Page 23 of Forever Player

When I look over at Eden, she is covering her hand over her mouth, smothering a smile, and I want to crawl out of my skin.

Brett walks Maylee over to the couch and takes off her snowsuit.

“Would you like some bacon and eggs?” I ask him.

“I can eat later,” he says. “You take your time with your friends.”

“Did you have any breakfast?” I ask, giving him a pointed look.

“Nah,” he brushes me off.

“Brett, you need to eat. I know what it’s like taking care of a baby full time. You have your hands full but you can place Maylee in that bouncer over there and turn on the music, and that will give you about twenty minutes to eat,” I assure him.

He doesn’t answer me but he does listen. He places our daughter on the bouncer and buckles her in. Then he runs his fingers through his hair and tucks some of it behind his ears. My body reacts just watching him.

He walks over to the pan, but I tell him to sit, and I bring him a large serving of eggs and bacon. I also grab a few slices of bread out of the bread bag.

“Thanks, Willow,” he says. “I can go into town later and get groceries.”

I watch him with fascination as he eats. He was hungry and I feel bad.

“I want to help as much as possible. I can only imagine how hard it’s been for you,” he says to me in front of my friends.

Ellie gives me another look, confirming what she said about him is true. I just sit feeling slack-jawed. Who is this man? Why is he so helpful?

“How long are you ladies in town?” Brett asks Ellie and Eden.

“We fly out tonight,” they both answer in unison.

“Maybe you can take Willow here to a spa in town. It’s my treat.” He winks. “She definitely needs some pampering. The works: nails, massage, pedicure, whatever.”

“Brett, that isn’t necessary,” I intervene.

“You need time to relax, Willow. Don’t tell me you don’t need it because I know you do,” Brett continues.

“Holy shit,” Eden gushes. “You are so amazing.”

“Okay, let’s not inflate his ego,” I cut in because someone needs to dim the stars in Eden’s eyes.

“My ego won’t deflate, Honey. It’s going to stay healthy, just the way I like it,” he teases, winking at me. My girl parts get warm as I remember him calling me honey the night we met.

Get yourself together. Getting soft around this guy can lead to trouble.

“We can head back to the hotel. They have an amazing spa there. I’ll call and book us in right now,” Ellie offers. “And thanks for offering to pay, Brett, but you know Connor won’t be having that.”

Brett nods.

“I’ll give you my credit card for Eden and Willow,” he says.

Ellie makes the call and they say they have an opening for us in two hours, which gives us plenty of time to get into Nashville.

“We will need to go over Maylee’s eating and sleeping routine,” I say to Brett.

“No worries, can I take her with me to the supermarket? Like how would I get her there?” he asks.

A small chuckle escapes me because he is sweet. This is a side of him I didn’t see that night because he was a sexual Adonis who wanted to claim me. There was nothing soft about him and I loved it, but I’m loving this side too.

“I can ask Jacob to give you the keys for his truck. There is a base for the car seat in the back seat. I’ll show you how to use it. But, Brett, you really don’t have to go to the supermarket with her. It can be a handful if she gets hungry and whatnot,” I warn.

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