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"Fine," I mutter instead, scowling. "But she still likes me more than you."
Tate chuckles again. "Angel, not a man alive would blame her for that," he drawls, shaking his head. "You're soft and sweet and perfect. I'm just a man with steady hands and a big c–"
"Don't you dare," I hiss, whipping my head around to make sure Daisy isn't in earshot.
"–erebellum." He cocks a brow. "What did you think I was going to say?"
I blush.
"In the hospital, Samara? Really?"
"You say dirty things wherever you want," I mutter defensively.
"I don't curse around the kids, Samara," he says, his voice soft. "My mom would throw a holy fit if she found out."
"You're scared of your mom?" I smile at him, my voice soft. Why is it so cute that this giant man is afraid of his mom?
"Uh, yeah. Are you kidding me? My dad would kick my A-S-S if I wasn't afraid of my mom," he says, looking at me like I'm crazy. "No one stresses her out without answering to him, especially me and my twin."
My mouth pops open. "You have a twin?"
"I do. His name is Xavier. He and Sariah, my older sister, live in Los Angeles near our parents."
"Wow," I whisper. "Are they doctors too?"
"They work in the fashion industry. My dad is a photographer. My mom owns a modeling agency. Xavier and Sariah help her run it."
"I didn't know that."
He smiles at me. "You'll love them."
"You…want me to meet them?" My stomach flips.
"They'll be out here in September. They come every year."
"Oh," I whisper, not sure what to say. But I think…I think I'm looking forward to it. I want to know where Tate came from. I want to meet the people who raised and shaped him. It doesn't take a genius to know they have to be pretty amazing. "I'd like that."
"Yeah?"
His cocky grin has me rolling my eyes.
"Give me back my niece before I change my mind," I demand, ready to hold her again. It's purely selfish, but I know Tate doesn't mind. He's only holding onto her to annoy me. He seems to like doing that. I'll never admit it, but I kind of like it too. It's hard to stress and worry and panic when I'm with him. He refuses to let me.
It's as if he just instinctively knows how to calm me down. He doesn't even have to try. As soon as I start feeling anxious, he reaches for me or says something ridiculous. Immediately, my nerves settle and a sense of calm washes over me. I have no idea how I'm going to make it through tomorrow without him at my side, but I'll find a way. Even if I crack apart at the seams.
Tate's phone vibrates in his pocket.
He gently shifts Scout around and then reaches for it.
"You're in luck," he says, giving it a cursory glance. "I have something to take care of, so I'll let you hold her while I do it."
"Let me hold her?" I splutter. "She's my niece."
He smirks at me, shaking his head. He doesn't say anything as he rises to his feet with Scout tucked carefully in his arms. Because she's sedated, she doesn't even twitch. The nurses assure me that she knows we're here with her and that she can hear us, but she doesn't really respond to much. I can't wait until her little eyes open. I hope they're hazel like Siobhan's.
Tate places her carefully in my arms and then runs his hand over the top of her head, smoothing her wild hair. "I'm not sure what you aren't getting, angel," he says, tipping my head back until our gazes tangle. "She might be your niece, but you're bothmine." He leans down, pressing his lips to mine in a hard kiss. "Cuddle our girl. I'll be right back."
When he straightens, I see Daisy standing in the doorway, watching us. My stomach flutters with nerves at being caught, but she just smiles at us.
