Page 32 of Loved By You

But he's your friend, Ri. That wouldn't be appropriate, would it?

I visibly shake my head to get rid of the thoughts spinning in there. I'll unpack that later.

He opens the backdoor and Lexi calls his name.

“How are my favorite girls?” he beams, reaching in to unclip Lexi as I walk round to get Elle from her carseat.

“Do you have M&M's,” Lexi whispers with her little hand over her mouth so she thinks I can't hear.

Jack throws his head back and a deep laugh comes from him.

“Lex,” I scold. “What did I tell you? No asking for candy.”

I see Jack whisper something in Lexi’s ear, and she nods.

We unpack the car and Jack helps me with all the stuff. It's honestly embarrassing how much crap I have with me, but kids don't travel light. I have Elle in the baby carrier strapped to my chest, her diaper bag in one hand, and a large tote with blankets, stuffies, a change of clothes, an iPad and enough snacks to last 2 days.

Jack is carrying Elle’s pack and play and the mattress for it along with the diaper bag. I needed to be prepared in case Ali is late and Elle wants to sleep. He’s wedged the rest of the stuff under his strong arms. My eyes drift to his forearms and the way his veins pop and his muscles flex as he adjusts the bag that's in his grip and all I think about is how I wish I was that pack and play under his arm so he could handle me like that.

I have to shake my head again to quit staring before he notices, but that only welcomes in new thoughts as I watch him effortlessly help carry things and talk to Lexi like he's known her for her whole life. This warmth flooding my chest and this calmness I feel when I'm around him is unfamiliar yet welcomed.

Lexi is dragging her little suitcase behind her, walking next to Jack as we head for the club and make our way to the main room. I have no idea what she's got in it. I told her to pack some things to keep her busy, so God only knows what’s in there.

“We can set this up in front of the bar, we need to get the tables cleaned and the liquor fully stocked before we open,” Jack says, dropping the pack and play on the floor and the way he's looking at it and all the stuff I put beside it I fear he might be regretting allowing me to bring the girls.

“I'm sorry about all this. The girls don't travel light.” Feeling a little awkward at all the baby gear I’ve had to bring along to my place of work.

“Don't apologize. You are saving our asses tonight. Least we can do is have the girls here.”

I give him a genuine smile. He always knows how to reassure me when I feel like I am being an inconvenience or a burden. Something I'm not used to.

“Ria, thank you for saving the day,” Harry hollers from behind the bar.

“It's no problem. Sorry about all this,” I gesture to Elle, who is still strapped to me, all our stuff on the club floor, and Lexi, who is unpacking the suitcase which is full of Barbies and coloring.

“They won't be here long. Ali is picking them up around six.”

The biggest grin spreads across Harry's face and he claps his hands and rubs them together. “Oooh, the pocket rocket. It's been a while since I've seen her.” He walks out from behind the bar and over to us.

Lexi looks up at him. “What's a pocket rocket?”

“Someone who is really fun,” he laughs.

“And what's your name?” he tugs at his trousers, bending down so he’s eye-level with Lexi.

“Lexi and that's my baby sister, Elle. We have a dog called Nugget, but Mommy said we couldn't bring him.”

Harry looks at me and then Jack, his brows furrowed. “Nugget?”

“Best you don't ask,” Jack mutters.

I chuckle and sway back and forth as Elle starts to fidget in the carrier.

“Well, it's very lovely to meet you both,” he says to Lexi before getting up off the ground.

“And I have a lot of questions about Nugget.” He bops Elle on the nose and she giggles. “Shit, your girls are cute, Ri.”

“Language,” Jack barks.

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