Page 184 of The Beta's Blind Date

“What kind do you think will be her favorite?”

“All of them,” I say.

“Except cookies with raisins,” he says, wrinkling his nose and gagging. “Whoever came up with that idea needs to be fined.”

I laugh at him and shake my head, a yawn forcing its way out of my mouth. My body collapses back against the pillows again, and I cover my mouth as the yawn extends and widens, scrunching up my cheeks, nose, and eyes.

My eyes fall closed, and I settle further into the downy softness of our bed, my breaths growing deeper and slower as I drift off to sleep to the sound of Reid singing quietly to our pup, singing something that sounds suspiciously like “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.”

In my half-asleep state I smile, my mind floating back to that night at the bar, the night he told me he was all in, when he told me without telling me what I was to him. I realize that, now, now that it’s after the fact and I know the truth. Every word, every gesture, every action and reaction from him that night was all his way of staking his claim in the only way he thought he could at the time. And as mad as I was at him for lying to me for all those weeks, I wouldn’t change any of it. I wouldn’t change any of our story.

The wispy, floaty images of us singing and dancing our hearts out on the stage wither away into dust as the sharp ringing of Reid’s phone jerks me from my dreamy state. I frown in my sleep and burrow my face into the pillow as he answers.

“Hey,” he says, his voice as quiet as he can make it. “Thanks for calling.”

“Of course,” Dominic says, his voice also quiet but still detectable through the phone. “I called as soon as I saw your message.” I peek out through one eyelid to where Reid stands in front of the windows again, our girl in his arm, his hand holding his phone out in front of him so he can video chat with Dominic. “How is everyone?” he asks.

“We’re all fine,” Reid says, and I can hear the smile in his voice as he looks down at our pup. “Taryn’s asleep, though, so—”

“No,” I say, shaking my head and sitting up with a groan. “Taryn’s awake.”

Reid glances at me and I nod at him, letting him know he can move closer so we can all talk together.

“Did you see her yet?” I ask Dominic as Reid sits next to me and passes the baby to me.

“Just the picture Reid sent to let me know she was here and to tell me her name,” he says as Reid angles the phone to show her sweet little face. “Savannah, right?” he asks, glancing at me. “For your aunt?”

“Yeah,” I answer, smiling, watching his eyes immediately return to her face.

“It’s perfect,” he says, smiling at her with glassy eyes. “She looks like a Savvy.”

As soon as he says her name, her face scrunches up, and she wiggles her head around, a yawn that matches mine from earlier stretching across her face.

“Oh, Goddess, look at her!” Dominic says, scrubbing his hand down his face. Her eyes blink open and she glances around, like she’s searching for his voice. She turns towards the phone, and Dominic gives her a watery smile. “Hey there, sweet Savvy baby!” Her mouth presses together and her lips tip up at the corners. “Look, she’s smiling!” Dominic says, pointing at her through the screen.

And then she lets one rip. Loud and proud, her fart echoes around the room and vibrates her butt cheeks, and Dominic’s eyes widen as his hand slaps over his mouth. Reid’s shoulders shake next to me and my whole body trembles, all three of us laughing in silence as she blinks her eyes closed again and settles into my arms, falling back to sleep.

“I was not expecting that,” Dominic says, his voice quiet and shaking with his withheld laughter. “You’ve got your hands full over there,” he adds, glancing at Reid.

“I sure do,” Reid says, smiling at Savvy and me with pride.

“I’m sorry I won’t be able to come see her,” Dominic says, his eyes back on Savannah. “I have my pinning ceremony tomorrow. Well, today I guess,” he says with a chuckle.

“I know. Dawson and Blake left on a red-eye yesterday to get there to witness it,” Reid says.

“And I’m leaving tomorrow on my first mission. I’m not sure how long it will be,” he says, his brows tilting into a frown.

“Will you have your phone?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“We’ll send you pictures, and you can come meet her in person whenever you’re able.”

He nods. “I also have some things I bought for her here in Hawaii. I’ll send them with Dawson and Blake.”

“Sounds good,” Reid says.

“I’ll let you go now,” Dominic says. “I’m sure you’re tired and have tons of people ready to bombard you with gifts and well wishes so they can meet our girl.”

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