Page 164 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

She gets quiet again and stays that way for so long I pull my phone away from my ear to make sure the call hasn’t been disconnected. “No, I… I’ll hear him out when I get there. We’re almost done.”

“Take your time.”

I might not want to be stuck here with her dad, but I won’t beg her to come home early. With her mother taking over the wedding details—which, shockingly, Rosie doesn’t mind, at least for the most part—I want her to enjoy the few things she does have control over.

“I’ll let you know when we leave here.”

“All right. Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

As I end the call and slip my phoneinto my pocket, I inhale a steadying breath. I have no choice but to go downstairs and entertain her dad now.

This ought to be fun.

It’sthe most awkward hour and a half of my life.

When Rosie pulls into the driveway, I’m up and moving before Chandler can blink.

She strolls up the walkway, as beautiful as ever, with her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Arching a brow when she sees me, she says, “Why are you standing at the door like a dog ready to greet its owner? Are you that desperate to get away from my dad?”

“It’s awkward,” I defend, locking the door behind her.

“Where is he?” She looks around like he might jump out from behind me and scare her.

“Family room.”

She inhales a deep breath, then lets it out shakily. Her eyes dart in the direction of the family room, and she wrings her hands together in front of her.

I grasp her upper arms gently, hoping my touch soothes her at least a little. “If you want me to ask him to leave, I will.”

She shakes her head. “No. Thank you. I know I need to talk to him.”

“Do you want me to be with you or give you space?”

Before she can answer, Sammy cries, and we both turn toward the stairs.

“I want you by my side,” she says, stepping in closer. “Let’s get Sammy. My dad can wait.”

Chances are he can hear our entire conversation, but I don’t care.

Upstairs, we find Sammy attempting to stand up in the crib. We’re both frozen just inside the doorway, staring at him. I can’t speak for Rosie, but the sight fills me with not only awe but apprehension. While we’re frozen in place, he straightens his legs so he’s fully upright, clinging to the crib railing, and grins around his pacifier. The little guy is clearly pleased with himself.

I turn to Rosie with a laugh. “He can stand up in the crib, but he can’t say Dada? I’m offended.”

She pushes my shoulder, lightly shoving me aside. “He just doesn’t want to give you the satisfaction because he’s going to say Rosie first. Isn’t that right?” she asks him, scooping him up. She plants a kiss on each cheek, earning a giggle from him.

There’s no doubt in my mind that she loves Sammy as much as I do.

She lays him down on the changing table, peels his pajamas off, and changes his diaper, all the while cooing and talking to him. I stand off to the side, soaking in their interaction.

I don’t know how I got so lucky.

“Did you miss me?” she asks him in a high-pitched voice.

He kicks his legs in an excited response.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She blows a raspberry on his stomach.

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