Page 81 of Vegas Baby!

“Told you it was fun!”

“I’ll believe you next time,” he yelled back.

I had only done the zip line once before, years ago, and I liked being able to share it with Bryce since he was woefully underexperienced with his new home city.

“I almost want to ride it again,” he said when we arrived at the other end and they freed us from our safety harness.

“You can ride it as many times as you want, Mr. Moneybags.”

“I’m gonna buy you a car out of spite now.”

I barked out a laugh. “Don’t waste your money on me. Buy us a van to fit everyone and all the baby stuff if you really want to.”

“Well, I’ll buy that too, but you can’t stop me on the frivolous purchase. I’m going to make it something really expensive and douchey too. We should get you a custom plate.”

“I think I might need the margarita after all.”

Bryce laughed and we went down to street level so he could explore. I didn’t actually drink, not after dealing with my mother, but I did get a slushy, and no one could tell from the outside that it wasn’t full of liquor.

I nicely bullied Bryce into purchasing aWhat Happens In VegasT-shirt for my own entertainment, and we stayed out until his shiny loafers started to hurt his feet.

“Thanks for inviting me out,” he said as we slipped back into my car.

“Anything for Ava. I want this pack to work.I needit to. I had more fun than I thought I would.”

“Are we good?” Bryce asked.

“Depends on how douchey the car you buy me is.”

“Mortal enemies forever it is, then.”

I laughed. I could kind of see the allure now that we had spent some time just the two of us. I could adapt. For everyone’s sake.

“You don’t have to fold and put away every single item tonight,” Micah told me.

“Omega brain says otherwise,” I replied as I folded another onesie. We had at least a hundred from newborn to eighteen months, and as soon as everyone left, my instincts had gone into full nesting mode.

“And we’re still not allowed to help you do this?” Jesse clarified.

I shook my head. “Got to do it myself.”

The only part I did allow them to help with was sorting all of the original gifts by size.

“Okay, ready for drawers,” I announced.

They helped me out of the nest and watched as I carefully arranged each of the folded items by color into drawers labeled by size.

Mixed in with all of the practical items were cute Christmas wear, Halloween themes, and summer and winter options. Micah’s family had done all the math and purchased me seasonally appropriate things based on how big the baby would be at the time.

“I should’ve thought about seasonal stuff and sizing,” I lamented. “That’s so smart.”

“Janessa gave everyone a list,” Micah told me.

“She was really sweet. Everyone was.” I sniffled, a surge of emotion overwhelming me. “They were all so nice, treating me like I’m part of the family.”

“That’s because youarepart of the family, sweetness.” Jesse looped his arm around my shoulders and kissed my hair.

“But I’m not even bonded to Micah yet.”

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