My lips twist. “I know. She sleeps at the daycare, but it’s not like her own bed. We both crash for a few hours after a night shift. Then I keep her awake until bedtime.”
His lips tighten, and I know he wants to bring up having one of them watch her at night, but he doesn’t, carefully removing her shoes and tucking her into her bed in silence.
We tiptoe out, closing the door behind us. “She loves that bed so much, Colt. We’ve slept together for the last two years, so I thought for sure she’d have a hard time transitioning to her own room.”
“She didn’t?” he asks.
“Not really. A couple of nights I needed to crawl in with her, but mostly, she’s been excited to sleep in her very own princess bed every night.”
Colt smiles, his chest puffing out. “She’s such a good girl.”
“Yeah,” I breathe. “She is.”
With amusement, I watch him stand there, planted, clearly waiting for a signal from me to leave. They were right. It’s been me shutting this down the whole time.
“Colt,” I say, clearing my suddenly tight throat. “Do…would you take me up to the gym later today? Maybe show me around some of the equipment? I’d like to work out, I think.”
His eyebrows arrow down. “You’re not trying to lose weight, are you?”
The vehemence in his tone shocks me. “Ah…no.” His face relaxes and I draw my bravery around me, imagining it like a superhero cape over my shoulders. “Actually, I’ll probably end up back at the weight I used to be.”
His eyes heat and my toes curl in my sneakers. “Good.” He mutters, eyes sliding down my body.
I move to the patio door, opening it to let a bit of cool air in. It’s too warm in here.
“Yes, well.” Rubbing my hands down the front of my scrubs, I gather my scattered thoughts. “I’m used to feeling…strong. I think building some strength up would be good. I’m used to being active, but I’ve never really been a gym person.”
“What time do you want me to come get you?” he asks, prowling towards me.
“Maybe later this afternoon. I…um, thought about asking someone to watch Mia for a couple of hours while we’re up there.” I haven’t left her with anyone. Not once since I got here.
He freezes. My words are unexpected. His eyes are like saucers, then he’s a flurry of activity, whipping out his phone, fingers flying.
Message notifications pour in until they sound like one continuous chime.
Laughing, he looks up, pinning me with warm eyes. “Every single one of my brothers and the women have volunteered to babysit.”
“Wow. Ok. Maybe—.“
Soft knocks and scratches come from the door. Puzzled, I head over, looking through the peephole. Becca and Kade are on the other side, disheveled, half-dressed, whispering frantically. Becca isn’t wearing any pants. “Can I help you?” I ask, swinging it open.
“We’ll do it. Us.” Kade says, pointing between the two of them.
“Yep. Us. We’ll take care of her. I won’t let Kade anywhere near the kitchen. I’ll make tacos. She’ll be so safe. Can we keep her for supper?” Becca’s eyes are wide, manic. Kade is nodding behind her.
“Jesus. Did you run down here? Ah, well o—.“ The elevator chimes and Ransom and Declan storm off.
“You fuckers,” Declan hisses. “I knew you’d try to snatch her. We need a turn, too.”
“You can’t hog her,” Ransom says firmly, standing shoulder to shoulder with Declan. The two of them look like they’re about to battle for the right to watch my daughter.
“We’ve been waiting patiently, dude! No one’s had a turn yet!” Becca complains to Ransom.
I feel Colton’s heat at my back. He’s chuckling, the warm rumbles caressing my ears. I really want to get him alone. Spend some real time with him.
“Stop,” I say, halting the argument in front of me. It was escalating into shoving. “Clearly, you all have been jonesing for some Mia time. I get it, she’s totally yummy. Tonight, I would suggest you all watch her. Have dinner together. She’s fun, but it’s a lot of work taking care of a toddler. You’ll need to team up.”
They’re winding up for another argument, so I cross my arms and raise my eyebrow, shutting it down.