Page 33 of Loved By You

Harry clamps his hand over his mouth, forgetting he's in the presence of little ears.

“Oh, fuck. Shit, sorry, Ri,” he stammers.

I can't help but laugh. “It's fine. She's heard worse. From her dad's mouth.” Jack is glaring at him and Harry just looks down at the floor at the pack and play.

“Want some help?” he asks.

“Yeah, as long as you don't open that mouth again,” Jack says sternly.

They both get on the floor and open up the pack and play. I lift Elle out of the carrier and start to get some things out of the bag ready. I look over and see them struggling, and it takes everything within me not to burst out laughing.

Harry is holding one side and Jack the other. I know that they need to flatten the base first, but I'm going to keep that bit of information to myself for now.

“Right, this side has clicked, now you click your bit,” Jack shouts to Harry.

“I'm doing it and it won't click,” Harry says, sounding frustrated.

“Pull it.”

“I'm pulling,” Harry grits.

“Are you pulling it right?” Jack says, clearly exasperated, his eyes narrowing as he leans back, like he's trying to work out what’s going wrong.

“How many ways are there to pull?” Harry huffs. He stands up and lets go of the side he was holding and so does Jack and the pack and play collapses in a heap.

“Shit’s broken,” Harry concludes.

I snort a laugh and walk over to them. “Here, hold her.” I pass Elle to Jack and he takes hold of her like she's a family heirloom and will break if he moves her. I pick it up, push the base down, and pull up the sides in two clicks.

“There, done,” I say, a little too smugly.

Jack and Harry just stare at the now erected pack and play like they have just witnessed someone complete the Rubik’s Cube in under thirty seconds.

“Well, that's embarrassing,” Harry mumbles. “I'm gonna go back over there where I clearly left my common sense and my balls.”

“Aww, don't be embarrassed, Haz,” I mock. “I won't tell Ali you couldn't pop up a pack and play.” He flips me the middle finger as he walks towards the bar.

“That was incredible,” Jack says in awe, holding Elle to his chest. She squeals and slaps him across the cheek in excitement, causing him to jolt.

My hands fly up to come to my mouth, stifling a laugh as he stands there blinking rapidly, like he's trying to register what just happened.

“It really wasn't. It's the easiest bit of equipment to put together once you know how.”

“You’re always surprising me, sweetheart. What other skills are you hiding,” he asks, quirking a brow.

I fold my arms across my chest. “Well, now, that would be telling, wouldn't it? I prefer to surprise people with my talents.”

He moves closer and I open up my arms, thinking he will pass me Elle, but he doesn't. His free hand wraps around my waist and lightly tugs me towards him. “I look forward to discovering your talents.” His tone is suggestive and I have no doubt he noticed the tremor that rolled through my body.

Oh, crap, it’s going to be a long night.

Jack goes back behind the bar and continues setting up whilst I quickly feed Elle and get Lexi set up and then the three of us work our asses off over the next hour, polishing glasses and restocking the bars. Brad joined us, bringing up more glasses from the stock room.

“Mommy, I’m thirsty. All my juice is gone,” Lexi calls, waving her sippy cup at me.

“What can I get you, little lady?” Brad calls over to her.

“Juice, pweese.”

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