Page 31 of Doubling Down

“Is she okay?” Ezra whispered as he peered down at Annabelle.

“I think she heard my phone ring. Or maybe me talking. I’m not sure. She was fine, just curious, I think. I picked her up and she went back to sleep quickly.”

“I can take her.” Ezra reached for his baby girl.

“I can lay her back in bed. Follow me.”

Ezra nodded.

Eric passed him and Ezra followed until Eric was laying Annabelle in the middle of the bed. Pillows surrounded her, keeping her safely tucked in. Ezra pulled the blanket over his girl as Eric ran his hand over Annabelle’s forehead then abruptly left the room.

Bending down, Ezra kissed his daughter, breathing in her sweet scent. She smacked her lips but didn’t wake up. He backed away and left her sleeping. He closed the door and considered going back to bed himself. If Eric was awake, maybe Ezra should check in with him.

He walked back down the hall to return to the living room.

Eric looked up while lounging on the couch in his slacks and white undershirt. He grinned as Ezra reentered the living room. “Everything okay?”

“I’m fine.” Ezra waved his hand back toward the bedrooms. “Sorry about that.”

Eric scoffed. “You don’t ever have to apologize for that sweet baby girl. She was adorable stumbling down the hall with her messy curls and little pj set.”

“She has you wrapped around her little finger,” Ezra accused.

“I’m not even going to pretend that isn’t true. I love having her here. Having both of you here.”

The words confused him. He didn’t want to leave but now that he was fully over the sick bug, it was probably time to get back to their real life.

“We appreciate all you’ve done for us,” Ezra said sincerely.

Eric waved his hand. “It was nothing.”

“It meant something to us,” Ezra argued. Eric stepped up when he didn’t have to. Ezra could had called Dom but that was the only person he would have felt comfortable enough reaching out to.

In fact, Dom had been angry when Ezra had told him what all had happened. Of course he hadn’t been able to tell Dom everything. Not about Eric being a cop or how Eric had come across a sick Annabelle and Ezra. He’d explained that he was staying with Eric and his brother while they recovered.

Dom had wanted to come get him, but Ezra had insisted that he was fine.

He was more than fine.

With Eric, he was home, but he also didn’t want to wear out his welcome. Ezra shook his head. “You didn’t have to take us in. Thank you, Eric.”

Eric met his gaze and Ezra was surprised by the emotion in them. “You never have to thank me, Ezra. I did what anyone would have in the same situation.”

“I think we both know that’s not true.” Ezra had learned quite the opposite. He didn’t rely on people.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. And I’m sorry for that.”

Ezra shrugged. “I haven’t done too bad for myself.”

“You’ve done a wonderful job raising an incredible daughter. You should be proud.”

The words warmed his soul. He tried his best but there were times when Ezra felt like he was failing his most precious angel. Ezra hurried across the room, unable to hold back his feelings any longer.

Eric went to sit up, but Ezra pushed him back against the couch. He crawled into Eric’s lap, feeling bold and safe. Slowly leaning forward, Ezra kissed Eric.

Hands squeezed his waist, but Eric wasn’t pushing him away. No, Eric was letting Ezra lead the kiss. Empowerment, want, and desperation filled him.

Ezra cupped Eric’s face, tilting Eric’s head back farther as he deepened the kiss. Eric’s hands tightened for a mere second before flexing and loosening.

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