Page 54 of The Secrets We Built Together

I didn’t have any answer for that. Not really. She was right, but it was a hurt that still too fresh for me to able to accept it so easily.

“I never thought I’d want a family,” I admitted. “Everything I ever knew about family was twisted and painful. But then I came back here and I saw what Trace and Delaney have made for themselves. I watched as Booker found that with Reece. And I think… I think there’s something to be had in this whole family thing after all.”

She watched me with such understanding eyes that I felt myself sink into her gaze. I felt like a better man when she looked at me like she did. Like maybe I could live up to the small smile of confidence she had on her lips.

"What?" I asked.

She shook her head, a soft smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Nothing. Just... thank you. For all of this." She gesturedvaguely around the room. "For helping me with Amelia. For not judging me when I have no idea what I'm doing."

"Blake," I said softly, stepping closer to her, "if there's one thing I've learned, it's that none of us know what we're doing. We're all just pretending and hoping no one notices when we screw up."

"That's oddly comforting."

"I have my moments."

I glanced down at Amelia, who was starting to nod off in her high chair, her little eyelids fluttering as she fought to stay awake. I'd never seen anything so beautiful in my life.

"Let me give her a bath before she falls asleep completely," I said. "You've been on your feet all day too."

Blake looked like she was about to protest, then nodded. "You sure you know what you're doing?"

"Please. I'm a doctor," I said with mock indignation. "I think I can handle bathing an infant."

"Alright, Dr. Farrington," she said with a playful salute. "I'll be here if you need backup."

As I carried Amelia to the bathroom, I found myself humming softly, some half-remembered song from my own childhood. She blinked up at me with those trusting eyes, and something in my chest expanded, making it hard to breathe for a moment.

"Hey, little bug," I whispered. "How would you feel about us all being a family?"

Of course she didn’t answer, but something in my heart liked the sound of that idea.

A family.

Chapter 22

Blake

Istood in front of the bathroom mirror, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear—a nervous habit I'd never managed to break. Xander's reflection appeared behind me, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. His eyes met mine in the mirror.

"We need to practice at being better," he said.

I turned to face him. "Practice what?"

"Being a couple. In public." He rubbed the back of his neck—his own tell when he was uncomfortable. "The town's small. Everyone knows everyone's business. If we're going to convince Susan from DCFS that we're engaged, we need to be convincing to everyone else too. Yesterday at the bookshop was… not entirely convincing, I don’t think."

It had been a disaster that I was trying not to think about and from the slightly too tired look on Xander’s face I had a feeling he’d spent half the night worrying about it too.

My stomach fluttered and I tried to decide if that was a good thing or not.

"Right. Of course."

In the living room, Amelia cooed from her playmat, oblivious to the adults' awkward dance happening ten feet away.

"We should establish some ground rules," Xander said, moving past me to wash his hands. "Keep things... professional."

I snorted. "Professional fake fiancés. Is there a certification for that?"

This was moving in a weird direction. Although I had to admit over-thinking Xander was strangely amusing.

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