Page 7 of Baby for My Best Friend's Brother

I clear my throat. “Look, I?—”

“Uncle Cliff! Uncle Cliff!”

We both turn and I drop to one knee in time to catch a little blur of pink before she can knock into me.”

“Annalise!” I release an oof as she throws her arms around me, knocking her knee into my gut in the process. “How are you doing, girly?”

“I’m good.” She plants a wet kiss on my cheek and pulls back to tell me all about a game she’s playing with a couple of the other kids in attendance.

I glance up at Sophie to apologize but catch the soft smile on her lips. Her eyes have gone all soft, making my gut clench.

“Friend of yours?” she asks, when Annalise pauses for breath.

“Something like that.” I make the introductions and explain that Annalise is my best friend from high school’s girl.

I mean it when I say I haven’t lit up the social scene, but I have caught up with a few friends. For some reason, Kyle’s kids have taken a shine to me.

Annalise curtseys to Sophie, earning another one of those heart-melting grins, then grabs my hands.

“Uncle Cliff, will you come play with us?”

“I…” I’m torn.

Ordinarily, I’d have no problem ditching small talk. Kids are easier to talk to than adults. They tell the truth and don’t want anything besides your company.

This is different.

There’s something about Sophie, something that has gripped me to the core. It makes me want to spend every second I can with her.

“Go on,” Sophie urges, ending my turmoil. “We can talk again later.”

“Yeah. We’ll talk later.” I slowly rise to my feet, holding her gaze steady with mine. “It’s a date.”

Annalise tugs my hand again, and I scoop her up in my arms. I toss her in the air, making her burst into giggles and earning another Sophie Smile.

“C’mon.” I settle her on my hip. “Let’s go get in trouble.”

Though, as I take a parting look at Sophie, I suspect I’m already in deep, deep trouble as far as she’s concerned.

THREE

SOPHIE

I try my best to follow the conversation Winter is having with one of her neighbors.

Really, I do. It’s something about the best fruits and vegetables to grow in this terrain. I’m sure it’s helpful, interesting even.

But every time I come remotely close to catching up with the topic, I get a fresh glimpse of the scene playing out across the yard. Winter’s brother and his band of kiddos seem to be having the time of their life.

Cliff rears and nays as the little boy riding his broad shoulders pulls on his ears. The rest of the Cliff Fan Club erupts in a chorus of belly laughs.

I instinctively grin. It’s impossible to ignore the way his dark eyes sparkle or the way his smile transforms his strong bearded jaw.

He’s not what I expected. Of course, Winter described Cliff as a reclusive grump. I pictured a man who stood on the outskirts of a party grumbling and scowling at anyone who came close.I suppose that’s kind of how he seemed when he first arrived. Yet, he’s come nowhere close to fitting that description since she introduced us.

Not only did he show up to the party with ice—a truly thoughtful surprise delivery in the middle of a party—but he chatted me up and even offered to guide me around town during my stay.

That’s to say nothing about the way he’s immediately jumped into Uncle Cliff mode.

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