Page 112 of Books and Hookups

“What’d you bring?” I asked, my mouth watering at the savory scent.

“Just some spinach dip and homemade crackers,” she said. “If there’s room in the oven, I’ll keep it warm.”

“Check with Leo. If not, we’ve still got the oven upstairs,” I said.

Danny’s heavy steps sounded on the spiral staircase. “Look who’s up,” he sang out.

Savannah shoved the tray into my hands. “Mia, my love!” She rushed to greet my daughter, Carly right on her heels.

Tessa hung back beside me. “You doing all right, Luce?”

I watched Danny smooth down the skirt of Mia’s rust-orange party dress. He’d even managed to wrestle her into leggings and a pair of soft, grippy booties that helped her take her toddling steps, provided anyone would let her feet touch the floor today. Her face lit up when she saw my friends. She reached for Savannah first, curling her fingers into her pink hair. Fortunately, Savannah didn’t mind. Danny stood by proudly, hands on his hips.

“Yeah,” I said. “I’m excellent.”

“Still one-and-done?” she asked.

“Not you too.” I glared at her. “Danny made his family promise not to ask me that anymore.”

“Hey.” She held up her hands. “You know I’m not into kids. I’m just saying, your man could make anyone burst an ovary.”

“True. But I promise to keep my wits about me, despite his ovary-exploding powers. Our family is perfect as is.”

“Hello!” My mother’s voice rang out behind me. “We came early to help.”

“Just what I need,” I muttered.

“Need me to run interference?” Tessa asked. “I can ask your dad about his research. That’s good for an hour-long conversation.”

“I’ll let you know. Code word ismayday.”

She snorted, then headed off to greet Mia and Danny. I turned to face my parents.

My mother hugged me. “How’s the proud mama?” she asked.

“Doing fine, thanks.”

“We watched Danny’s video of Mia’s first steps a dozen times, didn’t we, Marvin?” she said.

“We did. And how many words does she have?”

“Dad,” I warned. “Don’t start.”

“What? I’m asking about my granddaughter’s development.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You’re testing her.”

“Why would I do that? She’s a baby.”

Because that’s what you did to me,I didn’t say. “We talked about this, Dad.”

“I know. But there’s no harm in trying to teach her to say ‘Grandpa,’ is there?” He rubbed his hands together.

“I guess not. And she’d love it if you’d read her a book.”

“It’s excellent that you’re instilling a love of reading in her,” he said.

I blinked at his praise. “Thank you.”

---