowls.

“We have to have another one. That one will look like you, Care,” Bass declares. My eyes widen, and Caroline shakes her head.

“That is not happening anytime soon,” she replies. Bass scowls again.

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