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And Zy felt like a deadbeat for not joining in, at least to watch their sixes. “Where? To do what?”
“Not sure yet. Colonel hasn’t filled us in. He says it’s pretty standard. But his new wife seems pissed.”
Too much pushback from the missus, and Edgington really might ditch his business to keep the peace. “Shit.”
“Anyway, I’ll let you know when we’re back.”
“Yeah. I’ll want to hear everything, especially if it has anything to do with the debacle in Mexico.”
“You got it. Later, Zy.”
“Later. Stay safe, huh?”
“Always.”
Trees ended the call. Behind Zy, the bedroom door opened, and he turned to find Tessa emerging, Hallie half-asleep in her arms.
She glanced at the rice cooker on the island and frowned. “You started dinner?”
“Yeah. No reason to wait.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
She said that a lot. “No sweat. You’re busy, you’re tired, and you don’t need to wait on me. I’m eating, too. So I took a stab at meal prep. The grill is heating up. Rice is on. Broccoli is ready to nuke.”
“And you set the table.” She looked ready to cry.
Zy edged closer. “I was trying to be helpful, but—”
“You are.” She sniffled.
What the hell was wrong with her? “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you. Have a seat on the couch. Play with Hallie. I’m going to throw the chicken on the grill. We’ll probably be ready to eat in ten.”
“Thank you.” Tessa opened her mouth as if she had a million more things to say, but her gorgeous green eyes communicated everything her words didn’t. “Really.”
He got it now. No one had taken care of her in a long while, and it fucking irritated him, even as he hurt for her. Zy cleared his throat and turned away. If he didn’t, he’d probably do something stupid like put his arms around her and press his lips to hers. He’d ask her forgiveness later.
Soon, they sat at the table while Hallie cooed happily in her baby swing. The silence between them bugged the shit out of Zy.
“Chicken okay?”
“It’s perfect. It’s so juicy. You’ll have to show me your secret. I’ve been guilty of slow grilling things until they’re cardboard.”
“You’ve got to sear it.” He took another bite. “You go back to work Monday?”
Tessa nodded. “I have a daycare lined up. They encouraged me to bring Hallie there a couple of days this week for a few hours so she can get used to the environment gradually, but I can’t imagine just handing her over to a stranger.”
“I’m sure, but she’ll be fine. These people are trained to take good care of the kids.”
“Yeah…but she’s just a baby.” And the thought of leaving Hallie had Tessa looking ready to cry.
Fuck, that expression hurt him. “You’d rather stay home with her.”
“I wish I could, but…” She pasted on a brave smile. “I’m not the first working mom to face this choice. And it will feel good to be back in the office.”
After that, she went quiet again, and he wished he could think of some way to make her smile.
Once they’d finished dinner and before the sun fell, he suggested a walk around the block. He wasn’t used to sitting around this much, and he was half convinced the fresh air would do Tessa good. And since Hallie seemed ready to nod off again, the cool wind in her face might keep the baby awake a while longer.
So they left the dishes and fetched the stroller, taking a few laps around the neighborhood until dusk crept in and Tessa shivered with the encroaching wind.
Inside, she gave Hallie a bath, then hopped in the shower herself. As Zy had last night, he did the dishes. When Tessa and the baby emerged, clean and ready for bed, the three of them passed a few hours with mindless sitcoms and an occasional game of peekaboo with Hallie.
Zy was used to quiet, solo evenings at home. He didn’t like bars unless he was playing a competitive game of pool. But this sort of night in was different. It wasn’t his usual empty silence broken only by a canned laugh track. It wasn’t still except for his own footfalls over his floorboards as he paced. And thank fuck it wasn’t his crappy motel with its cheap, cookie-cutter furniture. Despite the baby things strewn around the living room, from blankets to burp cloths, this felt real. It felt like a home.
He’d never really had that.
By nine thirty, Tessa looked ready to nod off in her recliner, so she stood, cradling Hallie. “Guess we’re heading to bed. She’s been awake for a few hours. Thanks for your help. Hopefully, she’ll sleep tonight.”
“I hope you both will.” They needed it. “But if you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks. I’m just happy Cash hasn’t seen fit to show his face again.”
Zy was almost disappointed. He had a few words to he’d love to say to the asshole. “Night.”
