Page 19 of Blake Marshall Says He Needs Me

“Special,” Missy sighed.

“That she is,” I sighed.

“Who needs a ride home?” Blake called as he pushed a stroller into the room. “Uncle Blake is here to save the day.”

“Blake,” Missy laughed. “Please tell me you did not buy us a stroller.”

Blake paused for a second, his eyes on me. He snapped out of it and plastered a smile on his face. “Oh, come on. Isn’t this what godparents are supposed to do? I got the best stroller on the market.”

“Please tell me you remembered to grab the car seat,” Charlie laughed.

Blake dipped out of the room and reappeared with the car seat on his arm. “Bro, did you really think I would forget the most important thing?”

“Uncle Blake to the rescue,” Charlie cooed to Clara.

“So, are you guys ready?” Blake asked. “The doctor cleared you to go home?” His eyes connected with mine.

“Oh, uh, I’m not the one doing that. I mean, I’m Missy and Clara’s doctor, but since she had the baby in Adams, it’s up to the doctor on call for their discharge. She should be going home soon, though. I can go check at the front desk.” I jumped up and grabbed my coat. “Why don’t I go do that right now.” I shrugged on my coat. “Light a fire under their butts, huh?” My god, could I please stop rambling?

“You can check,” Missy laughed, “but don’t wander too far. We’re having a little get-together tonight, and your butt better be there.”

“Missy, you should just go home and settle in,” I advised.

“That’s what I said,” Blake drawled.

“It’s just the godparents,” Missy sighed. “And then tomorrow, the grandparents decide on us. Tonight is going to be your best shot at a chance to hold Clara before the grandma’s takeover.”

“You guys better be there,” Charlie called. “I’m already having a slight panic attack about being alone with Clara tonight.”

“You’ll be fine,” I promised. “I’m your doctor, and I would tell you if I was concerned for Clara’s well-being.”

“Uh, thank you?” Missy laughed. “I think that was a compliment.”

I patted her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “It was, I promise. I’m going to check on the discharge, and then I’ll just see you at your house later, okay?” If they were having a little welcome home party, I needed to hit up the store and not come empty-handed.

I skirted around Blake and ducked out the door.

We were going to have to figure out how to co-exist somehow, but right now, I was just into running whenever he was around.

It hurt my heart less that way.

Chapter Ten

Blake

“Are you guys not talking to me?”

Missy folded her arms over her chest.

Charlie rocked Clara in his arms.

“Are you guys that mad that I bought you a stroller? It was on your damn registry.” I moved the stroller back and forth. “It’s not the one you guys asked for, but it’s way better than that hooptie you wanted.” I knew I had gone off the hip with a different stroller, but I had really researched this thing and knew it was top-of-the-line. “And it even has little pink accents.”

Missy glared at me, and Charlie looked at me knowingly. The thing was, I had no idea what he was trying to tell me.

“Can one of you tell me what the hell is going on?” I demanded. “I came here to spring you, and now you’re not even talking to me.”

“Because you’re being a butt to Shannon,” Missy finally revealed.

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