Page 81 of Falling Stars

“Mav, it’s okay. Really.” Leaning down, she kisses me. “Good luck at your appointment. I’ll see you after work, okay?”

It bothers me that she doesn’t let me spoil her. We’ll have towork on that. The woman busts her ass for everyone in her life. I should be able to pamper her in return.

“If you give me two minutes, I can walk with you.” I hate the idea of her opening the shop by herself. Although she hasn’t had any more problems since her house was vandalized, I don’t want to take any chances. “Sorry, I didn’t hear your alarm.”

“You don’t need to do that anymore. Besides, Vera will be in early too.”

I haul my ass out of bed and bite back a hiss when my whole shoulder throbs. “Let me take a leak. By the time you strap Leo to your chest, I’ll be ready.”

She lets out a sigh. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re stubborn?”

I kiss her on the way to the bathroom. “I learned from the best.” Bay rolls her eyes but laughs.

After I use the bathroom and brush my teeth, I make it back to the living room in time to see her grab her keys. “See? I’m ready.” I grab Leo’s car seat and snap it into the stroller because she might need that later. Then I tuck his little lion rattle into the diaper bag.

“Come on then.”

I like our morning walks because it helps me work out my stiffness. Plus, I enjoy spending as much time with Baylee and Leo as I can. “Do you have time for some coffee? We could hop into Blackbird.”

She bites her bottom lip. “That’s okay.”

I laugh. “I know you want some. Come on.” I open the door to the cafe for her. “After you, peach.”

Her eyes light up, and I lean down to kiss her again.

“Well, isn’t this the picture of a perfect family?” Behind us, Caroline Green beams at us.

My chest swells with pride. We do make a good family, me,Bay, and Leo. I smile back at her. “Hey, Mrs. Green. How have you been?” I lean over to hug her.

Behind Mrs. Green, Nicole Ashbury’s mom, Lorraine, sniffs. “Do I get a hug too, young man? To think you’ve been in town how long and you haven’t dropped by my shop to say hello. You should stop by for dinner. Judd and I would love to catch up.”

I chuckle. “Hi, Mrs. Ashbury.” I open my good arm to her too and she squeezes me.

When I turn back to Baylee, her smile is stiff. “You know what? I don’t think I have any time before my next appointment. I’d better go.”

“Wait, Bay. Let me walk?—”

“I’m good. There’s Vera now.” She leans up to kiss me, grabs the stroller, and turns back to her salon. I start to go after her, but two more people block me off, the ancient librarian and her husband.

Mrs. Green squeezes my wrist. “Now, when are you going to stop into the Longhorn for some lunch, dear? I want to hear all about your first season. Where are you staying now? At the ranch?”

“No, ma’am. I bought a condo nearby.” I stand on the sidewalk for the next hour talking to locals and signing autographs. Maybe we need to skip Blackbird next time.

On my way home, I duck into the salon, but Bay’s busy with a customer.

I glance around the shop. Everything looks as it should. Vera waves at me, and the quiet one, Rory, looks like I spooked her, and she runs off into the back room. She’s an odd one. Another stylist comes around the back, chatting with a customer. I guess I can go. Maybe walking Baylee and Leo to work is unnecessary. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I don’t wanna fuck around with their safety.

I stop by Bay’s station. “Don’t want to interrupt. Just wantedto make sure everything’s okay.” Bay nods, and I hand her a long-overdue coffee and a blueberry muffin.

She gives me a sweet smile and sniffs the lid. “Thanks. I was regretting not getting a cup.” When she peeks into the paper sack, her smile grows. “How did you know I wanted a muffin?”

I lean in close to whisper, “It’s my special power. Along with giving you orgasms.”

Her cheeks flame, and I chuckle as I lean over to kiss her. “Have a great day, babe.”

As I walk down the street, my thoughts stray to last night. To finally connecting with Baylee like that. I don’t have words for how hot it was. I’ve never felt like my soul was connecting to the other person during sex. It was intense.

I might not have been ready for Baylee in high school, but I sure as fuck am now.

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