“Thank fuck,” I whisper to Brandon. “Next on the list was change her diaper. I’m not ready for that shit yet.”
“Literally, mate.”
We laugh under our breath, although I know it’s something I’ll have to do soon, but at least give me a few months to warm up to it.
“What else is on the list?” Brandon whispers. “Because now Gigi is here, I’m bailing if it involves puke.”
I screw up my face. “You’re not leaving me alone. What if Gigi has to leave? We work best as a team.”
Brandon shakes his blond curls from his eyes. “Mate, you’re bloody on your own for that.” His phone dings in his pocket.
“Put it on silent. We don’t want anything to wake her.”
“Hey,” Giana says, her brown ponytail swinging as she walks back in with Penny.
“Hey. Welcome home.” I lean in to kiss Giana. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
“I slept a few hours this morning, so I feel okay.” She reaches up to hug Brandon. I’m busy admiring her in her white dress scattered with sunflowers. It ends midthigh, showing her shapely, tanned legs, and think I could let Brandon leave if it means Giana and I are alone. Then I remember Penny’s list.
“Hey, Gigi. You’ll have to tell us the story of how Byron slipped on the cliff.”
“What?” She stares at me, bewildered.
Oh fuck.
I make round eyes at Giana. “When we wererock climbing… it wasn’t bad. Myknees and elbowssuffered the worst damage.”
“Oh,” Giana says slowly, then shrugs her shoulders. “He slid a couple of feet. He really is being dramatic.”
“Serious?” Brandon punches my shoulder playfully.
Penny takes the list from my grip. “I think this is safer with Giana.”
“Okay.” I hold my hands up in surrender.
She hands the list to Giana and waits for her to read over it. Giana lifts her head and looks at Penny. “Did you really trust these two with all that?”
Penny shakes her head. “I hope she’ll sleep, but if not, I wanted to explain everything. Eventually, I hope Jobe can help out. I want her to be familiar with her uncles’ faces.”
Penny is trying to bring the family closer, and I respect it. “What about Lottie?”
“She has already babysat three times, and she comes every second night to visit.” She does? “I also mentioned to her that you might need help, so expect a phone call. But I wanted you to try first. If you can’t manage, Frank and I can come home.”
“No,” Giana says quickly. “Enjoy your date night.”
She checks the time on her cell. “Okay, I should go. Please call me if you need me.”
“We’ll be fine,” Giana reassures Penny, then she waves before closing the door. Giana looks around the kitchen and picks up the gadget from the counter. “This is the monitor. Oh, it has a camera. How cute. We just take this everywhere we go.”
“Summer can hear us?” Brandon asks.
“We can hear her if she wakes, and look…” she turns the gadget, “… you can see her sleeping.”
“Bloody hidden cameras everywhere,” I mutter. “It’s so Franklin.”
“Sweet. I vote Gigi to be in charge of the monitor. Now let’s utilize your brother’s big-ass TV and catch a game.”
“I’ll get us some drinks first.” I open the refrigerator, and there is a food platter. “Penny knows us well.” I grab the plate and hand it to Brandon, then carry a jug of iced water and glasses up the stairs to their home theater. It’s a waste of space in their luxury penthouse with Franklin being so time-poor.