Page 8 of Taming You

She nods. “I’m happy to help.”

We finally serve the food and settle in at the table, moving the conversation on to Liv and Josh’s anniversary and our Thanksgiving dinner plans. My parents always host, and we now do a joint dinner with the Lincolns, Liv’s in-laws, after she was so indecisive about how to spend the holiday. It’s a good thing our families were close when we were all growing up. Zoey, like usual, will be heading to her oldest brother’s house for their big dinner. I’m sad she won’t be doing dinner with us. She’s become my lifeline this week, and I’m not sure I can stay afloat without her for an entire day.

When we finish eating, Mom insists on getting to hold Jayden again, and no one has the heart to argue with her. I clear the table with Gi as everyone else joins Mom in the living room.

“So, you’re a dad now,” she says as she puts plates in the sink and starts rinsing them. She’s been quiet tonight, not saying much when we were talking about Jayden. Gi has only been home from finishing her degree at Stanford for four months. She’s changed a lot since she graduated from high school. She’s become more observant and less carefree than she was then, and I’m not sure it’s for the better.

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry,” she says, and I stop what I’m doing and turn to face her.

“What do you mean?”

She looks at me over her shoulder and continues to rinse dishes and put them in the dishwasher. “I know this wasn’t what you wanted. I know, I know, you’ve always wanted kids. But you’ve always wanted them after you settled down. It’s the same as Liv and me. We had Mom and Dad to look up to, the Lincolns, too. I know you’ll be a great dad, though.”

She places the last plate in the dishwasher, and I wrap my arms around her. “Thanks, Gi. You know I love you, right? I never wanted to keep this from you guys. I just knew it would be easier for me to tell you all at once.”

Her arms wrap around me, and she holds me tight. “I know. I love you, too, Matty.”

I kiss the top of her head and step back to lean against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest and legs at the ankle.

“Okay, so tell me what’s going on with you. We haven’t had a ton of time to catch up since you’ve been back.”

She shrugs. “Not much. Can’t get up to too much while living at Mom and Dad’s.”

“What about Em?” I ask, referring to her best friend and Josh’s sister. “Have you been hanging out with her? Any news on the job hunt?”

She shakes her head. “No, Em’s been busy, and nothing for a job yet. I have a few applications out that seem to be making some progress, so hopefully soon.”

We move into the living room and join the rest of the family.

“He looks like you,” Mom says, staring at Jayden, who is now in Dad’s arms. I smile, because he does. Zoey has pointed out a couple of features this week, and every time she points out something new, it has my body filling with warmth, and I can’t stop smiling. Mom’s holding Cate now, and seeing the two babies together has an entirely different feeling rushing through me. Awe’re all grown upfeeling. It was one thing when just Liv had a kid, but now I do, too, and I’m sure Gi will eventually, as well.

The rest of the evening is a game of pass the babies, the two of them making it through all of us before Liv says they need to call it a night and settles Cate in the car seat and begins saying her goodbyes. Everyone else starts to pack up, too, and I meet them at the front door, exchanging hugs before watching them make their way to the elevator. When I turn around, I take in Zoey, who’s stuck around a little longer.

She fiddles with her hands in front of her. “I’m going to head, too. I’m so glad tonight went well.”

“Thanks for being here. I’m not sure I could have done it without you. And seriously, thank you for everything you’ve done this week. You were literally my saving grace in this disaster.”

We hug, and then she makes her way out to her car while I get my boy changed and settled in his crib for the night.

CHAPTER 5

Zoey

Iroll over as my phone rings for the second time. Grabbing it, I see Matt’s name flash across my screen. Two calls in a row have me shooting up in bed and my heart racing.

“Is everything okay?” I answer.

“Ummm… Yes, but I could I really use your help, Zo.”

I exhale deeply, and my shoulders relax. “What is it?” I ask.

“Could you meet me at the rink in twenty minutes?” His voice comes out hopeful.

I pull my phone away from my face to check the time. “I guess. Why will you be at the rink at six in the morning on a Monday?”

“You’re a life saviour. I’ll explain everything there.”

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