Page 504 of The Winslow Brothers

“You do realize you’re being really weird right now, right?”

“Hell if I care.” He shrugs. “You can’t bring the cutest boss baby in the whole wide world into my office and not expect me to hold her. Do I know her mom?”

“No.” I shake my head. “She’s an old friend from high school, actually.”

“Is she married?”

“The baby? No.”

He snorts. “Her mom.”

“No, Maria is not married.”

“Oh, so…it’sMaria?”

“Yes.” I roll my eyes. “Her mother’s name is Maria.”

He grins at me like a fucking lunatic. “And this Maria isn’t married… Is she engaged?”

“No.”

“Is the father involved?” he questions, and I shake my head.

“No, but it’s a really long story that I’m not going to get into with you because it’s none of your business.”

“So…you’re taking care of Maria’s baby. A woman who is an old friend but is also single…andyou’re protective over her business? I take it back—this is starting to getveryinteresting.” He waggles his brows. “Give me the scoop, Rem. I’m all ears.”

“There’s no scoop.”

“Oh, there’s scoop. I can tell. We’re already well on our way to my two favorite tropes of all time—friends-to-lovers and second chances, baby.”

“You have to stop reading romance novels, bro.”

You might think I’m kidding, but I’m not. Thatch is a lover of romance novels. Hell, I’ve heard rumors about a book club that my brother-in-law Wes was even roped into, but I’ve still yet to get the real truth out of him.

Thatch laughs like I’ve just said the most ridiculous thing in the world. “Get real, son. Besides my wife’s t-i-t-s and p-u-s-s-y, there’s nothing better in this world than a good romance novel.”

In order to achieve the entire reason Thatch had me come to his office today, I know I’m going to have to get this crazy train back on the rails. “So…are you planning on holding the baby theentire time we’re sharing information, or should I put her back in the carrier?”

“Fluff that,” he huffs out on a snort. “I’m not giving up this little cutie until I have to.”

“You say Cassie is the one who wants another baby and you don’t,” I retort. “I call bullshit, bro.”

“Yeah, well, I’m calling bullshit on you too, bro.”

I quirk a brow. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t think I noticed the careful avoidance. The pointed distraction you just provided. C’mon, Rem. I know what’s up.”

I roll my eyes. But also, I ignore the metaphorical carrot he’s dangling in front of my face. One comment about what he just said, and I might as well settle in for a three-hour tour.

So, I do the only thing that’s going to prevent me from having to tell Maria I can’t bring Izzy home tonight because we have to sleep in this lunatic’s office because he won’t shut up. I pull my phone out of my pocket and hold it up toward Thatch and Izzy.

“Mind if I take a quick picture?” I ask. “Winnie would get a kick out of this.”

What Ireallymean is…Cassiewould get a kick out of this because there is no way my sister wouldn’t share this with Thatch’s wife.

His eyes flare. “You motherfluffer.”

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