“What are you two giggling about?” Max asked, startling Gabi so she almost jumped in her seat. Luckily, for her sake and Elise’s, she didn’t scream.
“Your pants,” Ava said, between laughs.
“What?” he asked.
“Never mind. Don’t mind us,” Gabi said.
“Good morning,” he said, and then he leaned down and kissed her.
In front of Ava and the kids.
Gabi froze for a moment.
“Are we not doing this?” Max asked against her lips.
“Avert your eyes, Ava,” Gabi said, giving Max a quick kiss. He sighed against her lips, and her heart raced. Yes. This was the right decision.
She ended the kiss and stared up at him. “Good morning, Max.”
“It is now,” he said, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Okay, gross,” Ava said.
Gabi looked over at her grinning friend and she felt hope about more things than she had realized.
“Maybe no kissing in front of the kids, unless you’re ready to explain that,” Ava said.
“Elise, did we scandalize you?” Max asked, plucking the baby from Gabi’s arms.
“Hey. I wasn’t done snuggling her.” Gabi pouted.
“I have to leave for a quick morning practice soon, so you can have her back when I leave,” Max said, sitting down in the chair next to Gabi.
He turned his attention back to the infant. “Hello, my little peanut. Who’s the cutest?” he said in a baby voice. “Aside from me, obviously.”
He shot a wink Gabi’s way.
The butterflies in her stomach took off at Mach speed. Dammit. Did he have to be so beautiful holding a baby? It was truly unfair to her sensibilities.
Then Elise grabbed onto his beard and tugged, and all he did was nuzzle her nose and smile down at her.
Ovaries obliterated.