Page 172 of Make the Play

Charlie passes him to me without a word, just drops him into my arms like she knew I needed it. Now he’s sleeping againstmy chest, all warm weight and soft breaths, one tiny fist curled under his chin, judging brunch from the safety of his nap.

My hand brushes gently over his back as I get comfortable on the couch, just me and him. But I feel the moment Chase walks in, his whole body shifting behind me as if he’s trying to breathe quieter, just to watch longer.

I don’t look at him, but I can feel the smile creeping onto his face as he comes around to the side.

“What,” I mutter without moving.

“Nothing,” he says quickly. “Literally nothing.”

I glance over at him and see his face soften.

“Oh my god,” I whisper, adjusting Theo against my chest. “You’re feral.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re having a full-blown husband fantasy right now.”

“I—” Chase blinks. “That’s not—shut up.”

I smirk. “You’re picturing it, aren’t you? Me, you. Tiny Golden Retriever babies running around with chubby thighs and snack crumbs in their fists.”

He groans, dragging a hand down his face. “Stop. I will propose to you right here in front of your godson and ruin the vibes for everyone.”

I raise a brow. “You aresoemotionally unwell.”

“For you.”

Charlie snorts from across the room. “Can you two save the foreplay for literallyanywhereelse?”

“I’m being slandered,” Chase mutters, scooting down next to me. “I haven’t even touched her.”

“Yet,” I say sweetly, still rocking Theo.

Chase shoots me a look that could melt the furniture, then his gaze drops again to Theo in my arms. To my hand tracing soft, lazy lines along his tiny back, and something achy changes in his expression again.

He leans in, brushing his lips just barely over my shoulder.

“You look good like that,” he murmurs.

“Jesus,” I mutter. “You’re worse than I thought.”

“What?”

“You’re giving total wife-guy with a breeding kink right now.”

He grins, dragging his lips up to the side of my neck and kissing gently. “Only because you’re hot, and nurturing, and you’d clearly have the coolest babies in the world… with me.”

“You’re twenty-five.”

He groans. “Not this again.”

“I’m older than you.”

“It’s four and a half years, Zo.”

“It’s four and a halfvery importantyears.”

“To who? The government?”

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