Page 115 of Waiting For A Girl Like You
“Albie was Evie’s dad?” he whispered to Annabeth.
“And Ben’s best friend.” She wiped her nose, sniffling a little as she tried to hold herself together. “They were like brothers, and Ben swore he would care for Laura Jean after his death.”
“So, he married her?”
“No, that’s how the media spins it.” Annabeth released a laugh, a tear or two rolling down her cheeks. “But there’s much more to the story. I’ll tell it to you one day.”
Chapter 25
“I’m going to the nursery.” Liam gave her a kiss. “That kid isn’t leaving my sight.”
Albie.
Albert Benjamin.
Jamison loved the name as much as she loved her new nephew, and she hadn’t even met him yet. Her sister was sentimental, and so was Samuel—whether he wanted to admit it or not—and choosing such a perfect name to honor their fathers was very much on par for their little family.
“If you hang around him too much, you might end up changing diapers.”
The comment earned her another kiss. “I’m good with that.”
She waited until he headed out, covertly signaling for him not to interrupt Carter and Taylor’s conversation. They were really chatting it up now, with Taylor giving him her infamous pouty lip look as she grilled him about his military background.
Thinking she would text Liam and explain her genius plan, she went for her phone and realized it was back at the house. When Carter returned them, she had set hers on the vanity and, too concerned for Evie, never picked it up again.
“Well, crap.” Catching her father’s eye, she grinned at him across the waiting room. “You good over there?”
“I’m good, princess.” He rose from his seat and came over to hug her. “How are you holding up?”
She laid her cheek against his chest, relaxing into the embrace. “Keeping myself distracted.”
“How so?”
She angled them slightly so he could see Taylor and Carter, and a deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. “You’re clever as hell. Did you know that?”
“Got my smarts from my dad.”
“As much as I'd like to take credit, I’m afraid I can’t. That brain of yours comes from a mixture of your mother’s DNA and Simone’s upbringing.”
Taylor’s breathy giggle reached them, and Jamison buried her face in her father’s shirt to hide her grin. She couldn’t have planned this better. Earlier, she hadn’t noticed Taylor’s outfit, but the sleek green pencil skirt and tight white bodysuit were providing Carter quite the show.
“I really am a genius, but this genius needs the restroom.”
Hearing her say she had to use the bathroom, Carter paused the conversation with Taylor. “If you go, you know I’m going with you.”
She did know and wasn’t particularly excited about having the new guy listen to her pee. Nor did she want Rowan in on the action. Sensing her unease, Carter tried to negotiate. “I’ll wait outside.”
“Yeah, no. I’m not good with that idea,” her father said. “Someone could be in the restroom and grab her.”
“I’ll go with them,” Taylor offered, setting Evie’s bag down. “Carter can clear the bathroom first, and then we girls can handle business while he waits outside. Jamison will need help with that dress, anyway.”
God, she hated that Taylor was right. Her mother’s wedding gown might be easy to move around in, but positioning herself over a toilet and not getting something gross on the skirt would be impossible on her own.
Harper appeared next to them. “I can protect her if Mr. Carter gives me a weapon.”
“That’s a big fat no, Harper,” her Papa quickly replied. “No weapons before ten. We've discussed this. Repeatedly.”
Harper huffed and crossed her arms. “I think we need to reevaluate.”
