Page 69 of Speak of the Devil

Laird sits on the floor with his daughter. “How’s my Posey Rosie? She’s so good at sitting.”

And there’s that look of pure joy when she sees him. Her eyes widen, her dad the sun in her world, making her shine, and that smile, the laugh. The reward of being a dad. Having someone love you so much that they don’t see your flaws. They only know that you hung the stars for them. That trust. The love.

Mack squeals, not appreciating my attention elsewhere. I squeeze one of my eyes closed until he’s done. “Look, kid. I need my eardrums to play in this band. Don’t go wrecking them.” But yeah, he gets me with that two-teeth grin of his. Every time. He may not look at me like I hung the moon, but I can tell he knows I’ll always have his back. I hug him to me and kiss his head again.

Poppy comes in and says, “It’s nap time.”

“For you or the kids?” Laird teases.

“Probably both. I’m exhausted.”

He stands with Posey in his arms and wraps his arm around his wife. “You go lie down. I’ll put the kids in their cribs and take it from here.” He kisses her forehead, then gives her ass a little smack when she turns around.

Poppy’s an amazing wife, mom, and friend to me. Hearing her giggle like she’s getting away with something is fun to see. But I notice how Laird watches her. They don’t get time alone anymore, so I say, “Hey, if you want to take a break, I’m here. I can hang out for a few hours.”

He seems surprised when he turns back, his forehead doing the heavy lifting. “Really?” he asks, unsure if I’m serious by his tone. Then he sets Posey on the floor where she had been happy to sit—a new skill she’s learned. Mack hasn’t, but we all do things in our own time.

Don’t I know it?

“Really,” I reply.

“Are you sure, Shane?”

“I’m sure. Is it okay if they fall asleep here in the living room?”

“Yeah, it’s fine, but if you want, you can put them in their cribs. They love it in there and usually fall asleep quickly.” He checks his watch. “They’ll both be zonked out in about twenty minutes anyway.”

“Got it,” I say. “Go. I can handle this.”

Rubbing his hand over his head, a familiar Faris tic of mine as well, he grins. “Okay. Great. Knock if you need anything.”

“I won’t need anything.” No fucking way am I disturbing them. I don’t know if they’ll be asleep or taking advantage of the time in other ways. I’m not going to be the one to interrupt either. “No worries.”

“I appreciate it.” He walks toward the hall and disappears down it. The sound of a door opening travels the short distance and closes right after.

I look at Mack, still grinning at me as he reaches for my nose, giggling when he runs his tiny fingers over my unshaven face. I rub my chin. “Yeah, I know. I need to shave.” Slipping down to the floor, I put Mack on his tummy beside his sister. “Maybe you two can help me out. I need some advice.” Posey looks at me, her dimples revealed when she smiles.

They have the cutest kids that ever existed. No surprise since the Faris genes held strong.

Poppy comesinto the living room with a baby on each hip. “Hey,” she greets me with a smile as she passes.

I sit up from the couch and click the game off. “Hey. I didn’t hear them cry.”

“They weren’t. I was up, so I checked in on them.” She laughs. “They were in their cribs but playing with each other across the room. Making faces. Humming. Happy.”

Getting up, I go into the kitchen and take Posey while she sets Mack in his highchair and fastens him in. She reaches for Posey and latches her in next to him. “They’re hungry when they get up from a nap.”

“I am, too, so I get it.”

Her ponytail swings when she laughs. “There’s food in the fridge if you want something.”

I stretch, feeling bent after lounging on the couch for so long. “No, I’m going to take off. There are a few things I need to do.”

“Thanks for staying. That was sweet, Shane.”

Leaning against the marble island, I say, “You guys have been through a lot, but if you ever need anyone or need help, you can call me.”

“I appreciate that.” She pauses while she adjusts the kids. “I can’t imagine a better life. Truly. I feel like I’m living in a dream all because Laird gave me the opposite of what I grew up with. Love and being actively present in my and the babies’ lives. He wants to spend time with me . . .” She runs a finger under Mack’s chin, then tickles Posey. They are more than happy to hit the trays with their fists from excitement. “I love the twins more than anything. They keep me busy and tired, so my alone time with Laird is limited. It helps that the band isn’t on the road this summer. Not all summer, that is.”

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