Page 182 of Sloane

“Did you bring your pajamas?” I teased when I got behind the wheel.

Moving the seat back, he grinned. “We’re not going to need pajamas, baby.”

“In that case, would you like to have a sleepover with me?”

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

I looked over at him and suppressed a sigh as I started the engine.

I was in over my head with my baby daddy, but I wasn’t sure what to do about it.

****

Sloane

I maneuvered the steps to Ashley’s apartment with ease, so for the first time in over a year, I got to be in her bed again. And I took full advantage of not having pajamas until Millie woke up hungry.

Ashley brought her to the bed, so I held Ash in my arms while she nursed Millie. Nuzzling her neck and inhaling her scent while looking at the perfect creature we created, a sense of peace came over me.

“I should have said I’m grateful for getting my sense of smell back,” I murmured. “I love how you smell.”

She turned to look at me. “I didn’t realize you’d lost it. That must have made eating a challenge, too.”

“Not really a challenge, just not very enjoyable. I literally cried when I ate the cheesecake you sent me It tasted so damn good.”

“I’ll be happy to make you another one.”

I stared down at our little girl with a full heart. I was alive and able to watch her grow up, and for that, I was grateful. O’Brien would never have the chance to be a father.

“You’re too good to me, dulzura.”

She reached back and laid one hand on the side of my cheek while she kissed the other.

“You deserve it, galán.”

I was humbled at her use of the word I hadn’t heard in what felt like ages, but couldn’t hide my pleasure even as I admitted, “I don’t know about that, but I’m trying to be the man who does.” I stroked a finger across my daughter’s soft hair as I considered all I was truly thankful for.

“Our friends aren’t the only ones who were anxious to meet our daughter,” I said, not the least bit surprised to see Ash’s head come up, tilting a bit to look at me before a soft smile curled her lips.

“You found them?”

God, the woman had to be part psychic.

“Yes. Dealing with family was part of my recovery. Though I have no intention of speaking to my step-father ever again, I took the assignment as a sign I should actively try to find my siblings.” I smiled. “Even though I know how old they are, it was hard to wrap my head around the college kids I was talking to on the phone were the same six-year-olds playing in the backyard when I’d left.”

Ashley was beaming as she said, “Daisy and Daryl, right?”

“Right. Turns out they’ve been wanting to reconnect for years but had no clue what had become of me. It took some doing and some help from the people running the program, but we’ve spoken a couple of times on the phone.”

Her smile dimmed a bit as she stroked her hand over my arm. “You haven’t met them in person?”

“Not yet,” I admitted, then took her hand and entwined our fingers. “They’re in Arizona going to school. And I wasn’t ready then, but I think I am now.” I looked down at our daughter. “I guess I was a little worried how they’d react to seeing me, but you’ve taught me that it isn’t what’s on the outside that matters.”

“That’s right, it’s what we carry inside that counts, and galán, if they are anything like you, they’ve got to be good people.” She looked down at Millie and added, “Did you hear your daddy? You’ve got an Aunt Daisy and an Uncle Daryl, baby girl.”

Hearing her name them settled something inside me and allowed the unsurety to disappear. Leaning down, I kissed Ash’s forehead, only to see her attempt to morph a yawn into a smile. I shook my head and put my index finger in Millie’s grasp and asked, “Is she taking a bottle yet?”

Ash let out a sigh. “It depends on the day, but she’s getting better.”

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