Page 81 of Make it a Double

She texted back instantly, like she had been waiting for my text to come through.

Sawyer:

I’ll call Olivia off the hunt then

Sawyer:

Dinner tonight?

I smiled. We’d eaten dinner together every night since we’d gone to Duke and Liv’s. It’d been nice to have some semblance of a routine and normalcy. I just hated how quiet it was when she left.

Me:

See you at 6:00.

“You done?” I looked up to see Duke watching me expectantly. The baby doll was tucked in the crook of one arm, while his other hand held up a baby bottle. “We’ve got a lot of shit to cover in a small amount of time. Get your head in the game.”

Pocketing my phone, I walked toward the island and plucked my coffee from Lukas’ grip. He protested as I brought it to my lips and took a sip. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

“Hell yeah! That’s the spirit,” Lukas said, holding his hand up for a high-five. “We’re gonna turn you into the biggest, baddest, sexiest daddy out there.”

Duke groaned. “Why do you have to make shit weird?”

“It’s what I do best.” Lukas shrugged, walking around the counter to grab a new cup from the cabinet. “But you know what’s weird for me? Being back here after building this thing. I don’t normally get to see the final product. It’s nice.”

The cabin really was nice, but I was starting to wish for something a bit more permanent. If I was really staying here, I needed to plant roots. I couldn’t live in this rental forever. “It’s great for the time being,” I said. “I’m starting to get a little homesick, though.”

Duke jerked his head up. “You thinking about leaving?”

“No,” I said quickly. The last thing I wanted was for him to believe I’d not only bail on Sawyer, but our son, too. “The opposite actually. I was kind of thinking about getting something a little more permanent.”

It was the obvious next step for me. I wanted something special. Something that Sawyer and I could decorate however we wanted. Images of her and me picking out nursery colors and cribs flashed before my eyes. She deserved to make a place her home rather than cramming everything she owned in one tiny room in a rundown trailer.

Lukas rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Are you wanting to build something new, or find something with good bones?”

I’d spent my entire life in brand-new homes, which seemed like an odd thing to complain about, but I wanted something different. Something with personality. “Good bones, I think.”

“There aren’t many homes that go on the market in Pinecrest, but I’ll make a few calls and see what I can do.” He quirked a brow. “Dare I ask for a budget?”

I shook my head. Money didn’t matter. This wasn’t something I could put a price on. “Whatever it takes.”

BECKETT

Lights cut across the living room as Sawyer pulled into the spot beside mine. Our matching pair looked so good. Even she couldn’t deny that when she saw them together. I think she liked her present a whole lot more than she was letting on.

My girl was stubborn like that.

I reached for the stereo remote, turning down my music and bracing my weight on the counter as she stepped inside. Her hair was down, cascading over one shoulder as she used the wall as leverage to kick off her shoes. When she looked up to find me watching her, she smiled and tucked the strands behind her ear.

“Hi,” I breathed, opening my arms as she padded toward me. “How was your day, sugar?”

“Long,” she said into my chest. “I’m so bored, Beckett. I was not meant to stare at a screen all day. How am I supposed to do this for nine more weeks?”

I laughed, pressing a kiss to her head. “You can do it. You’re strong.”

“I don’t want to be anymore,” she groaned, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I’m tired.”

My hand trailed down her back. Having her in my arms after a very weird day was better than any sip of alcohol. Beneath the hoppy scent clinging to her clothes, I could make out the faint hint of cherries near her temple. My nose ran along the spot, searching for more of the sweet fruit that had become the object of my obsession since August.