Page 80 of Passed Ball

She nods silently, her lip trapped between her teeth, and we continue following the path along the river.

Chapter 36

Vivienne

After winding through the park--pausing for a feeding, a diaper change, and a moment to let Holland stretch out on the grass--we make our way down the trail, following it a few blocks down the river to the planetarium. I've passed the gleaming metal dome before, but this is the first time I've ever been inside.

"This is a satellite location for the U of Denver Observatory. The university owns both, but this is more accessible to the public. They also host a lot of events and field trips where the observatory is more focused on academic research," Xavier explains, one hand holding the door open, the other finding the bare skin at the base of my spine as I push the stroller into the planetarium.

It's dumb luck that I make it through the double doors without bouncing Holland off anything because, with her dad's rough palm warm against my skin, I can barely think, let alone steer his fancy stroller. Every time he's near me lately my brain short circuits.

The lobby is mostly empty when we get inside. Other than a few employees, it seems like we are the only people here. "Are you sure they're open?"

Pure delight lights up his face as he leads the three of us toward the front desk. Behind it, an older man looks up, his gray mustache twitching as a matching smile spreads across his face.

Xavier gives me a slight lift of his shoulders that's too coy for the man who towers over me. "For us they are."

"Xavier Kingsley." I laugh. "What did you do?"

He steps in closer, his lips lowering to brush my ear, and whispers, "Showing you that a man should treat you just as good out of the bedroom as in the bedroom."

Tiny vibrations start in my stomach. The light, fluttering sensation is almost unfamiliar because I haven't felt it in a long time. I lick my lips and whisper, "You realize you've never had me in your bedroom."

The man behind the counter stands and rounds it.

"Semantics," Xavier says, reaching out to take the older man's hand and shake it. "Edward, my man. How have you been?"

"A little depressed, if I'm being honest. You don't visit, you don't call, and then this morning I check the calendar and see that you've got the whole place rented out, but you haven't been bothered to stop by and introduce the little lady to her godfather."

Xavier barks out a laugh, so genuine that those vibrations turn into a rumbling earthquake. "Her godfather . . ." With a shake of his head, he flips his hat backwards and reaches into the stroller. Two gentle hands remove Holland with a fluid precision that is criminally sexy for a reason I don't fully understand.

He brings Holland to his chest so her bottom is resting in the crook of his arm as his other hand supports her upper half, giving Edward a better look at her and me a better look at his biceps.

He handles her with an ease you don't always see in new dads. My body flushes hot . . . this is likereallydoing it for me.

"Edward, this is Holland."

The old man lights up at the mention of the baby nestled against Xavier's chest. It's clear these two are close, and I wonder how much time Xavier has spent here in the last seven months.

His friend reaches out, lifting Holland's tiny arm and stroking a thumb down it.

"Do you want to hold her?" Xavier asks, his voice softer than I've ever heard it.

"Yeah, but let me sit. I'm an old man and she's too precious." Edward's eyes are misty with admiration as the two men cross the space to a couch in the lobby.

Once Edward lowers himself into the corner of the leather couch, Xavier carefully passes his daughter off to him, and I stand to the side and watch as the men exchange an emotional glance.

"You did good there, kid," Edward says.

Xavier's throat works around a swallow. "There have been moments where it all feels impossible and others where it feels like a dream come true."

"You're doing just fine." Edward lets Holland wrap his stubby finger up in her tiny fist. "Isn't he, my angel?"

I'm about to wander away, giving them space so I'm not intruding on a special moment when Xavier clears his throat, glancing over his shoulder and finding me. "There's someone else I'd like you to meet."

"Is this the girl that's got that smile back on your face?" Edward lifts his chin, pulling his attention from Holland and focusing the warmth on me. Only this isn't merely him being nosey--he's genuinely delighted to see me happy.

Xavier closes the gap between us, taking my hand. Dumbfounded, I follow as he leads me to where Edward sits with Holland.

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