Page 27 of Taming You

Liv reaches over and squeezes her arm. “I’m so happy for you guys. And now your new little one can grow up with Cate and Jayden, built in friends. And Charlie is going to make an amazing big sister.”

A tear escapes, and Bailey wipes at it quickly. “Thanks. Ughhh, I’ve been so emotional with this pregnancy. I’m glad this little one”—she rubs her hand over her stomach—“will have all of you and have so many kids to run around with.”

“Aunty Hannah is looking forward to spoiling all these little ones.”

“What about you and Grayson?” Bailey asks.

She smiles softly. “Kids are not in the cards for us right now, and that’s okay. We’re content being the fun aunt and uncle and spending time with your little ones. Maybe one day, but we’re not in any rush.”

“Kids aren’t for everyone and that’s okay, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” Liz says.

Hannah beams. “I’m so happy. Grayson and I are planning a trip to Willow Valley for Christmas, and I think Dad’s going to join us. I’m excited to see his parents’ place in the snow and build a proper snowman. The snow here is so damn wet it never really works, but Grayson has assured me we can make them there.”

“You’re not going to be here for Christmas?” Liv asks with pouty eyes.

Hannah wrings her hands in her lap. “Yeah, I’ve been meaning to tell you. I know we usually do friends Christmas on Boxing Day, and you guys should still totally do that, and we’ll be back for New Year’s, but we both really want to spend the holiday with his parents. He hasn’t gone home for Christmas in years.”

“I get it,” Liv says. “But we call dibs on you for New Year’s. Josh and I will host again. We’ll do dinner and snacks and then watch the ball drop. We’ll make sure we have the guest rooms set up for the kids so they can sleep.”

We all nod, and Hannah says, “Promise.”

The game moves pretty quickly tonight, with very few whistles or penalties. Jayden is strapped in the baby carrier, and I have him facing out so he can see what’s going on. When Matt is on the ice right in front of us, he reaches for him as he babbles.

I point to Matt and say, “Is that dada? Yeah, that’s dada.”

Jayden continues to babble as we watch the game, and when it ends, Matt makes his way towards us. His smile widens as he looks at Jayden and me. As soon as he stops in front of us, he bends to Jayden’s eye level. “What’s up, little man? Did you have fun with Zo?”

Jayden babbles at him.

“Oh, that’s good,” he says as if he can actually understand what Jayden is saying, and my smile grows. He leans and kisses Jayden’s cheeks. “Be a good boy for Zo.” He stands straight and looks at me. “Thanks for hanging with him.”

“Well, who could say no when this cutie is reaching for them?”

“Seriously, Zo. I appreciate it. He’s obviously recognizing you, which just tells me I have you around a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I love having you around, more than I can say, but I don’t want to be taking advantage.”

I rest my hand on his arm. “Matt, I promise you I’ll tell you when it’s too much. I’m actually quite enjoying spending this time with Jayden. Helps me not focus on my personal crap.”

His eyes are soft as he stares at me for a few seconds before nodding. He leans back down and kisses Jayden’s cheek. When he stares into my eyes as he stands straighter, I swear he’s going to kiss me, and my heart beats faster. His eyes flick over my shoulder, and he pulls back. Disappointment radiates through me, and I mentally slap myself.

Matthew Carter doesn’t do relationships, and why would he want me when he can have any woman he wants?

I plaster on a smile as I grab Jayden’s hand and wave at Matt as he makes his way to the dressing room.

I spin around and face the girls and quickly say, “So, food? I’m starving.”

They agree, and we grab our stuff and head upstairs to the restaurant. The first thing I do is order myself a stiff drink. The second it’s delivered, I down half of it.

“Whoa, slow down girl,” Liz says, and I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

“I’m good, just thirsty,” I lie through my teeth.

Thankfully, our waitress comes by to deliver our orders, and the guys join us.

As I pick a fry off my plate, Hannah asks, “How did your date go?”

My eyes flick to Matt, who is sitting beside me. “It was fine, but I won’t be seeing him again.”

I’ve had this conversation with Liv already and was planning on telling the rest of the girls, but at a girls’ night, not in public.

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