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Laughing, Brooke stood up and took Connor’s hand. Connor looked around to Gavin and held out his other hand.
Gavin took the small hand in his before he looked at Brooke. Her eyes were suspiciously bright. So what was a guy to do but kiss her again?
“Again?” Connor sighed as they walked into the living room where the rest of the family were waiting.
Gavin ruffled Connor’s hair. “Told you: I really, really like your mom.”
Connor stopped. “Mom, if Gavin likes you, can he be my new dad? And if I have a new dad, then what about a—”
Brooke quickly put a hand over Connor’s mouth. The last thing she wanted Gavin to hear was her son talking about babies. “Uncle Gavin and I like each other, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be your new dad, okay?”
Gavin stared down at the two people who had become such an integral part of his life over the past few weeks. A dad. He waited for the usual panicky feeling he usually experienced whenever anyone mentioned kids, but this time there wasn’t any. Just a deep contentment.
Charlie, with Ellie on her arm, stepped closer and handed him the baby. “I’m so glad you’re finally here. Uncle Gavin, please? Logan is helping me put dinner on the table. Of course, we’ve actually been ready for you guys since lunchtime.”
Grinning, Gavin took the baby. “We were busy.”
“I bet you were.”
While Gavin greeted everyone else, he was aware of Ellie’s big eyes watching him the whole time.
“Hello.” He grinned down at the baby and was rewarded with a wide, toothless smile.
Eleanor moved closer and touched Ellie’s cheek. “You’re such a cutie pie, aren’t you?” She held out her hands to take Ellie, but the little girl put her head against Gavin’s chest, apparently quite content to be in his arms.
Eleanor grinned. “Mmm, you clearly have a way with the ladies. You and Brooke?” she asked in a softer voice.
He scanned the room. Brooke was talking to Lindsay, but her gaze was on him. He winked; she blushed. Grinning, he looked back at Eleanor. “We’ve dropped the ‘fake’ in our relationship.”
“And?”
“And we’re together now.”
“And?”
While he rhythmically rubbed Ellie’s small back, he frowned. “Not sure what you mean?”
Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Seriously. I can’t believe you’re so dim. Of course, there’s an ‘and.’”
“Like what?”
“I don’t even know where to begin. Okay, do you love her?”
“Of course I love her.”
“And you’ve told her?”
“Well, not in so many words, but—”
“We women need to hear the words. The exact words. Charlie, tell him.”
For the first time, he noticed his sister was openly listening in on their conversation. “Tell me what?”
“You love her?” Charlie whispered.
“Yes, damn it, of course, I do.”
“Took you long enough to realize it,” she teased while covering Ellie’s ears with her hands. “No swear words in front of the kids, Uncle Gavin.” She glanced over her shoulder at Brooke. “Tell her. Use your words. Make sure she knows exactly how you feel about her.”
