Always Only You by Chloe Liese (z-lib.org).epub

you’re bringing Frankie to a family event—”
“Annabelle,” I warn.
Ren smiles at me, then turns and looks at Annie. “I am. She gets to meet
everyone today. Thoughts and prayers appreciated. I’m one of seven, so it can be
a bit much.”
“Ah,” Lo says. “So that’s why Frankie’s been sitting here, looking like she’s
about to poop herself.”
“You know, guys…” I stand slowly from the recliner next to Annie. “I’d say
I hate to leave, but I’m a shit liar, so to everyone except Naomi, who’s never
said a snarky word, I say, smell ya later.”
I give Annie a gentle hug first, then make the rounds until we’re at the door.
“Wait!” Annie calls.
Ren and I freeze, then turn around. “What is it?” I ask her.
Tim smiles sheepishly. “My grandma has the kind of crush on Ren that you
probably never want to know about and she’s sick with a cold, so she can’t come
to the hospital to meet the baby. I thought it might make her decade if we got a
picture of him holding Naomi and sent it to her.”
I’m about to be all no-BS-Frankie and decline for Ren—because shouldn’t a
guy just get to be a man sometimes, rather than a jersey?—but Ren just shrugs
and comes forward.
“I don’t mind. Sure.”
Annie looks at me and mouths, Sorry.
I point to Ren and shrug. If he doesn’t care, I don’t. I simply feel protective
of him. He’s always smiling, always being nice, always signing things. I want
him to say no when he wants to. And when he’s having a hard time, I’m happy
to step in, as an expert.
“Let me wash my hands real quick.” Ren uses soap and water at the sink,
eyes on his task. I watch him, stupidly enjoying how his hair kicks out around
his ball cap, his scruffy playoff beard, the purse of his lips as he concentrates.
Staring at him, I feel all warm and fuzzy. That big L-word bangs around my
head, and I practically smother it.
Too soon. Not yet. Slow down.
“Here.” Ren takes Naomi gently from Lorena, capably spinning her to nestle
inside his forearm.
Jesus Walking on the Water. I’ve seen Ren hold babies before, but not…
“My baby,” I mutter.
“She’s not your baby.” Lo swats my butt playfully. “She’s mine.”
“She’s our baby,” Annie says diplomatically.
Tim gets the camera close and catches the exact moment Naomi’s eyes blink