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With a protective arm around her, he guided her to the sidewalk. A pickup rolled up too fast and too close and parked in front of his vehicle.
Wren gasped. “That guy almost took the mirror off our car!”
He didn’t need to glance at who was behind the wheel. “That’s just Julius being an asshole.”
Julius rolled down the window and shouted at him. “Nice swagger wagon, bro!”
He flipped him the bird at the reference to his dad car and earned a laugh for his effort. Grinning, he directed Wren to the front door of the brand-new home that was finally standing in the spot where two others had sat before it.
Wren stopped at the base of the stone steps and stared up at the two-story traditional home. “Quaide and Dove must be thrilled that their home’s finished.”
He pressed his palm against her lower back to guide her into the house. “It’s a real nice neighborhood to raise their daughter.”
Wren bobbed her head in agreement. “It’s so quiet here.”
Jennings swung his head to look at the property next door. The home was a little old-fashioned and could use some modern updates. But it was solid. As was the place across the street.
“I can’t wait to get my hands on that baby.” She reached to press the doorbell, but the door opened.
Jennings met Livingston’s gaze and then slid his stare to the baby he held on his shoulder. Her blonde curls sported a huge pink bow.
“Glad you could make it to our housewarming. C’mon in.” He smiled at Wren, who immediately went for the baby.
“Oh my! Look at how much you’ve grown in just a week. How is my favorite niece?” She reached for the baby, and Livingston handed over his daughter.
“She just burped, so she shouldn’t barf on you.”
Wren laughed. “Bea and I don’t care about a little spit-up, do we, Bea? Oh my god, those curls.” She absently dropped her purse where she stood and took off with the baby.
Jennings shook his head and reached for his wife’s purse. “Pregnancy brain. She just drops things wherever she’s at. Later, she can’t find anything. Good thing I keep watch and gather everything up and put it where it belongs so she can find it later.”
Livingston chuckled. “Dove was a little scattered in the middle of her pregnancy too. You want a beer?”
Before he could respond, Julius and Avalynn walked through the open door. His brother toted a baby carrier with their infant son. Julius Jr. kicked his feet and waved his fists, his face screwed up.
Jennings met his brother’s stare. “Looks just like his daddy.”
He set the baby carrier on the floor, and Avalynn crouched to remove the child from the harness. “JJ is just as demanding as his father too, aren’t you, baby boy?” she baby-talked him.
“You just wait, brother. You think you’re just buying a car with all the safety features for your family, but pretty soon you’re not sleeping because your six-month-old is teething.” Julius stifled a yawn behind his hand.
Avalynn stood with the baby in her arms. “You were great with him last night, honey. Julius was up most of the night walking JJ to settle him so I could sleep.”
Jennings’s chest welled with emotion. Now he was the family man—and he couldn’t wait to take care of his own son that was due in a few months’ time. He just knew the baby would have Wren’s big blue eyes and he’d fall in love a second time.
Suddenly, Dove walked into the entryway. “Come in, everyone! We’ve got snacks in the kitchen and dinner will be served in an hour.” Her gaze fell on Avalynn, and grins broke over both of their faces.
They embraced and then went off to the kitchen, fussing over the angry, teething baby.
“I think Julius could use that beer.” Livingston turned and led the way to the kitchen.
When Jennings stepped into the bright, airy, spacious kitchen, he couldn’t help but compare it to the one he’d seen in the house next door. But he was soon distracted by Livingston shoving a beer at him, and Lexis sauntered over, cradling his sleeping son in the crook of one arm.
He looked at Julius. “You look tired, Abel. Not sleeping well?”
Julius grunted and cracked open his beer. “Weren’t you in the same situation last week?”
“Yup, but Elijah has two new teeth. See?” He pressed a big finger into the sleeping baby’s bottom lip, pulling it down to show off two tiny white nubs.
