Page 83 of An Unfinished Memory

“No, hon. I do. I did. I mean, I would love to, but everyone’s bodies are different, and mine doesn’t make them as easy as others.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “You’d be a good mommy. And Uncle Wilder would be a good daddy.”

I exhaled a laugh and hoped she wouldn’t continue the conversation.

“If you could make babies easy, would you?”

Oof. She wasn’t done with her questions.

“I don’t know. I’m getting older, and that usually makes it harder.”

“You’re not old, Aunt Sutton.”

“I’m not married either.”

“Tova said you don’t have to be married to have babies.”

I laughed, an awkward, quiet sound in the room. I often forgot all the explanations and clarifications the kids wanted. “She’s right. I guess I planned to be married when I had babies.”

“But you and Uncle Wilder are divorced.” The dejection in her voice was heavy.

“Yeah,” I said, almost as let down as her. “We are.”

“But if it was easy, would you?”

Would I? In a perfect world, yes. I’d be married to Wilder. He’d be by my side for every appointment. He’d be so reliable, I wouldn’t question his presence. I didn’t have a crystal ball, but I saw none of that in my future.

“The only easy part about babies is making them.” Oh, crap. What conversations did I just set Cody and Tova up for? I grimaced, grateful the only light was from the hallway. I looked at Ivy, but her eyes were closed and breath puffedout of her lips.

Whew. I cut that one close.

I waited a few moments and then slowly rolled up and snuck out of her room. I stopped at Grayson’s door, but only heard his steady breaths. Wilder had seen to his bedtime.

I crept downstairs. A light shone next to the back door. I found Wilder in the laundry room, folding towels. He’d taken his hoodie off and was just in a black T-shirt. His biceps bunched every time he bent his arms. I was here for the arm porn.

I leaned against the door. “Ivy was seconds away from asking me how babies are made before she fell asleep.”

“You’d have to tell her we’re just the babysitters. Their parents get to teach the birds and the bees after they finish with the repercussions of it.”

I moved in to help him fold, enjoying the heavy domesticity we got to experience together.

“There’s a load in the dryer, but I saw women’s panties and backed all the way out.”

I laughed. “Glad to hear you don’t shove anyone else’s underwear in your pocket.”

“Don’t think I won’t stuff yours in my pocket right now.” He tossed his towel on the perfectly folded pile and faced me. “That door has a lock.”

I walked backward and closed the door. The lock clicked loudly in the room. “I told Ivy the easiest part about babies was making them.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Doc, are you calling me easy?”

“I happen to be the same way around you, and it’s been three weeks since we did anything.”

“You got off nice and loud over the phone earlier this week.” He crowded me against the door. “You saidyou pretended it was my tongue licking your sweet little clit.”

My heart beat faster, and heat flooded between my thighs. My hoodie turned stifling, but Wilder would probably take care of that soon.

I twined my arms around his neck and pulled his head down. When his lips landed on mine, I groaned. Three weeks shouldn’t feel like forever when it came to Wilder, but it was.

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