Page 80 of Only Ever Yours

Haleigh's smile lights up the room. “I can't either, but she has been the greatest blessing for Ryan and me. She truly is the best surprise I have ever gotten.”

We talk and catch up for a while about all thingsbaby. I feel like things have been so busy that we haven't spent much time together lately, but we easily fall back into our normal selves—laughing and saying all the crazy things. Then she pauses to look at me, and I already know the question is coming.

“What's going on with you and Jaydon?” Her eyes narrow slightly with concern as she asks.

Her question hangs in the air.

I should have known this was coming. I mean, I have been spending a lot of time with him. But I can't let on,so I keep my face neutral, trying hard not to let anything show.

I force a smile. “Just the normal, Hales. You know how we are.” I say like it's nothing, while looking back down at the baby—like we have no history at all, like this hasn’t blown up, and it's so much more. But I don’t let her see that, I can't.

I don’t let her know that it’s not like before.

It's much more… sovery much more.

“Aww, I just want to hold her for days and smell her. Is that weird?” I glance up at Haleigh, unable to hide my smile, and we both laugh at my craziness.

“I do the same, so no.”

I’m in awe of this little bundle in my arms. I look down at her sweet button nose and cute little lips—she's perfect.

But then I hear footsteps coming towards us, and my stomach somersaults.

Dammit, couldn’t he have just stayed in the kitchen?

“I can tell I’m her favorite auntie already,” I joke, knowing she doesn’t truly have one yet.

The guys walk in, and sure enough, Jaydon sits his ass right beside me on the couch. I shift, feeling uncomfortable at the extra eyes watching the situation between us.

As if reading my mind, he holds out both hands, that smirk of his curving his lips upwards. “Okay, pass her to me,” he says, like it’s a command. But no way in hell am I going to listen to his bullshit.

I pull her back and turn to the side, away from him. “I just got her, so back off. We’re bonding…” I study her face, stroking her full cheek gently with the back of my finger, while ignoring the sexy-ass man sitting beside me. “She has the cutest little face… hmm, I think she looks like me.” I giggle, knowing that’s not possible, but claiming it anyway.

“Ellie, she can't fucking look like you… You’re not related to her.”

“Jay, don’t be rude!” Haleigh scolds him.

I scoff.

Ryan chuckles and pulls Haleigh into his side while sitting in the oversized chair.

“Well, like it or not, I’m still her favorite auntie.” I snarl at him and his rudeness, then hold my head high and continue holding on to this sweet girl like she's my lifeline.

Jaydon

I’m drawn to her.

She's mine—she just doesn’t know it yet.

My gaze follows every curve of her profile while she sits there, staring so lovingly at my niece. Her eyes light up, so full of warmth, making over her tiny little face.

Ryleigh isn't even a week old, but the amount of love I feel for this little human is overwhelming.

What really fucks with my head though, is the amount of love I see pouring out of Ellie. I can see it in the way she holds my niece so tenderly—a side of her she so rarely lets anyone see—and it stirs something deep within me.

I can’t help but think about having my own children one day.

Fuck.

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