Page 30 of All That Lies Ahead

“Of you? Never.”

When his hands start to roam, I swat them away and pull back, my cheeks warming at the uncomfortable look the woman at the cash register shoots my way.

“You’re going to get us kicked out of a baby store,” I mutter, doing my best to tuck away my smile and appear serious.

“But it’d be a great story to tell Bertha someday.”

My laugh is so loud that the woman does another take, this time looking a little less patient. “Sorry!” I call to her, but she just snaps her head in the other direction and pretends to be sorting hangers.

Chase looks amused over the whole thing as he tucks the package of swaddles under his arm and turns to the toys. While we’re sorting through them, he suddenly turns to me and says, “For what it’s worth, I think you’re going to be an amazing mom.”

“Where did that come from?” I ask, taken aback by his words. He leans against the shelf, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at me like he’s seeing me for the first time.

“Earlier, when we first got here, you said you didn’t know how to be a mom. And I just wanted you to know that you’re going to do great. There’s no doubt in my mind you’ll make the best mother to our baby.” He presses his lips to mine.

The kiss is sweet and lazy, full of promise and affection and some other feeling that makes my chest ache in the most beautiful way.

When he pulls away, I’m breathless, and he’s the brand-new owner of an old, beat-up heart that he’s somehow piecing back together.

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