Page 64 of One Pucking Life

DELANEY

Caroline looks adorable with her orange face. We’ve introduced sweet potatoes this week, and she’s a big fan. As always, only half of it makes it into her mouth. The rest gets smeared across her face and in her hair.

“You don’t even look like you got any in your mouth,” I say with a chuckle.

She responds by slapping her palms against the tray, splashing pureed orange mush everywhere.

“Okay, that’s enough of that.” I take the tray away, and she frowns, lips puckering. The tears don’t come until I grab a damp rag and start wiping her hands and face. For a baby who loves making a mess, she sure hates being cleaned up.

“You’re fine,” I reassure her, wiping sweet potato from her neck.

Her screams say otherwise. She would very much like me to know she is, in fact, not fine.

Even wailing, she’s the most precious little thing. As much as I love Max, I think I might love her even more. It’s been a couple of weeks since Max and I said the big scary “L” word,and honestly, it’s been amazing ever since. The three of us feel like a beautiful little family. I admit, I’ve been thinking about it a lot—probably more than I should, considering we’ve only been officially together a few weeks—but it’s hard not to picture my future here. If Max and I work out, I’ll be the only mother Caroline remembers.

I would be amother. Her mom.

The thought is equal parts terrifying and thrilling. The truth is, I already love her like my own. She’s so perfect, it’s impossible not to.

Once she’s cleaned up, I pull her from the high chair and settle her on my hip. “Nap time,” I tell her with a grin.

Let’s be honest—nap time is sacred. Two uninterrupted hours that help me reset my sanity.

I’m just about to carry Caroline upstairs when the doorbell rings.

“Well, who could that be?” I ask the now-grumpy baby on my hip. She’s fussy, and I bounce her gently as I open the door.

“Hi!” A skinny, bleached blonde beams at me. “Oh my gosh,” she squeals, “look how big little Candice has grown!” She bends down, shrieking in Caroline’s face, which makes the baby immediately cry.

“It’s Caroline,” I correct, my voice flat. “Can I help you?” I ask, trying to soothe the seven-month-old now wailing against my chest.

“Oh, you must be the new nanny. Nice to meet you! I’m Brittani with an ‘I.’ Can you let Max know I’m here?”

My chest tightens, a ripple of anxiety flooding through me. “Yeah, one second. Wait here, please.”

I turn and walk down the hall, trying to settle Caroline again. Now that we’re away from the peppy blonde, she rests her head on my shoulder, worn out. Poor girl just needs a nap.

As I approach the office, I remember Jaden’s here today. Their voices drift through the door, and I don’t intend to eavesdrop—but Max’s words stop me cold. I freeze.

“She’s relentless,” Max says. “She DMed me again last week.”

“You didn’t tell Laney about that?” Jaden asks.

“No,” Max replies. “Why would I?”

“Dude, Laney’s smart,” Jaden says. “If she finds out about Aubrey on her own, it might not go well.”

“Yeah,” Max sighs. “I know. I just don’t want to hurt her.”

“Just be honest with her.”

Max scoffs. “Easier said than done.”

I knock gently on the doorframe and step into the office. “Hey,” I say. “You have a visitor.”

He raises a brow. “Who?”

“Brittani,” I reply, then pause just long enough to add, “with an I.”

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