Page 29 of Bae

Beside her on the bench was a cordless baby monitor. Through the speaker, Nova made a sound, and Ivy cocked her head to the side to listen. Nova made another sound, a short cry, and Ivy stood.

Braeden put a hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her back down. “I got this.”

Ivy shuffled on her feet, as if she were considering just moving past him. B made a sound. “You’ve been doing it for weeks while I was gone. It’s my turn.”

Her blue eyes softened, and she smiled. He handed her his longneck and strode across the deck and into the house.

Braeden was an incredible dad. Probably the best I’d ever seen.

Romeo would be even better.

The thought stung, and I took a sip of the blue liquid that really shouldn’t even be considered alcohol. I had to agree with my BBFL; this stuff was terrible.

Or maybe it just tasted that way because of the feelings suddenly worming around deep inside me.

Ivy sank back onto the bench, trading his beer for her wine glass. “Earth to Rimmel,” she said, taking a sip.

I glanced up, shoved the empty feeling down deep, and smiled. “Good night for a bonfire.”

“Sure is.” She tucked one jean-clad leg beneath the other. She was dressed perfectly in a pair of dark skinny jeans and a silky, loose, wine-colored long-sleeved shirt. Expertly draped around her neck was a cream-colored, cable-knit scarf, which paired perfectly with the thick, knee-high, cable-knit socks on her feet. The sides of the thick socks were lined with round, wooden buttons.

“So where are you?” She rested her chin in her partially sleeve-covered hand, even in the nighttime lighting and with the fire sparking with orange and red flames, I felt her clear, blue gaze settle on me.

I laughed lightly and held up the glass filled with Blue Hawaiian Boone’s Farm. I admit I picked it because it was blue. It reminded me of Smurf Balls. “I’m over here thinking Braeden was right. This wine—and I use the term loosely—is lousy.”

“You’re totally right.” Ivy grimaced and abandoned her glass.

I did the same, and we both giggled.

“You ready for tomorrow?” I asked, thinking ahead to my niece’s first birthday party.

“No… I can’t believe it’s been a year,” she mused.

Before I could reply, the lights on the baby monitor lit up and sounds came through. Nova started fussing again, but almost as fast, Braeden’s voice cut through her cries. “Now don’t be doing that, Critter. Your momma’s gonna come up here and accuse me of not knowing how to handle ya.”

Ivy made a rude sound, and I snorted.

Nova’s cries stopped, and I heard his faint footfalls moving across the room. She made a sound I recognized as the same one she always made when she held up her arms to be picked up.

“Da-dadadadada,” she part cried, part babbled.

“All right now,” he said soft, and I imagined him reaching into her crib to pull her into his arms. “Tell Daddy what’s going on.”

Of course the baby said nothing.

“Gonna make me guess? You women are all the same. Always wanting us men to read your minds,” he muttered, but affection was heavy in his voice.

It was a little heart-melting for such a big, rough, and sometimes hotheaded man to turn into such a big ball of mush when faced with a little dark-haired girl.

“I’m just gonna get right to the daddy duties. C’mon, then. You can help.” He went on. “Let’s check the closet first.” The sound of a door opening and closing came through.

I glanced across to Ivy. Her head was turned toward the monitor as she listened to her husband and daughter, her eyes soft and her lips pulled into a small smile.

Oblivious to the fact we were listening to his entire interaction with Nova, B continued. “Nothing in there. Let’s look under the bed.” He made a grunting sound as they looked under the bed and then a few corners of the room.

As I listened to the entirely adorable moment, my stomach started to feel a little heavy. I fidgeted on the bench, tucking both legs beneath me tightly so I was sitting Indian style.

“All clear,” he announced. “Nothing in here to be upset about, baby. C’mon. Back to sleep with you. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

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