Page 8 of Catching Feelings

“Christ. I can’t even with you.”

Even the excitement of being a new dad can’t hide the bags under Walker’s eyes. Riley texted us yesterday afternoon to tell us she was in labor. That was twenty-four hours ago, and little Emmitt is only two hours old.

Riley is still glowing, but she looks tired too. I nudge Emmitt’s little wrapped body against Miles’s arm. “Do you want to hold him?”

“Uhm.” He glances down at the bundle. “He’s so small. What if I drop him?”

“I’ll fucking kill you,” Walker grumbles.

I place Emmitt in the crook of his arm. “Think of him as a football. Protect him and hold him close to your chest.”

Our hands and arms brush as I pass off the baby. Miles locks eyes with me and stills for a moment before focusing on Emmitt again. It could have been from our close contact or from his nerves over holding a newborn, but the air shifted between us. Not something I want to think about right now. I’m sure it’s all the love and pheromones in the air that have me being nostalgic for a family and wishing for something that isn’t there.

Not that I’m wishing for anything with Miles. He’s so not my type and I’m not his. Still, there was a spark. At least on my end.

While he adjusts to holding a human football, I cross the room to Riley.

“Congratulations, Riley. Emmitt is beautiful.” I give her a hug and gather my purse. “I’m going to let you get a few minutes of rest before the rest of the team bombards you. Call me when you’re home and if you need anything.”

I give Walker a hug as well and step out of the room. There’s a crowd in the elevator, so I let it go and wait for the next one.

“I didn’t know babies came that small,” Miles says behind me.

“Small? He’s over nine pounds.” I chuckle

When the elevator opens again, I step inside, and Miles joins me.

“See? I know nothing about kids. I was wondering if you could help me out with something,” he says and pushes the button for the main floor.

“What’s that?”

“I’d like to get a gift for Walker and Riley. Think you could come shopping with me or something? Hold my hand through the process?”

I have to strain my neck to look up at him. While I’m not short, he’s still a foot taller than me. “What did you have in mind?”

His wide shoulders lift in a shrug. “I dunno. Maybe a kid-size football and a helmet or something?”

I laugh as the doors open and we step into the lobby. “It’ll be a few years before Emmitt is ready for that.”

“Exactly why I need the help.”

“I can’t tonight, but how about tomorrow?” Normally I’m free on Friday nights unless Kendall or Riley plan a girls’ night, but one of the pediatricians is retiring and we’re going out for dinner as a staff tonight.

“Tomorrow works. Can I have your number so I can call you for directions to your place?”

Coming from any other guy, this could be considered a classic pickup line to get my number, but this is Miles. Quite a few of his teammates have my number, but not because I’ve gone out with any of them. I’m friends with their wives or girlfriends.

“Sure.” I rattle off my number and he types it into his phone. A few minutes later, we’re standing by my car in the parking lot. “I’ll talk with you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Rowan. Looking forward to it.” He waits for me to drive off before crossing the parking lot to his truck.

***

“What do you think aboutthis one?” Miles holds up another outfit. We’ve been at Target for twenty minutes and I’m pretty sure he’s gone through every rack and still hasn’t figured out it’s going to be a couple years before Emmitt will fit into a size 2.

“Adorable. But still too big.” I hide my grin behind the stack of outfits I have in my arms.

“What do you mean? It’s tiny as fuck.” He holds out the jogger set and unzips the hoodie. “Little E will be a total chick magnet in this. I have something similar. We can even be twinsies.”

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