Page 25 of One Pucking Life

“You eat?” she asks.

“Grabbed something on the way home,” I lie.

She gives me a look that says she doesn’t believe me.

“Okay, fine.” I smile. “I didn’t. But you don’t have to cook for me. I’ll figure out something to eat in a bit.”

“I don’t mind,” she says. “I mean, I have to cook for myself anyway, and eventually Caroline. Your kitchen is pretty stocked,actually. It was easy to find ingredients. I made some alfredo pasta with broccoli if you want to warm some up.”

“Sounds like heaven.”

She throws back the blanket and hops up from the sofa. “I’ll be right back.” She stands and walks to the kitchen without waiting for a response. A few seconds later, she returns with a warmed plate and sets it in front of me. “Eat.”

I take a bite and moan softly. “So good. I thought you said you couldn’t cook.”

“I said I couldn’t guarantee my cooking was any good.” She grins, tucking herself back into her spot on the end of the couch beneath the blanket.

“Well, you’re definitely good, and while this is delicious, I’m serious when I say you don’t have to cook for me. Your only job is to care for Caroline.”

“First, you pay me enough to care for five Carolines. The least I can do is make extra when I’m already cooking for myself.”

“Five Carolines, huh?” I quirk a brow.

She shrugs. “You told me to name my price. I left room for negotiation. I had no idea you’d accept the first number I threw out.”

I nudge her foot beneath the blanket that’s stretched across the sofa. “Really? I told you I would.”

She presses her lips in a line, trying not to smile, and provides another shrug.

“Doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “I would’ve paid more.”

Her mouth falls open, causing me to laugh.

Delaney turns on a rerun of the showFriendson the TV, and we watch as I eat the pasta. It’s surreal how still and peaceful this space feels, and so very different. Just weeks ago, Jaden and I would’ve been playfully yelling at one another over a video game rivalry, thoughts of the one-night stand I had the evening before still fresh in my mind.

Now, Jaden is living with his girl, Anna, and our bachelor pad has turned into a home complete with a woman making me dinner and a child tucked away in her nursery. The contrast is blinding.

And while it hasn’t been long, that bachelor lifestyle seems like forever ago. Truth is, I don’t miss it. Perhaps because I’m too exhausted to miss it, though I think it’s more than that. My heart feels strangely full.

Delaney was right to encourage me to go back to work today. It felt good, especially knowing that Caroline was in the care of Delaney.

I set the now empty plate on the coffee table and look over at Delaney to thank her again for the meal. Her head is back against the sofa, and her eyes are closed. She took 100 percent of the nighttime baby duty last night, so it’s no surprise she’s exhausted.

“You should go to bed,” I say softly, squeezing her leg.

She opens her eyes, startled, and blinks a few times, and I find the innocence that lines her features simply adorable. She yawns and stretches her arms above her head. “Yeah, I should head to bed. Who knows when your little cherub is going to wake tonight.”

“Do you want me to take a night shift?” I ask.

She puckers her lips and looks at me with furrowed brows. “Are you kidding me? That’s what you pay me the big bucks for. You need a good night's sleep. You have a game tomorrow night, right?”

“Yeah.” I nod.

“Exactly. So don’t even worry about it.” She stands. “Good night, Max.”

“Night, Laney.”

I linger in the living room a little longer, eyes on the TV, though I couldn’t tell you what was playing. Eventually, I pushto my feet, turn it off, and take my dishes to the kitchen, rinsing them before placing them in the dishwasher.

---