Page 27 of Skylar

“Hi, darling,” Cathy said, as she gave Blake a hug. “I’m glad you made it.”

She greeted each of the children with a hug before gesturing at Aiden. “This is Aiden, his mom, and niece, Willow.”

Blake greeted Willow and Aiden’s mom, then turned to Aiden. Aiden held out his hand and Blake took it. The man looked like he could crush Aiden’s hand, but while his grip was firm, Blake didn’t squeeze only hard.

“Aiden,” Blake said with a nod of his head. “Good to meet you finally.”

Though Blake and Charli had been dating back when he and Skylar were together, Aiden had been away at school most of the time, so he hadn’t met Blake then.

“Good to meet you too,” Aiden said, meaning every word of it.

Blake laid a hand on each kid’s shoulder as he introduced them to Aiden.

“I know him already,” Layla said. “I used to hang out with him and Skylar all the time. And Cole too.”

“You’ve grown up,” Aiden told her.

“You’ve gotten older.”

Aiden’s mouth quirked at the starchiness in her voice. She was definitely on Skylar’s side. As she should be.

“I definitely have,” he agreed with a nod.

Layla went to Skylar and gave her a hug. The other kids followed, and after they’d all greeted their aunt, they headed off to talk to the others in the room.

Blake crossed his arms as he braced his feet. Aiden prepared himself for what was to come. He had no idea what Blake’s reaction to him and his request was going to be.

“I understand that you’d like to meet Shiloh,” Blake said.

Aiden nodded. “I would, and my mom and Willow would too. If you’d be okay with that.”

Blake regarded him for a long moment. “With her being in the hospital, I think it would be best if it’s just you for now.”

“That’s understandable,” Aiden said, trying not to show his excitement at the prospect of finally meeting Shiloh.

“Perhaps you and Skylar could come together,” Blake suggested. “I think Shiloh would like that.”

Aiden glanced over at Skylar. She didn’t look likeshewould like that.

“We can talk about it and let you know,” Aiden said, not wanting to upset Skylar by agreeing to something she may not want.

Blake glanced over at where the technicians were just finishing up with a couple more people. “I’m going to see if they’re ready for us.”

When it was just the four of them, Cathy said, “I think it would be a great idea for the two of you to see her together.”

“She already knows me,” Skylar said.

Cathy gave her daughter a gentle smile. “Yes, but she doesn’t know you as her birth mom.”

Skylar’s lips tightened, then she gave a single nod. Looking at Aiden, she said, “We’ll talk about it.”

Aiden knew this meant that even when Shiloh was ready for visitors, Skylar’s mood was still going to have to be considered.

She looked a bit ruffled by it all.

He was sure that she hoped to keep most of her emotions under wraps, just like he did, but there were moments when things slipped through. And in those moments, he just wanted to do something to soothe her.

However, he knew any such efforts would be totally rebuffed.

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