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Tatum looks doubtfully at our second-born. “He’d have to get rid of Bankie first.”
“Don’t be hating on Bankie. It will be keeping you warm tonight when he steals all the covers from you.”
Tatum sighs and turns off the light. “Goodnight, gorgeous.”
“Goodnight, Tater Tot.” I stare up at the ceiling, tapping my fingers against my belly. I think about TJ’s announcement, and can’t wait to see him and Connor with a family of their own. Tatum’s right, we’re both insanely busy right now. Adding a third would be crazy. But a baby, especially a little girl, would make everything fall into place, right?
Chapter 5
Sarah
Checking my watchfor the second time in less than five minutes, I turn and grab the keys off the island. “Lex! Come on. We need to leave or we’re going to be late.”
I grab the emergency call list off the counter and walk down the hall to the playroom where the twins are watching TV with the sitter. “Hey guys, Daddy and I will be back in a bit. Becky is here to babysit, so don’t give her any trouble, okay?”
“But Mommy, you said you’d play Barbies with me,” Alexis says, stripping the dress off her new doll.
“I bet Becky loves to play Barbies.”
Alexa frowns at the sitter. “But she doesn’t know how to play like you do.”
“I promise I will play when we get back in an hour,” I whisper, kissing the top of her head.
“Mommy, don’t leave me.” Wyatt stands up from the couch and runs over to me.
“Hey bud, it’s okay. We won’t be gone long. Becky is loads of fun and she said she’ll play Candyland with you.” I look over my shoulder and smile at Andie’s old babysitter.
Unfortunately, I was in a pinch and needed someone at the last minute. Becky was my last resort, but at least I didn’t have to cancel the appointment with Wyatt’s therapist. Becky’s eyes are glued to her phone, an earbud a permanent fixture in her ear. She blows a bubble and pops it with her tongue.
“But she doesn’t want to play with us,” Wyatt sulks. “Look, she’s on her phone. I don’t like her. I want to go with you.”
I giggle nervously and look over my shoulder prepared to apologize to Becky, but she doesn’t even notice his little tantrum, because Wyatt is right, she’s completely engrossed in her phone.
“Jax is right upstairs, bud,” I soothe.
“Why can’t he watch us?” Wyatt sobs.
“Because Becky is eighteen and responsible…I think.”God, I hope.
Lex bounds down the back stairs. “Hey, sorry, was on the phone with Tatum. Ready?”
“Yes, I was getting Becky settled with the kids.”
“Hi, nice to meet you, Becky.” Lex holds his hand out, startling her from her phone.
She stares at his hand and pops a bubble. “I don’t, like, touch people’s hands I don’t know. Who are you?”
“The guy who will be paying you to watch my kids.” He pulls back his hand and smiles over at me, perplexed.
“Cool.” Becky snaps her gum, brushes past us, and flops down on the couch, ignoring the kids.
“Do ye think there’s anyone home?” Lex knocks on the side of his head. I hit his stomach and chuckle, wrenching Wyatt’s little fists from my shirt.
“Can you help me with him?”
Lex picks up Wyatt and whispers something in his ear. I quickly make my escape and run to the garage and wait for Lex. It’s always hard for me to leave the house without Wyatt having a mini-meltdown.
A few minutes later, Lex slides into the driver’s seat and the engine roars to life.
