Page 25 of One More Kiss

“Sometimes you need a full belly to feel sleepy, huh? I remember not sleeping much because I was hungry. Those pangs seem so much worse at night.”

Levi’s eyes closed, his dark lashes settling against his plump cheeks. I waited, breath held, but his mouth fell open and the nipple slid out. I chuckled softly.

“Yeah, I get it. You were tired but wired.” I set the bottle aside and rubbed my thumb between his tiny eyebrows, the spot Aya loved to kiss. “Sleep, Levi. You’re safe and you’re loved.”

“You ever wish you did that with me?” Nash asked.

I looked back over my shoulder and found him lounging against a nearby tree. He still had purplish shadows under his eyes but he seemed more awake. He’d slipped into jeans and his sneakers to go with his T-shirt. He looked like a college boy, not a multi-platinum performer with a kid of his own.

“Yeah,” I said, voice catching. “The more I do with Levi, the more I wish I’d had that time with you.”

“Hmm.”

I started to rise, planning to offer Levi to Nash and take my leave. He lifted a hand and shook his head.

“You good with him?” Nash asked.

Tenderness filled my chest as I took in my grandson. “Yeah. I like holding him.”

Nash smiled, his eyes soft as he looked at his son. “There’s something about a baby that mellows you.” He glanced up. “You know?”

“Yeah.” My voice was gruff thanks to the emotion clogging my throat. “I never knew that. Till now. I…” I exhaled through my nose, trying to keep my pulse calm. Taking in Levi’s angelic face, so innocent in slumber, helped. “I wish I’d had a better role model. Been a better role model to you.”

Nash settled on the ground next to me, his arms slung across his knees. “Can’t go back.”

“Nope. And I’m trying to let the regret go. I just want you to know that I love you, son.”

The left side of Nash’s mouth lifted in a partial smile. “Glad someone beside Aya does,” he quipped.

“I’m serious,” I said stiffly.

“Don’t get so defensive. I know. And that means a lot.”

I swallowed down my disappointment. Nash might not ever be ready to tell me he loved me.

“Tell me about your parents,” Nash said.

“Why?”

“Because I want to know you,” he said.

I settled back a little, staring out into the gurgling water while I opened up to him.

“Pretty fucked up life,” Nash said when I finished.

“Hey! He doesn’t need to hear that,” I said.

Nash chuckled. “He’s sleeping, but I’ll keep my words from here on out PG.”

“Good. That’s my grandson you’re corrupting.”

Nash laughed again. My heart lifted. Sure, he wasn’t ready to admit to us having a true bond, but he was lighter than usual—almost carefree. I liked spending time with him. I wanted more of these memories with my family.

My mind flashed back to dinner with Jasmine last night. I wanted more of that, too.

“I’m in love with Jasmine Grace,” I said quickly, before I let the fear get the better of me.

Nash sobered and studied me. The moment dragged out and my heart began to pound. Then he said, “I know.”

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