Page 77 of Tangled with the Tight End

“Yes, you are. The fastest car in the land.”

At my praise, he increases his speed until he’s nearly a blur of movement. Each time he passes me, he grins and gives me a high five.

“Good job. You’re an expert driver.”

“I am.” He points at his chest and returns to his game.

I’ve not spent a lot of time around kids. As an only child, I don’t have nieces or nephews, and Angelo is only a year old. But Gino is a joy to be around. Maybe it’s because he has Gabriel’s eyes and complexion. Gino laughs, sets the car at the finish line, and claps. “Norah, watch.”

“I’m watching.” He beams when he looks over to ensure I don’t have my phone in my hand.

Twenty minutes later, he climbs onto the sofa and snuggles next to me. “I tired.” He yawns as his black lashes flutter down and frame his cheeks.

“Come here.” I pull him onto my lap and sigh as his weight sags into me. I can’t stop the desire to be a mom, to be Gino’s mom, if Gabriel will let me. I wrap my arms around him and take in his scent. It’s a mixture of baby shampoo and cucumbers. It’s perfect.

He glances up with his head on my chest. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, pumpkin.” I kiss his forehead and settle into the feeling of contentment.

Moments later, or thirty minutes later, I’m roused awake by Gabriel standing at the threshold watching us. I struggle upward and stretch as Gino mumbles in his sleep. Gabriel is wearing shorts and a T-shirt, but they’re clean. It’s not the same outfit he wore when he left. And his hair is curled and darker from hisshower at the stadium. His blue eyes travel over us as he strides through the room. “You’re beautiful together.”

My body heats as his predatory gaze sends my heart thudding in my chest. “You look pretty fine yourself.”

“Thank you.” His lips rise into a grin, and he stops a few feet in front of us. “How was today?”

“Good. Havana and I got along great. Gino adores her.” I haul him closer to readjust on the sofa.

“I think he adores you.”

I glance down at him. His features are soft with sleep. “He’s just like you. Perfect.”

He groans, takes him into his arms, and holds him tightly to his chest. “How long has he been asleep?”

“About thirty minutes.”

“Good,” he growls. “That gives me thirty to forty-five minutes to thank you for being here.”

I shake my head and stand, limping slightly because my leg went to sleep. “You don’t have to thank me. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

He readjusts his son in his arms, causing Gino to wrap his arms around Gabriel’s neck. “I know, and I don’t know how I got lucky enough to get you. Especially with my amazing skills at first impressions.”

I brace my hands on my hips. “Yeah, you suck at first impressions.”

“It takes a certain skillset to pull off prick, but it takes even more talent to pull off sexy prick.” He waggles his eyebrows and holds out his hand. “Come on. I’m going to put Gino to bed, and then I’m going to worship you.” A flash of guilt flips across his face.

“What?” I eye him with trepidation. I’m not worried about anything in particular because Gabriel is loyal to a fault and won’t ask me to do anything I don’t agree with.

“The guys are coming over in a couple of hours.”

My heart pounds in my chest as my palms sweat. “I anticipated meeting some of the team this weekend, but that would be outside the dressing room as they rushed home. I’ll hide up in the master suite and let you all–”

“No.” His eyes narrow. “You will not. It’s only three of the guys and their wives, and they want to meet you and welcome you to the family.”

I cock an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes.” He wraps his free arm around my shoulders and kisses the top of my head. “They want to meet the woman I can’t stop gushing about.” He winks. “So I’m going to ensure all your nervous energy is depleted and then fawn all over you in front of them.”

“Stop.” I laugh and swat his chest. But that doesn’t halt the butterflies from swarming my belly.

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