Page 72 of Perfect Bragg

I nudge her toward where Moon, Eden, and Soleil are standing. “Go.”

She scowls. “Stop pushing me.”

I have to push her. She won’t leave the house otherwise. But she needs to have fun once in a while. Especially since she’s working full-time and caring for a three-month-old baby while dealing with a custody battle.

I’m perfectly happy hanging around her house with her and the baby, but I— My thoughts come to a screeching halt.

I’m perfectly happy hanging around her house with her and the baby? That can’t be right. I’m Elder. The jokester and the life of the party. I don’t sit at home on the couch watching television and movies. I go out. To the bar. To a party. To visit a friend.

Robin gurgles up at me. “I blame you, baby girl.” She coos. “Yes, you are irresistible.”

Ever since Robin came into my life, I don’t care about going out. My sole concerns are making sure the baby is taken care of and Harmony isn’t overdoing it.

Hold on. What am I thinking? I can’t be Robin’s dad. I’d make a lousy father. I’d ruin her. Or, at the very least, cause her to have huge therapy bills as an adult. Is it possible to create a trust fund for therapy bills?

Harmony giggles and I glance over at her. But damn do I want it all. I want Harmony in my bed every night and Robin sleeping in her nursery down the hall.

“We need to start up childcare during these monthly business meetings,” Ashlyn announces as she arrives with Patience on her hip.

Her husband grunts at her and she holds up a hand.

“I don’t want to hear it, Rowan. We’re both business owners. It’s unfair for one of us to stay at home.”

Ashlyn hands Patience to her husband before pushing up on her toes to kiss him. “See ya later, Jeeves.”

“I think we are the childcare,” I say once Ashlyn rushes off to join her friends.

“Yep.” Rowan isn’t much of a talker.

“Do we sit in the back so we don’t disturb everyone and can leave quietly if we need to? Or do we sit in the front and cause a racket?”

His smile is wicked. “Front.”

Good. The front is where Harmony always sits with her friends. This way I can keep an eye on her.

The second we enter the meeting room the gossip gals attack.

“I want a cuddle!”

“I want to hold them both at once!”

“I should get the first cuddle!”

“What do we do?” I ask Rowan.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“I now call the May business meeting to order,” Moon – who is the current mayor of Winter Falls – shouts.

“I better find a seat,” I say and rush away from the gossip gals while trying to appear as if I’m not running.

Rowan and I sit behind Ashlyn, Harmony, Eden, and Soleil.

“Today’s word is ‘never’,” Ashlyn announces as she hands out beers.

Ashlyn likes to ‘liven these meetings up’ with a drinking game. It’s Winter Falls. No livening up is needed.

Harmony refuses to accept a beer. “I can’t drink.”

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