Page 13 of Sticking Out

“What’s going on?” Rylee asks, leaning in conspiratorially.

“Nothing, what are you talking about? I should put this salad in the fridge.” Her hand closes over mine, stopping me, and she has a mischievous grin on her face.

“Did you give him a hug and kiss?”

“No,” I snap far too loud, considering both guys are now looking at us.

“Shame.” She leans back and adjusts Brynn on her breast as she gulps milk and my body aches a little.

I work to change the subject. “Someone is hungry.”

“You know, I always thought you two would make a good couple.”

Relentless, that’s what my sister is. “Yeah, well, he’s my brother-in-law, so no that’s not going to happen.” I don’t dare tell her that I asked him to help me make a baby. Her head would no doubt spin all the way around, and that would just freak everyone out. I guess if he does agree, and I end up with a big belly, she’s going to figure it out. Until then…silence. Brynn finishes and Rylee puts her over her shoulder to burp her.

Conner comes over, bends and gives Rylee a kiss on the cheek. “How’s the little one doing?” he asks.

“She’s great and we’re so proud of you, Conner.”

He arches a brow when she yawns. “How are you doing?”

“I’ll sleep when they’re teenagers. Hey, when are you going to settle down and make one of these yourself?”

I am going to freaking kill my sister.

He laughs, but his gaze quickly slides to mine, like we share a secret, and my sister is so goddamn astute I’m sure I’m going to get grilled about this later. Jack comes running onto the deck, jumping from one foot to the other and I’m happy for the distraction. “Mommy, I dropped my fart,” he yells as he holds the back of his soiled pants, and Rylee stands. “Would you mind holding her for a second? She needs to burp.”

Conner’s eyes go wide. “I don’t know?—”

“It’ll be good experience for when you have your own.” Rylee puts Brynn in Conner’s arms. “Just do what I was doing.” Looking a bit like a deer in the headlights, he puts Brynn over his shoulder and starts lightly tapping her back—and boom, just like that, I’m pregnant. Honestly, if it were only that easy.

Rylee takes Jack’s hand. “Let’s go, little man.”

Ava hurries to me and tugs on my hand. “Aunt Dani, come swing with me.”

“Are you okay?” I ask Conner.

He shrugs like he’s not sure. “I…don’t know.” Brynn lets loose a loud wet burp, which drips down Conner’s back. He winces.

“Oh no,” I reach for Brynn. “Let me help you.” I take little Brynn from him, holding her tiny little body to mine. I breathe in her freshly washed skin, and briefly close my eyes as my heart beats a little faster. Tears press against my eyes, and emotions flood me. When I open my eyes again, Conner is watching me, warmth, wonderment and a great deal of tenderness on his face. What is going on with him?

I’m about to ask, but he asks first. “Are you okay?”

“Hormones,” I admit, although that’s not the only thing contributing to my tears. “From in-vitro. They’re still messing with me. In so many ways,” I add with a laugh. His brows raise, when he realizes I’m so much as admitting that my libido is on hyperdrive.

Brynn decides it’s a good time to projectile vomit all over me. I hold her out. “Oh, God.” Acting quickly, Conner grabs the blanket from the bassinette and begins dabbing my shirt, soaking up the wet milk.

“Now you’re worse than me.” All he’s managing to do is rub the milk in. He gestures with a nod. “Why don’t you go clean up first?”

“Check with Rylee,” Jared says. “She’ll have clothes you can borrow.” I hand Brynn to Conner and he begins to rock with her, like it’s instinct for him. “She can go in her bassinette now,” Jared informs us.

“I’ll see if Rylee has clothes you can borrow.” I hurry into the house, and find the bathroom on the main level. It’s empty so I step in, peel off my shirt and begin to soak it in the sink. “Rylee, can you bring me a T-shirt,” I call out. “Brynn soaked mine. Conner needs a shirt too.”

“Hey.”

I turn at the sound of Conner’s soft voice and find him standing in the doorway, shoulders tight, face grim. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen such seriousness about him. He opens his mouth and everything inside me tightens, because I already know what he’s about to say to me. Honestly, what was I thinking, bringing him here today of all days? After seeing exactly how messy and hard and exhausting raising a child really is, there is no way he’s going to agree to be my baby daddy now, right?

5

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