Page 45 of Chasing Sunsets

“She doesn’t bite,” Wade calls as he walks in from the deck. “Yet.”

He comes up to stand beside Eden.

“This is my husband, Wade,” Eden says as she moves to offer Mina over.

“It’s nice to meet you,” he says.

Tabby hesitates for half a second, then nods, carefully taking Mina into her arms. She cradles her instinctively, her fingers brushing over the fabric of her onesie, her expression shifting into something unreadable.

Something about the sight of her like that makes my chest go tight.

Eden notices, too, her eyes flicking between us before landing on the wrapped canvas still tucked under my arm. “What’s that?”

Tabby blinks, like she forgot about it. “Oh. A gift.”

She hands Mina back to Eden, then takes the package and carefully unwraps the canvas. When she turns it around, a small gasp escapes Eden.

It’s a painting of the ocean at sunset, the colors deep and vibrant, the waves curling against the shore in soft, foamy strokes. It’s beautiful.

“Amiya and Avie said the baby’s nursery was beach-themed. They thought it might look good,” she says shyly.

“Tabby,” Eden breathes, “this is … this is incredible. Did you paint this?”

Tabby shifts slightly. “I did.”

Eden stares at it for another long moment, then looks back at Tabby, her eyes a little misty. “I love it. Thank you.”

Wade leans over, studying it, then nods approvingly. “Damn, that’s talent.”

Tabby blushes, but I see the pleased little smile tugging at her lips.

I sling an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in, and Wade’s eyes follow the movement.

“Come in, grab a glass of wine, and make yourself at home,” he says.

The tension leaves Tabby’s body, and she looks up at me before stepping out from under my arm and follows Eden and Amiya into the kitchen.

Wade clasps me on the shoulder as we watch them walk away. “Shit, I thought the guys were pulling my leg.”

My eyes snap to him, and he grins.

“But you got it bad.”

An hour later, the guys are out on the deck, drinks in hand, while the girls sip wine and take turns passing Mina around like a tiny football.

“She’s got Eden’s eyes,” I say, tipping my beer toward Wade.

He grunts, “Yep, her momma’s looks, but my attitude.”

Lennon laughs, clinking his bottle against Wade’s. “Better you than me, man.”

Wade chuckles. “You’d better hope your kids get Amiya’s looks and your attitude because if they get both her looks and attitude, you’re in fucking trouble.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” Sebastian agrees.

Lennon gets a look of sheer terror. “I’d never survive the teenage years.”

We all burst into laughter.

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