Page 56 of Mad Love

“It’s really cute. I think it’s my new favorite. You have good taste, Chapman.” He laughs when Caleb starts babbling. “What are you saying? What?” He looks at me, still laughing, and he looks so beautiful it halts my breath for a few seconds. “Are you hearing this?”

I laugh. “I was hoping you’d hear him. He was doing it before you came in too.”

“Our boy is trying to talk, yes, he is,” Weston sings, smiling down at Caleb, and my heart flutters inside before it catapults to the floor.

Our boy.

A whole slew of emotions takes over—joy, pain, elation, and guilt.

Always the guilt.

I know Weston doesn’t mean anything bad by saying that. My nephewismy boy, but it’s becoming increasingly harder to not feel like I’m his mama too, and I just don’t know what to do with that.

I mask my feelings and keep a smile tacked on my face, knowing if I let it drop even slightly, I’ll crumble for the rest of the day.

For the first time, I wonder how Sasha would’ve dealt with losing me if our roles were reversed.

She probably would’ve hidden her pain by partying every night. That was her go-to for anything. If she was down, party. If she was happy, party. If she wanted to get laid, party. If she needed free drinks and food, party.

We were always the opposite of one another. Where she was confident and the life of any room, I was shy and awkward, preferring one-on-one time with her. She had a lot of friends, but I really only needed her. She was jealous when I started working and made new friends, but she’d disappear for days with her friends and not understand why I wanted to know where she was. I was older, but she lost her virginity first. She never met a stranger and could talk people into anything. I, on the other hand, take a while to warm up to someone and if I tried to talk someone out of something, they were sure to do it. She was charismatic and charming and beautiful, and I was the smart, practical one.

For once, maybe I should take a page out of Sasha’s book and see if maybe she had the right idea. I don’t need to go as far as partying, but trying to have a little fun wouldn’t hurt.

“Where’d you go?” Weston asks, bending slightly to meet my eyes. “You look nice, by the way.” He smiles and my mouth goes dry.

“Thank you. I, uh…I was just thinking it’ll be nice to get out of the house for a little while.”

“Ahh. I’m so glad you’re coming with me. You’ll meet Clara. I already know you’ll love each other.”

Right. Clara. I’d almost forgotten about her.

We feed Caleb and change him again before we leave for Luminary, and even though we were up in plenty of time, we’re still twenty minutes late.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

THE VAULT

WESTON

Luminary Coffeehouse is buzzing when we arrive. I wave when I see Clara and she hurries around the counter toward us. When she reaches us, she beams. She only has eyes for Caleb.

“I’ve been dying to meet this guy,” she says. “I can’t believe you haven’t been in to see me before now!” She stares at him and shakes her head, clasping her hand to her heart. “He is so perfect. I can’t get over him.” She swats my arm. “I don’t want tomiss out! He needs to know his Auntie Clara, yes, he does,” she coos.

“Sorry, Clara. We’ve been staying close to home, trying to get used to…all that comes with taking care of a baby…”

I look at Sadie and she has an odd expression on her face. I nudge her with my elbow.

“You okay?”

She nods absentmindedly, smiling at Clara. “You’re Clara? Hi,” she says, her smile growing. “I’m Sadie, Caleb’s aunt.”

God, when she smiles, the whole world looks brighter. It’s blinding and makes my chest feel weird. I try to rub away the ache in my chest, frowning.

“Hello, Sadie. I’ve heard all about you from Lane. We’re BFFs—do people still say that?” She laughs and Sadie giggles, looking fucking delighted, and I stare at her as if I’m seeing her for the first time.

I’m not.

Clearly.

---