Page 105 of His Surrender

She doesn’t miss a beat.

“I don’t know.” She taps her chin thoughtfully. “You just spent an hour lifting heavy things.”

“I did.”

“I’m pretty confident I could outrun you.”

I stare at her for exactly one second before I laugh so hard that I have to lean forward, my elbows falling to my knees.

“You think that’s funny?” she asks, trying—and failing—not to smile.

“I think …” I shake my head. “I think you’ve become entirely too comfortable teasing me.”

“You make it easy.”

“That’s a dangerous habit.”

“So I’ve been told.”

As if deciding she’s been ignored long enough, Liana lets out a little whine from her swing.

I look over. “Well, someone has opinions.”

I push myself off the couch and cross the room. “There you are, Peanut.”

The second I lift her into my arms, the fussing stops.

“Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be?” I ask, settling her against my chest. “You just wanted an audience?”

She answers with a gummy smile.

“I knew it.”

I kiss her tiny belly through her footed sleeper, and she squeals.

I do it again and am rewarded with another delighted laugh filling the room.

“There it is.” I smile. “That’s my favorite sound.”

Behind me, Aubrey lets out a quiet sigh.

I glance over my shoulder. “What?”

She smiles, her expression impossibly soft. “Nothing.”

I adjust Liana higher on my shoulder. “You’re doing that thing again.”

“What thing?” she answers.

“Looking at me.”

She shrugs. “I can’t help it.”

“Oh?”

“I think”—her smile grows— “the way you make her laugh might be even more attractive than the gym shorts.”

I laugh. “Well, that’s good.”