Page 49 of Perfectly Complicated
“Anytime.”
The second the door closes, I sink onto the couch. “Sorry about that.” I adjust Aria in my arms. “Scarlett has zero filter when she gets curious.”
“Don’t apologize.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’d be asking questions too if my best friend came home with a hockey player.”
Rourke glances at Aria and I can’t tell what he thinks about her—or spending the next few weeks with a baby in the house.
The last time he was around my kindergartners, it was a disaster. And the only baby I’ve seen him with is Rosie, which went surprisingly well, butstill.This is different. She’smybaby.
“You want to meet Aria?” I ask.
“If that’s alright with you,” he says, approaching her slowly.
I settle Aria on the play mat expecting her to reach for me. She hasn’t been around a lot of men since Nick hasn’t been part of our lives. To my surprise, she just watcheshim as he sits on the floor next to her.
“Hey there, little one,” he says softly as she crawls over to him and pulls herself up using his knee. “I’m Rourke.”
Aria stares up at him with wide eyes, clearly fascinated by this new giant person in her space. She babbles something that sounds like “ba-ba-ba” before reaching for his face.
“Yeah?” he responds seriously, like they’re having an actual conversation. “That’s very interesting.”
She lets out a giggle and tumbles into his lap.
“She likes you,” I say, watching their interaction.
“Well, she’s got good taste.” Rourke gently places her on the floor.
Aria seems to think this is the best game ever and immediately tries to climb him again, this time grabbing on to his shirt with her tiny fists.
“She isn’t usually this friendly with strangers,” I say.
“It’s my magnetic personality.” He glances at me with a smile that makes my stomach flutter. Then he turns to her, like they’re the only people in the room. “I’ll be staying here for a while, Aria. Is that okay with you?”
She stares at him for a moment, then lifts her arms up—the universal baby sign forpick me up.
She doesn’t do that for just anyone, usually only for me. And occasionally Scarlett or Gabriella after they’ve spent hours with her. But not someone she just met a few minutes ago.
“I think she’s made up her mind about you,” I laugh.
He picks her up, then stands, settling her on his hip like he’s done it a thousand times before. “Well, babies either love you or hate you when you meet them. There’s no in between.” He makes a silly face at her, and when she giggles, his whole face lights up. “And they love people who can be complete goofballs, so I’ve got that in my favor.”
Watching him with her, the way he gives her his complete attention, is making me wish this could be real.
This is what I wanted for her—a man who doesn’t just tolerate my daughter, but wants to be part of her world.
What Rourke doesn’t know is that he just passed the most important test there is.
FIFTEEN
Rourke
“Another win!” Miles shouts as he comes into the locker room, which is already electric with victory after our game—guys whooping, music blasting, someone spraying a bottle of San Pellegrino like it’s champagne.
I should be riding this high since I played well tonight—two goals along with shutting down their power play.
But all I can think about is whether Aria will still be awake when I get home.
“Riley!” Brax shouts over the noise, grinning as he pulls his jersey over his head. “What a game, man. That hit in the second period?—”
