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“Good, you can put all of them to the test since your kid refuses to eat.” Mia laughingly handed her daughter, Penelope, over. “She's fussy, won't eat, and thinks she's going to be on American Idol with those lungs.”
Mia sagged against the hallway wall and released a thankful sigh as Lexi bundled Penelope into her arms and peppered the fussy baby with kisses until she let out a high-pitched giggle.
“Come on, Pen, let's show these folks how it's done.”
“You're the best,” her friend mumbled, stifling a yawn. “I’m going to shower, I didn’t eat dinner yet if you want to order something.”
Lexi shrugged her jacket off, juggling the baby in her arms. “Don’t let Nolan find out you didn’t eat. You won’t be able to sit for a week after that.”
Mia’s eyes rounded, and she gazed up wistfully. “I know. He's been working so much, I might aim for two.”
“You look like you're ready to sleep through it.”
“Trust me, if I didn't change the sheets this morning, I'd be going to bed just like this. Haphazard hair, spit-up shirt, and all.” Mia paused, looking over at Penny with a smile. “I love you, kid, I forgot how tiring it was to be twenty-four-seven entertainment and a milk machine.”
“Stop being hard on yourself. We weren’t running a business when you had an infant last time. I’m glad the kitchen remodel was done before you popped so we don’t have to go anywhere for prep or planning.”
“God yes!” Mia cheered from the hallway as she headed toward her bedroom, pausing only long enough to close Zander’s bedroom door.
Turning into the kitchen, Lexi gathered a drink for herself and a bottle for Penelope. She shut the lights off, heading into the living room.
Lexi carried Penelope to the couch, cradling her over her knees. “What am I gonna do, Pen?” Blue eyes looked up at her, laughing and grasping at the bottle Lexi held to her lips. “Okay, so listen. We gotta talk since it's just us girls.” Her voice was casual as if the tiny infant would reply intelligently. “I know you love Uncle Noah.” Lexi adjusted the blanket, and her thumb was captured by a tiny fist as she continued to whisper. “I do too, so much kid.” She swallowed thickly, pressing her lips together. “I wanna be worthy of him. Need to be everything he deserves.”
“Ah! Ah!”
“Don’t start sassing me so quick, missy,” she mock scolded , rocking the baby on her thighs. “We’re going to have these talks for a long time.” She was rewarded with a giggle from Penelope who blew milk bubbles with her mouth.
“Auntie business and all.”
Penelope laughed, grasping Lexi’s index fingers tightly.
***
T he next morning, Lexi leaned against the corner seat in Mia’s kitchen with her eyes closed, both hands wrapped around her mug. Her phone vibrated face down with the fourth notification of the morning, work calls could wait until she was properly infused with caffeine.
Another message tone echoed against the table, the custom tone gave away its sender. It was Noah’s special tone.
What am I doing? At this point, she wasn’t sure.
They’d been woken up way too early this morning. Mia had forgotten that Wes was coming to get measurements for the custom countertop she wanted for the new island.
She’d mentioned to Nolan, in passing, how much she loved the live edge that was put into one of the side bars at Surrender, and within the week, Wes had contacted her to set up whatever her heart desired.
While Mia looked at samples in the back of his truck, Lexi was in the kitchen by herself, getting lost in thought. Her mind replayed her date with Noah over and over, filling her with guilt. “I’m such an ogre,” she mumbled to herself.
“You're not an ogre. Okay, maybe without coffee.”
“Jesus Christ, you scared the shit out of me, Mia.”
“Sorry? What’s got you so deep in thought this early in the morning?”
Lexi shrugged, hoping to brush off the too-early inquisition.
“You know that doesn’t wor—” Thank God, Mia’s phone rang, blissfully diverting the attention away and giving her a chance to breathe.
“No, Daddy, I’m fine. I’m not alone, Lexi is here. Nothing’s wrong, I promise. No, I don't know why. She said Noah wasn't home. I know,” Mia lowered her voice and turned away from the table. “I don't think they had a fight. She would have said something…” Mia slipped out of the room, dodging a zooming Zander as he made a beeline to Lexi.
“Hey, kiddo!”
