Page 27 of Falling Stars

Did Paige swing by here and accidentally leave this behind? When she offered to manage my rental, I accepted, but maybe she has too much going on with Ella.

It’s a dark night, so I can’t see much out the windows, but I’m pretty sure the condo overlooks the river. The couch faces a large flatscreen TV. Perfect. I plan to plant my ass on those cushions for the foreseeable future.

I hobble over to the living room, about to look for the remote when I freeze.

Curled up on one leg of the L-shaped couch is a curvy woman with long dark hair. She’s facing the back of the couch, and wearing some kind of thin, white tank top that rides up her back, making her round ass jut out. Below that tank is a tiny pair of hot pink boy shorts that outline her gorgeous shape.

Holy shit. I glance down, and to my surprise, I have a raging erection.

I scrub my face, relief vying with annoyance in my chest. Itwould’ve been helpful to have some privacy for the return of my dick, but no, I have to deal with a strange woman sleeping in my condo.

“Wah!” a little voice screeches, and I hop back, which makes my head throb again. My dick instantly deflates at the angry howl. “Wahhhh!”

That’s when I notice the basket with a fucking baby nestled between the couch and my coffee table.

The woman stirs and pulls up to a seated position, but her hair covers her face. My heart pounds as I wait to see if her face is as beautiful as the rest of her. With a swipe of her hand, she shoves it away, and I freeze.

A gorgeous creature stares back at me. Big brown eyes fringed with long lashes blink sleepily. Pouty lips the color of ripe berries make an O-shape. Long tousled hair hangs down over her slender shoulders.

“Baylee?”

She screams and stares up at me like I’m an axe murderer. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I hold out my hands. “I’m sorry. It’s me. Don’t freak out.”

I’m not sure what I expect. Maybe a smile? Maybe a hug from my long-lost best friend? Maybe a “Hey, Maverick, it’s so good to see you” kind of greeting? But she glares at me like I’m the Devil here to snatch her child. “Maverick Walker, don’t you dare sneak up on a woman like that. I nearly had a heart attack.”

I struggle not to laugh. “Bay, I hate to point out the obvious, but thisismy condo.”

I’m teasing, but she doesn’t break a smile. Instead, she leans over to pick up the baby. “Thank you, Captain Obvious. Not sure I would’ve known that.”

Yeah, she’s pissed. “Is this… is this your son? Is this Leo?”

“Yup.” Although her tone with me is dismissive, she’s anything but that as she snuggles Leo. The love in her eyes asshe calms her baby is unmistakable. I’ve always known Baylee would be an incredible mother.

Holy shit. Baylee had a baby.Until this moment, it hasn’t felt real. Leo is cute with big eyes and a curly tuft of blond hair. Sometimes babies look squishy, but this little guy is picture perfect, like he belongs on a jar of organic baby food.

Pride for my oldest friend swells in my chest before guilt slams into me for being MIA these last few months. Damn, I never sent her the presents from her registry. Pretty sure I saw her name flash on my phone recently, but I was too pissed off at the world to answer. I point to the cushion a few feet away from her. “May I?”

She gives me a look. “It’s your condo. Do whatever you want.”

Again, not the friendly welcome I was expecting. I gingerly settle on the couch while I watch her snuggle the baby. Why prolong this? “I’m sorry. I’ve been an ass. I should’ve called.”

“It’s fine. You have your life. I have mine.” She takes a deep breath and presses a hand into one eye, then the other. “Sorry I’m grumpy. I haven’t slept in five years.”

“I know the feeling.” That gets me another look, and I chuckle. “I mean, you have it worse. I only tore my rotator cuff, suffered a concussion, and fractured my C5 vertebrae.” I’m teasing. I’m sure nothing beats gestating a baby for nine months and then taking care of an infant.

“That’s crazy.” Her eyes narrow. “Why aren’t you in the hospital?” She looks me up and down. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like shit.”

A real honest-to-God laugh busts out of me. I haven’t smiled or laughed in so long that it feels foreign. I ignore the throbbing in my skull. “Fuck, I’ve missed you.”

She finally cracks a smile. “I’ve missed you too, you annoying asshole. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I’m supposedly a medical marvel. So there’s that.” I rub the back of my neck. “I’d ask for a hug, but it looks like you have your hands full. Plus, you’re in your underwear. Not that I mind, but maybe you do.” I try not to look at her chest, but from my peripheral vision, I see her full tits strain against the thin fabric of her tank, and my dick tries to salute her.Huh. Two boners in one night. Maybe I’m not broken beyond repair after all.

Baylee finally takes note of what she’s wearing and gasps. Pulling a blanket over her and Leo, she shakes her head. “Having a baby is like getting your brain sucked out of your body. If my head wasn’t screwed on, I would’ve left it somewhere by now. Ignore my obviously sexy outfit.”

I can see it on her face. She thinks she looks like crap, but I swear I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful. Motherhood suits her. “I’m sure it’s been tough. Is Sean helping at all?”

---