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Stacey bit her lips while Tristan let out a laugh.
“Hey.” Adler held up his hands and shook the koala in the air. “I was going to give Skylar this koala, but that’s something only sweet guys would do. So, I guess it’s mine.” He cuddled it close.
The look on his face caused Leila’s heart to skip. Was he really going to give that to Skylar, or did he just say that?
“It doesn’t matter. Your mom may not like me, but Skylar, I promise. I’m not a bad guy.” He squatted a little to look in her eyes. “Here you go, little beauty.” He handed her the koala and closed her arms around it.
It wasn’t large, so Skylar was able to hold it and brought it to her mouth. She babbled something at Adler and gave him a toothless grin.
Adler’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “She is adorable. See? One of you likes me. Now, Skylar. You need to let your momma know I’m not such a bad guy.”
Again, she answered him with baby babble and waved the koala in the air, causing everyone to laugh.
Leila was fixated on Adler’s interaction with Skylar. It was adorable, and she couldn’t lie. His expression, his smile, was downright handsome.
Skylar stretched her arms toward him.
“Looks like you have a new fan, Adler. She wants you to hold her,” Stacey said.
A chuckle came from Tristan. “That would be good. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hold a baby.”
Adler’s eyes bulged. “Yeah, that’s because I’ve never held one.” He shrugged. “How hard could it be?”
Leila adjusted Skylar. “Let’s find out.” She held her toward Adler. “Just take her under her arms, and then support her by her bottom. Hold her however’s comfortable for you.”
“Umm.” Adler backed away, and Skylar let out her famous squeal which could break windows.
“Come on. Try,” Tristan encouraged. “You won’t break her—well, unless you drop her, so don’t do that.”
Adler shot him a look and took a hold of Skylar. She babbled at him again.
“There you go, and she thinks you’re doing just fine.” Leila’s eyes creased as she backed up a little. Skylar looked totally happy. She giggled and tried sharing her koala with Adler by hitting his face with it.
Adler adjusted her in his arms. “Hey now.” He took the koala and held it for her. “See, I got this.” He glanced at Leila and wiggled his brows.
Leila’s heart stopped, and her hand came up to her mouth. Skylar was happy, it was evident. The more Adler held Skylar and bounced her, the more Leila’s heart swelled. Watching them interact with each other caused her vision to become blurry, and she turned her head, blinking quickly as Elizabeth, Brady, and Grant joined them.
Elizabeth’s gaze passed between Leila and Adler, who was twirling in a circle with Skylar. “Hey.” She placed her hand on Leila’s arm. “Looks like Skylar’s got a fan.”
Leila couldn’t answer. Her throat was thick. She just gave Elizabeth a small smile and nodded.
“Careful. I wouldn’t turn her around too much,” said Elizabeth.
Adler stopped and pointed at the carousel. “Want to go on Skylar? We can get you on your first horse.” He gestured to Leila.“Come on. She’ll love it. He pulled Leila’s arm until she followed him onto the carousel. He stopped by a white ceramic horse. “Hop up on that one, and I’ll get on this with Sky.”
Leila threw her leg around a brown ceramic horse, while Adler did the same with a baby in one arm. He sat Skylar on the seat in front of him while his arms held her securely. Leila’s heart was full. She couldn’t remember when she’d been so peaceful and content, probably not since Skylar had been born.
He was right. She did love it, and not just Skylar. Leila did also. “You’re really good with her.”
“Surprised?”
“Can’t lie. Yes, I am.”
Adler laughed his deep laugh. “Don’t worry. So am I. I’ve always avoided babies, but . . . I don’t know.” He shrugged and held Skylar tight as the horse went up and down.
“Well, she seems to like you.”
Their eyes locked for a brief moment before Adler looked down and talked to Skylar.
