Page 83 of Callahan

I loved that her breathing had evened out before I reached the doorway.

Conor’s crying got more insistent, and I said out loud, “I’m coming, buddy!”

Because she’d pumped before going to bed, she hadn’t refrigerated the bottle, so it was ready and waiting on his dresser when I walked into the nursery.

After about ten minutes, Conor turned his face, which I took to mean he was done. There was still a little milk left in the bottle, so I made a mental note to put the rest in the refrigerator after I put him back to bed.

He burped within a few minutes, then I changed his diaper and had him back in his crib less than thirty minutes from when he’d woken up.

I was tempted to hold him a little longer, but I knew I’d fall asleep, and Lainey’s bed was calling me. I wouldn’t even touch her—I didn’t want to disturb her, but just being near her was enough.

After putting the bottle away, I slipped back under the blankets, and she murmured, “Thank you.”

“My pleasure, baby.”

I loved feeling like I was helping lighten her load in some small way.

A thought occurred to me as I drifted back to sleep. Maybe helping her and Conor was how I made amends to Shawn.

But as my hand rested on her bare ass, I chastised myself.

Fucking your friend’s girl is not making amends, jackass.

****

Lainey

I couldn’t believe how great I felt when I turned on the bakery’s lights in the morning. Sleeping for a solid six hours had made a world of difference. I almost ventured to say I had a spring in my step.

Of course, I’d bookended yesterday with orgasms, so that might also have had something to do with it.

I knew better than to act too peppy when Marie flipped the bakery sign toopenand the first customer walked through the door.

Tongues would be wagging a mile a minute if I seemed different in any way than I had on Sunday. Well, in any way that wasbetter.

The old biddies in town would probably be okay if I seemed unhappy.

I was careful to school my expression when Mrs. Cahill walked in around eight.

“Good morning.”

“I’ll bet it is.”

I cocked my head. “Well, the sun is shining, and we’re not sold out of your favorite eclairs, so it would appear so.”

“I guess you’re not the only one who got lucky, then. I’ll take three.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

“Why, Mrs. Cahill,” I said with a sickly sweet smile. “Whatever do you mean?”

I was going to make the old hag come out and say exactly what she was implying.

“I hear you’ve had a visitor several nights this week.”

“Adam?” I drew my brows together like I was confused. “I’m not sure I’d call it ‘lucky,’ but I am grateful to have him staying with us.”

She gave me a smirk. “You know what I’m talking about.”

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