Page 103 of One Night with Number Nineteen

But he doesn’t.

Instead, he just draws me into the circle of his arms and asks, “How’s The Book That Shall Not Be Written going?”

“It’s almost ready for you to read it,” I whisper.

His eyes lock with mine, something warm and unreadable sliding through the blue depths. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I say.

The moment stretches, no words filling the air.

And then we’re talking about everything and nothing—the team, the upcoming schedule, his auction prize for Bri’s shelter (lunch with the highest bidders), Ollie’s upcoming winter concert, my plans for the book I actually have to write for my deadline, and how much real Ollie loves his stuffed grumpy Ollie.

It’s…peaceful and easy and us.

And I really, really like it.

Maybe I love it.

Especially when we lie on the couch, watching through the windows as the sky slowly lightens.

Just before dawn, our phones buzz in unison.

We reach for them together, look at the message that’s just hit the Grizzlies group chat.

Then our eyes lock, smiles growing.

He touches my cheek, brushes his lips over mine.

“Well, Pages, should we get ready to meet Reed Richardson?”

Thirty-One

Sawyer

I knock softly and Leo glances up from across the room.

Fuck, the look on his face as he holds his baby…

It kills in the best possible way.

He tilts his head to the side, silently telling me to come over, and I realize why it’s silent a moment later when I see Harper sleeping.

“Hey,” I murmur as I get close. “How’s everybody feeling?”

“Good,” he says. “Especially now that Harper’s getting some rest.”

I reach forward then stop myself and head for the hand sanitizer instead. By the time I make it back, Lainey’s already done the same and Leo’s passing baby Reed over to her.

“God, he’s adorable,” she whispers, running a finger over his tiny nose. “I always forget how small newborns are. How’d the delivery go?” she asks Leo.

“I don’t know how you women do it,” he says. “But no complications on either side.”

Lainey’s face goes soft. “And now she’s getting some rest. My advice?”

He nods.

“Help her get as much of it as possible.”