Page 117 of The Enemy Face Off

I place the towel on the edge of the tub and stare up into Milo's eyes. "Thank you for letting me be a part of this."

He breaks out into a massive smile, and how could I have ever made jokes about scaring children away? A smiling Milo is one of my favorite Milos.

"I'm happy you wanted to be here," he says. "But keep the towel close. You'll never know when you might need it again."

I watch as he gently washes his son, his large hands somehow soft and careful, guiding Jonah through the bath with ease. There's something so tender and natural about the way he handles him, and it melts my heart to see this side of him.

It's been a week since we were intimate, and this is the first night I'm staying over. It's a big deal. Just like Milo inviting me to be part of the kids' nighttime routine. It means things are getting even more serious, becoming even more real.

And the really wild part? I'm still not freaking out.

This feels right, and that feeling is so strong it overpowers whatever fears I have from my past relationships. My head knows Milo won't ever treat me the way I've been treated before. And more importantly, so does my heart.

After finishing the bath, Milo hands Jonah over to me, and I wrap him up in a fluffy white towel, his little face peeking out with a smile as he chats about his boats. Milo lifts him up and carries him to his bedroom where we're met by the soft glow of a nightlight casting gentle shadows on the walls.

I dry Jonah off as Milo picks up a bright-red fire pajamas set. It's adorable, the way he fumbles with the tiny pajama buttons, his hands too big for the task. He looks up and catches me gawking at him.

"These are his favorite," he explains with a bashful grin.

Jonah claps excitedly, his face lighting up. "Fave-wit! Fave-wit! Fave-wit!"

I hand Jonah over to him, and there's a tender sweetness in the way he carefully tugs the sleeves over Jonah's little arms.

"You're a natural," I say quietly.

"Months of practice," he quips back.

"Modesty doesn't suit you," I whisper into his ear, and he lets out a low chuckle.

"Noted."

Together, we help Jonah climb into his toddler bed, which is low to the ground and surrounded by an assortment of stuffed animals.

Milo tucks a blanket snugly around him as Jonah settles in, his small body wriggling for the perfect spot. He gives Jonah a goodnight kiss on the forehead, and I do the same, before he puts on soft lullaby music in the background. In seconds, Jonah's eyes start to droop.

"Wish I could fall asleep that fast," I whisper.

Milo grins, his eyes sparkling in the soft light as he looks at his son. "Same."

Jonah's soft breathing fills the room as he drifts off, and we quietly step out, leaving the door slightly ajar.

"One down, one to go," Milo says as we reach Josie's door. "She usually goes to bed a little later, but after a day at her favorite bookstore, followed by the park, and an afternoon of arts and crafts?—"

"Don't forget the puzzles."

"How could I?" Milo cups my face in his big hands. "The kids had fun today. Thank you."

I quirk a brow. "Just the kids had fun?"

He smiles. "I had fun, too. I always do when I'm with you."

I lift on my toes and press my lips to his. "Correct answer."

We step into Josie's room. She's already in bed, reading, and doesn't even notice us.

"Reminds me of someone else I know," Milo murmurs.

I shrug. "Sorry not sorry."

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