Page 66 of Moonlight & Matrimony
Paige shakes her head in disbelief. “You’re both terrible liars. And just to be clear, I’m not mad. You’re grown ass adults with needs and you’re living under the same roof — none of this is a shock. But if either one of you hurts the other, I’m Switzerland and you’ll have to work that shit out on your own.”
“Noted.” Luca sinks down beside me on the sofa, leaning over to place a soft kiss on his niece’s forehead. The gesture sends my heart fluttering for reasons I’m not willing to entertain. And judging by the piercing stare from Paige on the other end of the sectional, my reaction isn’t subtle. She takes two fingers, pointing them at her eyes and back at me, then makes an obnoxious kissy face.
I mouth the words ‘fuck you’ in response, and she giggles.
“What are you laughing at, Sunshine?” Cade flops down on the couch, startling his daughter awake. Her little eyes go wide and she lets out a loud screech.
“Oof. You’ve got some lungs on you, Sof,” Luca says. “Mind if I take her?”
I nod and Luca carefully lifts her from my arms, gently rocking her back and forth, and she immediately settles for him. I get it. He has that same calming effect on me, too.
“What’d I miss?” Cade asks as he pulls Paige into his side.
She looks up at him with unabashed affection. “I just found out my brother and my best friend are boning.”
“Ah. That was obvious weeks ago,” he smirks.
Paige smacks him on the chest, scowling. “What the fuck? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just assumed you knew. They aren’t very subtle.” I lift a middle finger, discreetly adjusting my glasses with it. Cade catches on and chuckles. “What? You think Miles was the only one who noticed you eye fucking each other at the bar?” he adds.
Paige snorts and I pin them with a glare. “Your parents suck, Sofia.”
“Hey now! I was going to ask you to be her godmother, but now I’m not so sure.”
I shoot up from my seat, wincing as the sudden movement jostles Sofia slightly, but she remains content in Luca’s arms, completely unfazed. “What?”
“Godparents. You and Luca, if you’re ok with it. We just want to make sure she’s taken care of if… well, you know.”
“Paige.” My voice is hoarse, tears gathering along my lashes. “Are you sure? With everything going on, you don’t want to ask someone else?”
“None of that is your fault, Ivy. You’re the best mom, and I know you’ll take care of her like she’s your own. I can’t think of anyone I'd rather have caring for my girl if I can’t. It’s all hypothetical, anyway. So, will you?”
“I’d be honored.”
“Luca?”
“Yeah,” he croaks. I glance down at him, taking in the glassy sheen to his eyes as he rocks little Sofia back and forth in his arms, her tiny head cradled in his giant palm. “I’d love that.”
I pull Paige into a crushing hug, tears flowing freely now. “You’re not going anywhere, but I hope you know I already loveher like she’s my own. And I know we don’t say it enough, but I love you, Paige. I’m beyond grateful to call you a friend.”
Paige chokes out an "I love you, too," her tears mingling with mine. The moment is shattered when Sofia's face scrunches up, turning red for a split second before she lets out a loud fart, and the room bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
Paige glances at Cade, a mischievous gleam in her eye. “She getsthatfrom her dad.”
Luca
“Slow down, Ry,” Ivy pleads, as Rylin darts across the ranch towards the petting zoo. The Oak Ridge Fall Festival is in full swing, and Rylin’s uncontained excitement is palpable.
“Hurry, Mommy! Luca! You have to see the babies!”
She’s pretty fast for a 4-year-old, but her little legs are no match for me as I speed after her, tossing her into the air as soon as I catch up. Her nose crinkles, a rush of pure, infectious joy radiating from her tiny frame, as her melodic giggles fill the air.
“Listen to your Mommy, okay?”
“Okay.”
In one smooth motion, I hoist her into my arms, setting free a squeal of delight as I settle her securely on my broad shoulders, her little legs dangling on either side of my neck. I gently hold on to her ankles, and her hands wrap around my head as she clings to me for safety.
