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Andrea smiles, some of her anxieties shifting away from her gaze. “Thanks,” she murmurs appreciatively before looking at Daria. “I was thinking of commissioning some artwork from you to hang up at the store. I’m not a hundred percent sure what vibe I’m going for in terms of that, but I figured I’d ask.”
Daria’s face lights up, a grin spreading. “Of course! I’d be honored, seriously.”
“Great,” Andrea says, her own grin beaming before gesturing to Daria and me with a pointed look. “I expect both of you to be at the grand opening—whenever the hell it’ll be.”
I grin. “I’m there.” Whether I’m still Lilah’s nanny or with Leo, I wouldn’t miss it.
“Oh, by the way—” Daria starts, pinning her gaze on Andrea. “Your birthday’s coming up on the 27th. Any plans?”
Andrea blows out another breath, running her fingers through her hair. “Not really,” she says with a slight laugh. “I’ve been so busy with the store I haven’t had any time to even think about doing something.” She shrugs, her smile faltering a little. “Might not do anything, honestly. I’m only turning twenty-seven, it’s not like it’s a milestone birthday.”
“But it is,” I insist, my eyes widening. Off of Daria and Andrea’s confused looks, I click my tongue. “It’s your golden birthday!”
“What’s a golden birthday?” Andrea asks with a confused laugh.
I feel kind of silly explaining it, but I do so anyway. “It’s the age you’re turning as the date of your birthday. Like, mine was my twenty-first birthday, so I did a whole big party for it.” Rented out a party bus and invited my closest friends, had a big dinner, drove around the city in the bus, and then ended the night at a club. It wasn’t anything out of control wild, but it had been a blast.
“I never knew that,” Daria blinks before looking at Andrea. “You definitely gotta plan something now.”
Andrea groans, throwing her head back. “I hate planning stuff for my birthday,” she says, cheeks flushing. “I’d much rather plan things for other people. I’d be too anxious planning something formethat everyone finds dumb or something.”
“Who cares what other people think?” I ask with a shrug. “It’syourday.”
“Yeah. I don’t know,” Andrea says quickly with a shrug. “I’ll think about it,” she says before shifting her gaze and taking a sip of her drink. My gaze knowingly connects with Daria’s, aware of the truth. Andrea isn’t going to plan shit for herself.
13
LEO
When I get home after the game and a few rounds of interviews and press conferences, my heart squeezes in my chest at the sight that greets me in the living room. The TV is on, playing an episode ofScooby-Doo, while Alex and Lilah are passed out on the couch opposite of it. I quietly creep into the living room, feeling a smile tug at my mouth as I walk around to stand in front of them, observing them silently.
Alex leans back into the couch cushions, sock clad feet propped up on the coffee table, and my daughter sleeps with her head resting on Alex’s lap, Alex’s hand resting on Lilah’s back. The two of them look so content, so peaceful, and a comforting heat spreads through my chest the longer I look at them. Unable to help myself, I pull my phone out and take a picture of them without much thought, my smile widening ever so slightly.
Pocketing my phone, I walk over and, very carefully, slide my arms under Lilah and lift her up. Seemingly sensing the movement, Alex wakes up almost instantly, sitting up on high alert—which I admire a hell of a lot because she could sense that my kid wasn’t in her arms anymore. Alex looks up, blue eyes meeting my brown, and she instantly relaxes.
“Hi,” she whispers quietly, a smile tugging on her mouth. “When’d you get back?”
“Just now,” I reply just as quietly, careful not to wake Lilah. “Stay here. Let me put her to bed.”
Alex nods, and I feel her gaze on my back as I walk out of the living room and up the stairs. Lilah doesn’t stir at all, sound asleep, so small in my arms. I remember a time where she was tinier than this; I hadn’t realized a human could be that small. So small and so perfect and somine. Lilah’s mother and I were barely together, but she gave me the greatest gift she ever could have, and for that I will always be grateful.
Getting to her room, I carefully put her in her bed, tucking her in and pressing a kiss to her forehead. No doubt she is wiped out today after coming to the game. I’d barely gotten a moment with her afterwards before being pulled into other shit I had to do.
Once her nightlight is switched on as well as the baby monitor, I leave the room and head back down the stairs. A smile finds its way back onto my face when I see that Alex is still watching the cartoon playing on the TV, a chuckle escaping me as I approach the couch.
“Wild night?” I ask, dropping gracelessly onto the couch next to her.
Alex laughs into a grin. “Obviously,” she says, turning the volume down a little. Her arm raises so her fingers could gently thread through my hair. She leans into my side, her warmth seeping into mine comfortingly. “You hungry?”
“I’ll eat in a little,” I assure her, hands sliding along her legs so I can bring them onto my lap. “Just wanna sit here for now,” I add, gaze meeting hers.
She smiles softly, the sight of it easing my muscles. They have that familiar dull soreness that always creeps in after a game, but sitting next to Alex, feeling her fingers in my hair, relaxes me greatly. My head leans back into her touch, a content sigh escaping me. I can’t remember the last time I’ve come home to someone like this—I don’t think there evenhasbeen a last time.
But coming home to Alex is nothing short of comforting.
“Lilah knocked out early,” I observe, gaze absently watching the cartoon. I’ve often sat with Lilah to watchScooby-Doo, one of her favorite shows, to my relief.
“Yeah,” Alex hums as my fingers run up and down her legs, exposed thanks to the shorts she’s got on. “She was running around with Elaine all day.” I chuckle, unsurprised. “Hey, I was thinking—if you’ve got the time, why don’t you plan something for Andrea’s birthday?”
