Page 54 of My Ex's Brothers

AMELIA

The rideto Dane’s is full of tension, despite Lyla squirming and cooing in the back seat of his SUV. I can’t stop thinking about the fact that I’ve nearly kissed him twice now.

Twice!

Once, I could have written off as a fluke, a moment of weakness because of curiosity and because of familiarity, but twice?

Watching him with Lyla is equal parts comforting and painful. He’s so good with her, and her response to him warms my heart. A part of me wonders if Sam really is right. If this situation, however unorthodox it is, will be good for her too.

I know Dane isn’t some trade-off or stand-in for her father, despite his genetics.

But there’s also a part of me that feels strangely comforted from his words.

Hewantsto take care of her. He wants to take care ofme.

And that itself is as terrifying as it welcoming.

But I don’t want to upset the balance of his life just because mine was uprooted. And I meant what I said to Richard. I don’t want to put anyone out or make any one of them uncomfortable by moving myself and my daughter in with them. A baby is quite a commitment, and if there’s anything that will rock a single man’s world, it’s a baby.

We pull up to Dane’s house. It’s expansive, with a long two-lane driveway, and it’s perfectly landscaped with bright bushes and flowers alongside the walk. I can see Tripp’s Mustang in the driveway, next to Richie’s Corvette. Dane parks right behind the Mustang, and I blink, taking in the sight of what may potentially be my home for…

A little while. Not forever, just…long enough for me to get settled with a job, a working car, and a place of my own.

“Wow,” I say as I gape at the wraparound porch. “This is…”

“It’s equipped with five bedrooms, six and a half baths, and a killer game room,” he says with a smirk.

He opens his door and gets out quickly, just as I’m opening mine. He offers me his hand, helping me down, and I can’t stop staring in awe.

I swear it looks like a dream.

My house with Dex was much more minimalistic and modern than this. Dex loved the crisp white and grey aesthetic, and he was all about the modern accents. They were sleek, sharp. Like him.

I’d liked it for the most part, the air, the spacious feel, but it never felt likehome.It felt like I was living in someone else’s home, and maybe now I know the reason for that had nothing to do with aesthetics.

Just from looking at Dane’s house on the outside, I can tell it’s warm. The rocking chair placed on the porch, the perfectly manicured lawn with bright flowers. The swing hanging from the tree that boasts flowerpots with overstuffed flowers and vines…

It’s sobeautiful.

The sound of Lyla alerts me, and I realize I’ve spaced out completely.

“Come on,” Dane says, nodding for me to follow him as he carries her inside.

I follow him without question, and immediately upon entering I’m met with the sweet smell of freshly brewed coffee and…

My gaze settles on the countertop where I see an open box of donuts. Next to it is Tripp, stuffing his face with one. His gaze meets mine and I stop in the foyer. Richie turns to look at me and I feel frozen. My heart might have actually stopped working.

“Can I get you anything, Mia?” Richard asks, his deep voice brushing over my skin despite being a mere foot away.

“Yeah, an appointment with a therapist, stat,” I murmur under my breath, but thankfully no one actually hears me.

“Mia…” Tripp says through a mouthful of donut, his smile lighting up his eyes. “So good to see you again.”

In a flash, he’s there, wrapping his arms around me, and the world stops. I breathe in his sweet scent, closing my eyes as his arms hold me tight.

He’s like a ray of sunshine and it instantly relaxes me, but when I open my eyes, I notice that both Richard and Dane—who has Lyla on his hip—are watching us. Intently.

I blush, holding Tripp out at the arms.

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