“Thanks,” I murmured, reaching for it.
Inside, I found two Styrofoam cups of coffee, two bagels with cream cheese, a banana, and an avocado.
I looked up at Cal questioningly.
“The avocado and banana are for Bubs. I remember you saying he liked them.”
His thoughtfulness combined with him using Mason’s nickname was about to slay the rest of my carefully stitched together emotions.
Somewhere along the way a lot of the guys had started calling Mason “Bubs.” I’d resisted at first but it had stuck. With his chubby cheeks and deep baby chuckle it did sort of fit.
I blinked back the tears blurring my vision. “Thanks,” I replied hoarsely, turning my back on him and busying myself with preparing our breakfast.
I felt his heat at my back as he moved in close, Mason still in his arms. “Baby.” His voice was full of tenderness.
I shook my head, refusing to turn around. “I’m good. Just need a minute.”
His hand grasped my shoulder. “You don’t have to be. Good, I mean. You haven’t told me much about your grandma, but anyone can see you loved her.”
“I did,” I agreed gruffly. “Loving her means that I need to get through today. I need to be strong for Max and Emmie. I need to try not to throttle their mother,” I muttered dryly. “I can fall apart later. Not today.” I shook my head firmly.
The silence stretched as his hand remained sure and strong on my shoulder. “All right, I get you.” He agreed just as his phone rang. “A minute, baby.”
I turned to pull Mason into my arms as Cal answered his phone with a barked “Yeah?”
And with that he was in full Prez mode.
I fed Mason half listening to Cal’s side of the conversation. He was obviously talking to one of the guys, approving some sort of decision.
“I’ve got important shit going on today, keep the guys off me,” he ordered as the conversation was wrapping up. He nodded, listening. “Tell her Jill is fine. I’ve got her.”
His gaze cut to me as my belly pitched in response.
“Good.” He continued his conversation, his eyes still on mine. “I’ll check in with you later.” He hung up without preamble.
“Everything good?” I asked tentatively.
He nodded. “Axel.”
That made sense since Sophie would be worrying about me. I handed him his coffee, trying not to stare. I’d never wanted to be a plastic lid so badly until I watched as his luscious mouth sipped his coffee. His gaze met mine and I looked away quickly, embarrassed that he’d caught me ogling.
I gathered up the dress I’d brought for the funeral. “If it’s okay with you I’ll hop in the shower. Mason should be okay for a few minutes.”
“We’re good. Take your time,” he assured me as I busied myself with anything but looking at him.
The space suddenly felt too small, too warm, too… male.
I emerged a short time later dressed in a figure-hugging A-line black dress and black heels I rarely wore. I’d put my long dark hair up into a bun and applied a light amount of makeup. Lord knew I needed it to cover the circles under my eyes from lack of sleep.
“You look beautiful.” Cal’s appreciative murmur made my blush flare up yet again.
I moved anxiously around the room, packing us up since we wouldn’t be back following the funeral. “Thank you,” I replied, knowing I needed to say something despite feeling out of my depth. “I need to get Mason dressed,” I continued, wanting to push past the feeling of longing his words incited.
I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had told me I was beautiful.
He watched me intently from his seat on the edge of the bed where he held Mason in his lap. I noticed belatedly that he was more dressed up than usual. He wore black jeans rather than his standard blue, and a button-up shirt.
“You look nice, too,” I blurted.
