Page 58 of When Alec Met Evie
I want lazy mornings in bed with my wife, a kid tucked between us. I want to make coffee for someone as easily as I make it for myself. I want to talk about a baby laughing or rolling over for the first time. I want to be adad.
I focus on Juno’s smiling face and ask myself a surprisingly hard question. Does having them around make me want this generally? Like, now that I’ve gotten a taste of having a woman and a baby in my home, I know I want it for myself with a nondescript future someone? Or did Evie and Juno stir this awake in me because I want it specifically…withthem?
It only takes a few moments of thought to decide it’s the second one. When I try to picture that future life, it isn’t with some random, faceless woman. It isn’t Riley or anyone else I’ve ever dated. It’s Evie’s face I see.
Acknowledging as much only makes the feeling intensify, and I have to take a steadying breath to keep myself from saying something out loud.
Evie is studying me closely, a curious expression on her face. “I should probably get ready to go,” she finally says, though something in her tone makes it sound like she doesn’t want the moment to end any more than I do.
“Right. Absolutely.” I sit up and look down at Juno. “Do you…” I hesitate, not wanting to impose but also knowing I’d liketo help. “Can I hang out with Juno while you do? Would that help?”
“Really?” Evie asks.
“Sure. I could take her downstairs. Watch some game tapes. See if she has any feedback for me.”
Evie laughs. “If you don't mind, that would be amazing. I would love to shower without having to worry about her.”
“I’d be happy to. I don’t have to be at the Summit until ten.”
Evie tosses off the covers and stands, and I do my best not to stare at the long stretch of her bare legs.
“Are you up for getting her dressed?” She crosses the room and rummages around in a drawer. “I already changed her diaper, so it’d be pretty easy. Onesie, stretchy pants, little socks.”
“Sure,” I say. “That sounds doable.” I stand and pick Juno up, noticing how much easier it feels. How much more comfortable I am with her in my arms. Evie hands over the clothes and walks with me to the bedroom door.
“Thank you for this,” she says. “Seriously. I shouldn’t be longer than forty-five minutes or so.”
“Take your time. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
Wearefine. More than fine. Juno is bendier than I expected her to be, and it’s pretty easy to wiggle her into her clothes and get everything snapped and adjusted. She’s still happy and smiling when her mom comes downstairs looking refreshed and more beautiful than ever.
Evie bustles around the kitchen, putting together a lunch and a few snacks to make it through her workday. She pulls several bags of milk out of the freezer, adding them to the diaper bag, then retrieves a few of Juno’s bottles from the dishwasher.
Little pieces of her, traces of her life, are present all over the house. The baby gear, the bottles, the piles of tiny laundry. The house has never felt so lived in, and I really,reallylove it.
“You’re going to do great today,” I say once I’ve walked her to the front door.
She looks up at me, blue eyes wide and brimming with hope and excitement. “Thanks.” She holds my gaze, then puts Juno’s carrier and all her bags on the ground beside her before stepping toward me and wrapping her arms around my waist. “Thanks for your help this morning.”
I hold her close, hands pressed to her back, and breathe her in.
She leans back and looks up at me, a vulnerability passing over her expression. “And last night too. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“I was happy to help,” I say, because it’s absolutely the truth.
As soon as I’m back inside, I pull out my phone and call Riley.
The faster she takes down the photos of us, the better. I want it clear to anyone who’s curious. Right now, there’s only one woman taking up space in my mind. And it’s Evie.
CHAPTER 15
THE DREAM TEAM
Eli
Yo. Alec. Requesting an update on the Evie situation.
Alec
