Page 104 of Irreplaceable

“The baby has hiccups.”

I kissed her. “Ti amo.”

“I love you too.” Her shoulders slumped, some of the fight going out of her. “And I’m sorry if I bit your head off. I’m tired.”

“I bet I know what would help,” I said.

“Let me guess,” she said in a teasing tone. “More sex?”

“Always.” I pulled her closer. “But I was thinking of breakfast.”

She laughed. “Yes. Breakfast would be great.”

We got ready, and I called Nico to arrange to have a driver to take us to the store so we could finish the registry. Harper and I spent the drive catching up on the past week and enjoying our breakfast sandwiches. We were planning to spend Thanksgiving at Juliana’s house, along with Alexis, Lauren, Olivia, and their families. I was looking forward to all the new traditions we’d be starting as a family.

When we arrived at the store, the staff had been kind enough to close so we could shop privately. But there were still a few paparazzi outside waiting to take our picture. I placed my hand on Harper’s back, ignoring them until we were inside.

“What the hell is this?” I asked, turning over a package.

“It’s a—” Harper ripped the item out of my hand and placed it back on the shelf. She lowered her voice, forcing a smile for the saleswoman watching us from the front. “It’s a travel breast pump.”

I grunted and pointed the scanner at the price tag on a nearby stroller. It had a leather covering and seemed entirely impractical, but that wasn’t the point. It was gorgeous and lightweight—a thing of beauty. Like the Ferrari of baby strollers, and Harper would look damn good pushing it.

“Enzo!” She spun on me with wide eyes. “What the hell? A five-thousand-dollar stroller, that’s insane.”

Was it? Five thousand dollars was nothing to me. Not like the happiness I knew it would bring Harper.

“Is everything okay?” The employee from earlier approached, batting her eyes as she glanced up at me.

“We were just admiring this stroller. Can you tell us about its features?”

“I’d love to.” She smiled like a lion eyeing its dinner, ready to pounce on her prey.

“Thank you.” Harper smiled brightly. “But I’ve researched everything thoroughly, and I know what I’d like.” She turned to me, and even though she was dismissing the stroller, it felt as if she were talking about me.

I crossed my arms over my chest, enjoying the way her eyes darted there. The way her skin flushed. God, she was gorgeous. And maddening.

“It’s top-of-the-line,” the saleswoman said.

“See?” I held up my hands. “Top-of-the-line means it’s the best. And my baby deserves the best.”

“My baby deserves a college fund. I’m not blowing five grand on a stroller he’ll outgrow in three years.”

“I, um, I think I’ll give you two a minute,” the saleswoman said, smiling tightly as she backed away.

“I know it’s the one you want,” I said to Harper after she’d gone.

“Oh yeah?” Harper crossed her arms over her chest. It had the effect of pushing her breasts even higher. Which, in turn, made my mouth water and my cock stir.

“Uccellina, what’s really bothering you?” I furrowed my brow, guiding her over to a chair nearby.

“I’m used to being thrifty. To watching every penny I spend. I research my purchases. So when you come in and say ‘we need xyz,’ it feels like you’re doubting my opinion.”

“I’m not doubting your opinion. I’m sorry if I made you feel as if I am.”

When she nodded, I said, “And I know that you stress about money. I wish you wouldn’t. I want you to have exactly what you want.”

“But that only feeds into what people are saying about me.”

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