Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Arbor
W hen I said Hayes could buy whatever he wanted, in no way did I expect to spend the next hour picking dressers, a glider, a crib, and even the changing table he mentioned. There are two sets I really love—one in white with curved lines and another in dark chocolate with a more modern design.
They’re both hand carved, so most of the pieces will be delivered fully assembled. Well, except for the crib, but that’s because it wouldn’t fit through the door or up the stairs otherwise.
In my entire life, I’ve never had a dresser that wasn’t particle board. I’m torn between feeling guilty over the cost and letting my excitement win out.
Hayes makes the final call, going for the set that’s called midnight mocha . It’s beautiful, and I’m left feeling like my life is a little surreal.
I got lucky the night they stopped and pulled me out of the snowbank.
After the baby store, we grab food at a drive-thru chain restaurant and head to the gym.
Hayes has a client coming for a training session soon, but he eats with me in his office while I feed Gracie.
“Open,” he says, holding out a couple of fries dipped in ketchup.
I laugh and take the bite before snagging my cup to take a long swig of my soda. “I still have a free hand.”
“I know. I just really enjoy feeding you. My instincts view it as another way I can provide for you.” His thick dark curls fall over his forehead as he grins, and I almost choke on nothing.
Morris must have shared that cologne because his scent has been driving me crazy all day.
In a good way.
It’s a good type of insanity, even if I have the random urge to pounce on him at the most inopportune times.
Hayes tucks my hair behind my ear, and I nuzzle my face to his wrist, staring up at him from under my lashes. He’s so ruggedly handsome that it’s a little hard to comprehend how he could be attracted to me , but I don’t doubt that he is.
“I’ve got to get changed,” he says, sighing. “Do me a favor?”
“Yeah, whatever you need,” I say, assuming he wants me to dig into something admin related.
“Let Hael and Morris watch Gracie tonight? Not all night. Just long enough for a movie?—”
“Do I get to pick what we watch?”
“Of course.” He grins, his sharp canines digging into his lower lip.
“Then, count me in.”
“I think I got so old that I forgot what a fat stack of muscles looks like. If I swoon, make sure you catch me, dear,” Nana says, glancing behind her as she comes into Hayes’s office.
Morris is hot on her heels, and he rolls his eyes.
I’ve got Gracie on my shoulder. I never pulled her down after she burped, and I cradle her back with my hand as I stand to greet them.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” I say, briefly checking to make sure I got my boob put away after feeding Gracie.
“That’s my fault,” the older woman says, grinning. “I wanted to see the baby.”
Morris scoffs. “Her car needs a new tire. I told her I would have it towed into the shop, but she decided to drive herself.” He tosses a thumb at Nana. “The first question she asked was where you and Gracie are.”
I laugh, crossing the room. “Would you like to hold her? She’s asleep. I doubt she’ll wake up anytime soon. She just finished nursing.”
Nana nods, carefully plucking Gracie from my chest with aged hands. She pulls her to the crook of her arm with the skill of a longtime mother and grandma.
“She has such dark lashes and so much hair.” She dips her head, breathing deeply. “And she still has that newborn smell. I don’t know how you handle it.” She laughs, meeting my eyes. “I promise not to pinch her cheeks, but it is tempting.”
Morris saunters over, pulling me in for a hug. “How was your date?”
“It was great. We got a crib for Gracie, but it won’t be delivered for a few days.” I wrap my arms around his lower back, giving him a squeeze.
He bends and kisses my forehead. “I’m about to drop Nana off at her house. How about I bring Gracie home with me? You said she just ate, and I’ve got the other car seat in my truck…”
My pulse picks up.
I’m getting better at being away from her for short periods, but it’s still tough. At the same time, I trust Morris implicitly when he’s driving us around. He would be just as safe and vigilant, even if I’m not in the car; I have no doubt in my mind.
“I’ll sit in the back with the little one,” Nana says. “At least until you drop me off.”
“No pressure.” Morris rumbles in his low, growly tone. “It’s your call. I just thought it might be nice for you and Hayes to have a little time to yourselves.”
My face rolls around his shirt, and I nod. “Yeah, if you don’t mind, that sounds good.”
“I don’t mind a bit. I relish getting to spend time with her,” Morris says, and his words make my knees weak.
He’s just so easy to believe.
Walking through the gym to help Morris get Gracie into the car is a humbling lesson.
My eyes stay glued to Hayes’s chest as he spars with his training client…until I slam right into Morris’s back when he stops abruptly. He’s holding Gracie, but luckily, he’s built like a tank, so it’s only an embarrassing moment, not a dangerous one.
We make it out to his truck, and he starts it while Nana climbs into the back passenger seat, and I get Gracie buckled into her car seat. I thought it was kinda crazy when I realized they bought a second one a few weeks ago, but not constantly having to transfer it to the other vehicles does make my life easier.
I give Gracie a kiss, say goodbye to Nana, and shut the door, only to turn around and face-plant into Morris’s chest.
He chuckles. “Whoa, sweetheart.” When his palm comes to rest on my lower back, I stretch up to kiss him. The height difference is damn inconvenient at times, but he meets me in the middle for an enjoyable but quick kiss. “I’ll be happy to feed Gracie a bottle if you and Hayes want to grab some dinner after his session.”
“Hayes mentioned watching a movie at home tonight, but I’ll ask, or maybe we can grab takeout for all of us.” I shrug, running my fingers over Morris’s T-shirt. “Thank you for being an incredible boyfriend and taking her home with you.”
Morris growls, slapping my ass. “She’s mine too. My name is on the birth certificate, and I don’t give a shit that none of us contributed DNA. Hael and Hayes feel the same way.” He captures my lips again for another quick kiss and pulls back. Goose bumps break out on my skin as he grins. “Have fun with Hayes.”