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Ameline: Almost ex-husband.
Gabe: Hey, we’ll be there soon. I would ask if you could get together an overnight bag, but you don’t have much. Do you?
Ameline: Nothing but a pair of jeans and a couple of t-shirts. I might use your washing machine tomorrow.
Gabe: I’ll have the concierge drop by tomorrow.
Ameline: What does that mean?
Gabe: We’re here. See you soon.
Chapter Eighteen
Ameline
Gabe is making it impossible to hate him.
Utterly impossible.
He arrives at the penthouse with a waffle basket. “It’s cookie dough fudge brownie, baby,” he greets, handing it to me.
I’m about to remind him I’m Ameline, not his baby, when Jude steps up and pulls me into a side hug. “Ready to drop my brother’s lame ass and run away with me yet?”
“Fuck off,” Gabe growls, gently tugging me back.
“I’m just giving her options,” Jude says with fake innocence. “Imagine how much better off you’d be with me.”
I roll my eyes and pop the lid off the ice cream. Damn, Gabriel Decker, he remembers exactly what I crave when I’m stressed. “It’s good to see you, Jude, but don’t start annoying your brother. I’m not in the mood to deal with his grumpy ass.”
Jude sighs loudly. “So, tell me about this niece we need to meet.” He glances toward the kitchen where Indie, Lyric, and Cora are decorating cookies.
“You must be her, huh?” He looks at Cora, who frowns back at him.
“I, Cora,” she says. “Who you?”
“Cora, meet Jude, Gabe’s brother,” I introduce them. “Jude, this is my niece, Cora.”
She glances between the two men, brow furrowed. “They look same.”
I set my ice cream down and lift Cora off the counter. She clings to me as we approach the brothers. “They’re twins, you already know Gabe”—I point—“and this one is Jude.”
Gabe opens his arms to her, and she leans into his embrace with an easy trust, still eyeing Jude warily.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Gabe coos softly to her. “Do you think it might be time to head to bed?”
“Whese Mommy?” Cora asks, peering over his shoulder. “And Cabeb. He needs food and tooties.”
“They’re sick, so doctors are taking care of them,” Gabe explains. “Hopefully, Caleb will be home in a few days.”
“Otay,” she mumbles.
Just then, the front door swings open, revealing Jacob and Pria. I freeze for a moment, torn. Should I snatch Cora and flee or hide behind Gabe? She wasn’t mean—quite the opposite, she was very loving. But love or not, her reluctance to have me near her son back then lingers in my mind. They probably don’t want me here.
“Mom and Dad are here too,” Indie pipes up, clapping with too much excitement. “Next thing you know, everyone will be arriving, and it’ll turn into a Decker party.”
The thought tightens my throat. “It’s probably time for me to leave,” I mumble, my eyes flickering to Gabe. “You can stay with her tonight, right?”
“Hi, Ameline,” Pria greets me warmly, while Jacob adds, “It’s good to see you, Ame.”
