Page 75 of Falling Stars

BAYLEE

After nearly hyperventilatingin the nursery, I jump in the shower to have a good, private freakout. I don’t want to hurt Maverick’s feelings. My mind is absolutely blown by how thoughtful his surprise was today, but I’m also overwhelmed.

Part of me hates that I can’t provide those things for my son, but the other part of me is so grateful, I could fall to the floor at Mav’s feet.

Once I have my emotions under control, I dry off and get into my jammies, which are some loose flannel sleep pants and a t-shirt.

I tiptoe into the living room to find Leo passed out on Maverick’s broad chest. Holy freaking swoon. Mav’s watching a baseball game while he gently rubs Leo’s back.

When Mav sees me, he smiles. “He did tummy time like a champ. Think that wore him out.”

“You’re so good with him.” I motion behind me. “Should I put him in the crib tonight? It’s going to be weird not to have him with me.”

Mav’s eyes soften. “Paige just emailed me that the bedroomfurniture is arriving sooner than she thought. What if we drag the crib into our room? At least for a while?”

Our room? God, I love the sound of that. “You won’t mind?”

“If it’ll make feeding him at two a.m. easier, why would I mind?”

“Thank you. That would be great.”

“In the meanwhile, we can keep him out here with us if you want.”

I smile. Mav is such a good man.

My heart pangs wildly, and I press my hand to my chest. I can’t pretend I don’t love Maverick. He stole my heart when I was a girl, and he’s had it in his pocket ever since.

But loving him will make the end that much harder.

I won’t think about that now. We have a few weeks, and I need to make the most of that. Because when the time comes, he’s going to choose football, and that’s okay. He’s worked his entire life to have this career, and I won’t be the one to derail that.

Leaning over, I run my hand through his hair and kiss him. “Are you hungry? I can make us some dinner.”

“If you take Leo, I can whip us up something.”

“I don’t mind. Let’s get him in his basket, we’ll ice your neck and shoulder, and I’ll make some pasta. That okay?”

“Sounds great. And don’t worry about the dishes. I’ll take care of them since you’re cooking.”

I nip his bottom lip. “You’re a damn good boyfriend, Maverick.” Holy shit. I’m dating Maverick Walker.And I just called him my boyfriend!I wait with bated breath to see how he responds.

With amusement in his eyes, he tangles his fingers through my hair before he kisses me back. “You’re a damn fine woman, Baylee. You make it easy.”

I replay those words in my mind the entire time I cook.

We enjoy a quiet dinner, and then I get Leo ready for bed. “Who’s Mama’s big boy?” I coo at him.

That gets me a half grin. I use my finger to lift the other side, and he giggles.

My eyes widen and I turn to Mav. “Did you hear that?”

Mav scoots closer. “Bro, do you have a permit for that? Pretty sure you can’t just giggle whenever you want.” Then he pokes Leo’s little belly, and my son lets out a peal of laughter.

“Yay! You laughed!” I clap.

We spend the next ten minutes trying to make him giggle again. Mav and I make goofy faces and fart sounds and hop around like monkeys. We probably look insane, but Leo’s into it.

I kiss my son’s neck, hoping for another giggle, but he yawns. “I guess I should nurse him and get him to bed. Should I use the bottle or breastfeed?”

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