Page 179 of Wild Card

“Here we go.” Without a beat, Ace is on the move.

Ford, Major, and I follow with less urgency. The girls warned us this may happen. Apparently, Jewls discovered Harley had been eyeing some kind of baby sleeper that is all the rage with new moms. Jay denied her interest because of the astronomical cost.

I offered to buy it outright, Ford and Major doing the same.

Tom beat us to it.

Shayla dug into her contacts and found one at wholesale price. She mentioned it at the bar one night, and he handed her his credit card and told her to‘fucking buy that baby the damn sleeper.’

When we get to the party of women, Jay is leaned over an empty bassinet, running her fingers along the edge while crying.Her mom, Amanda, scoots her chair, giving Ace room to lift Harley into his arms. She sobs, mumbling about Tom being a big teddy bear.

He rolls his eyes but doesn’t say a word.

I tuck Willow to my side. “Isn’t that sweet?”

“Jay bawling her eyes out over a baby bed?”

She tilts her face to mine. “It’s the sentiment. It’s a Baby Snoo, not a bed.”

“Whatever.”

“With all your friends having babies, you should try to understand these things.”

“You having my baby, I’ll understand.”

Her green eyes glow at the comment, and a loud sigh pulls my attention to my mom. She’s bright with the glow of utter joy.

Willow’s face heats but she doesn’t back out of my hold. “Are you having fun?”

“Last night, we dined on prime rib and had a bar flowing with alcohol. Today, we’re fighting over fucking finger sandwiches and watching a bunch of women play bingo.”

“It is crazy how we went from a formal soiree to a backyard baby bash. And I’ll inform you those finger sandwiches are made from the prime rib, and the alcohol is still flowing. As soon as the presents are opened, we’ll pop the champagne.”

“That mean these women are staying all night?”

“Doubtful since some of us have to work tomorrow. And most of them have children at home, driving their dads crazy.”

“Good, I’m ready to end this weekend deep inside you.”

Her head swings around, her hair whipping across my face. “Your mom,” she hisses.

“She walked away. Probably to pop that champagne you mentioned in celebration of me having kids one day.”

Willow’s lips twitch before she burst into giggles. “Such a way with words.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

Her laughter grows louder and she faceplants into my chest.

“Seriously, Princess. Love seeing you having a good time, but I’m ready to have you to myself.”

“Addie and Carson have plans for us tonight,” she mumbles into my shirt.

“Of course they do.” Ford’s sisters have been vocal about wanting to discuss their ideas for a bachelorette party. “I’ll be glad when these people leave tomorrow.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch movement by the back gate. Robbie, Finn, and Max all jerk their chins and disappear around the corner of the house.

The hair on the back of my neck stands, my skin prickling.

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