Page 29 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

“This is so cute,” the cashier cooed.

“I know. That’s why I couldn’t pass it up.” I paid and slipped the bag into my larger tote before Melody could notice. It was a small thing, but it made me feel like I was contributing something meaningful to this new chapter of her life.

We piled back into the car, all of us pleasantly exhausted and smelling like lavender and eucalyptus. The drive back to the beach house was quiet, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Melody had a content smile on her face, her head back and eyes closed.

I was happy for her. There was no doubt about that. But I also wanted what she had.

CHAPTER 11

CASH

We were down by the beach, chairs arranged in a loose circle, cold beers in hand. The afternoon sun was just warm enough to fight back the cool breeze coming off the water. It should have been relaxing. It was for the most part. It was just making me anxious to feel relaxed. Confusing, but I was not the type that chilled by the beach. If I was by the beach, I usually had my laptop open or my phone glued to my ear while I negotiated million-dollar deals.

I didn’t know how to just not do something.

Finn was regaling us with some story about a disastrous date he had gone on in Los Angeles. Austin was laughing so hard he nearly spilled his beer. Kent sat slightly apart from us, baby Tiana cradled in his arms, making those small cooing sounds that babies made.

I was on my second beer, which was about my limit for daytime drinking. I rarely got drunk. Another fact to support my stick-in-the-mud personality.

“So then she tells me she’s actually married to the guy whose car we just keyed.”

“Wait, you keyed someone’s car?” I interrupted.

“She keyed it. I was just an innocent bystander.”

“That’s not how the law works,” I said.

Finn shrugged. “That’s not how your version of the law works. My version involves plausible deniability.”

Austin shook his head. “You’re going to end up in jail one day.”

“Probably.” Finn smiled. “But what a story it’ll be.”

Kent suddenly stood up. “I need to go warm up a bottle for Tiana,” he announced.

I didn’t understand why it required an announcement. Then, before I could process what was happening, he was walking toward me with the baby extended in his arms like an offering.

“What are you doing? Dude. What? No. Kent. No.”

“Just hold her for a minute.” He grinned like the devil. “I’ll be right back.”

“Kent!”

She was already in my arms and Kent was walking away with entirely too much satisfaction for someone who just committed baby abandonment.

I looked down at Tiana, who blinked up at me with big hazel eyes. She was wearing some kind of pink dress with enough fluff to hide the fact she was a tiny thing.

“This isn’t funny,” I called after Kent.

“It’s not supposed to be,” Austin said. “Just hold your damn niece.”

I stared at my brothers, looking for help. None was given.

Finn had his phone out, snapping pictures. “This is very funny. Oh man, wait until the family group chat sees this.”

“If you send those, I will destroy you.”

“Noted. Sending them anyway.”