Page 44 of The Playboy's Playbook

Matt ruffles Clay’s hair and presses a kiss to the top of his head. “You’re welcome, bud.”

Instead of sitting in his chair to open the final gift – my gift – Clay picks up the bag and walks over to me. “Auntie Lala, can I sit with you while I open your gift?”

Auntie Lala.

I’m thrown off but honored at the same time. I try my best to fight back tears as I nod and scoot over so he can sit next to me. Jen makes his way over and climbs onto my lap. Luke walks over and stands next to Matt, trash bag still in hand.

Clay begins opening his gift much slower than the other gifts. He finally pulls out the first part of his gift, a small tabletop frame filled with white sand and various seashells. He turns to show his dad and Luke smiles happily at Clay.

Clay passes the frame gently to Matt so it won’t break before continuing to the second gift, my favorite gift I got him. He pulls out the box and opens it, revealing a pair of black cowboy boots, sturdy enough to withstand anything a seven-year-old boy throws at it.

Luke’s shown me videos of baby Clay crawling to Matt’s boots, trying to stand in them. It was the cutest thing, so when I saw boots just like Matt’s while shopping, I knew I had to get them for Clay.

“Oh, I love them, Auntie Lala! Thank you, thank you!” He turns to me and wraps his arms tightly around my neck. I hold him close with one hand, careful to keep my other on Jen so he won’t slide off of my lap.

“You’re welcome, Boots,” I say, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Can you call me Boots forever?” Clay asks, his eyes wide with wonder.

I nod and smile, the tears threatening to spill once again. “Of course.”

Jen shifts in my lap. “I want a cool name. Daddy, when’s my birthday so I can get a cool name?”

Everyone bursts into laughter, but Matt looks at me like we’re the only people here. We may not have spoken about what we are, but it’s very clear that we feel the same way about each other.

I don’t want to hang the summer over our heads, but come the end of August, I’m heading back to my life in D.C. and Matt will stay here because this is where he belongs.

I didn’t plan on any of this happening this summer.

I planned my entire life around my career. I was going to prove to everyone on Capitol Hill that I’m more than the average southern belle. I was going to go to the top law school in the country, work at a major firm representing people who have been left to fend for themselves, and then run for Congress.

I was going to be one of Alabama’s greatest senators and make actual change. I was going to marry a good guy – a doctor or even a lawyer. My plan was fool proof until Matt entered my life again.

Now, I’m not so sure if I want to stick to my plan at all.

Chapter Twenty-One

MATT

“Are you sure about this, Matty?” Laila asks as I finish packing a few water bottles and other snacks into a cooler while she cuddles Nola, peppering her with kisses.

It’s the Fourth of July and Laila and I plan on going to watch the fireworks show together, this time at the sports complex. We don’t plan on staying long because we don’t want Nola to get too upset and anxious because of the sounds, but we wanted to go out and experience the show like any other couple, especially since we stayed in for the Memorial Day show.

“She’ll be okay, baby. We’re coming right back for her,” I reassure Laila.

Laila doesn’t take her eyes off of Nola. “I know, but…what if she gets scared without me being here? Maybe we shouldn’t go, Matty. We can just stay here and watch it on the balcony. She was fine when we did that.”

“If you don’t want to go, then we don’t have to. I’ll do whatever you want.” I kiss her shoulder and wait for her to answer.

Laila thinks for a moment before she releases a deep sigh before she turns to look up at me, Nola still clutched tightly in her arms.

“No, no. Let’s go. But can we –”

I cut her off, finishing her sentence for her. “Leave early? Of course.”

Laila’s shoulders relax and she leans in, placing a soft kiss on my lips. “Thank you,” she whispers.

“Anything for you.” I release my hold on Laila and walk over to grab the cooler and blanket that’s on the kitchen island. Laila carries Nola to her kennel and sets her down, petting her behind her ears.

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