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He needs to hear it all.
“Mornin’,” Ayden greets as he walks into the kitchen with messy brown hair, shirtless, and sweats hanging low on his hips.
“How’d you sleep?” I ask, fighting the urge to stare.
“Great. Your bed is damn comfy. You sure you don’t miss it?” The taunting tone in his voice has me wanting to play his little game, but Serena’s sitting at the table, so I don’t.
“Coffee?” I ask instead.
“Yes, please.”
He grabs a mug, and I pour him some.
“What’s on the agenda today, ladies?”
“Shoppin’!” Serena squeals.
“Where’re we goin’?”
“The boutique. My mom wants to see you,” I tell him.
He gulps down his sip. “Oh. Why do I feel nervous like she’s about to whip my butt into next year?”
I chuckle, remembering the first time Mama caught us alone in my room. She nearly chased him out with a wooden spoon.
“Serena’s been talkin’ about you nonstop, so she’s excited to see ya.”
“Should I wear a cup?” he whispers.
“I think you’re in the clear. She already knows we had sex and made a baby,” I whisper back.
“I heard that,” Serena announces, and my eyes widen.
“No, you didn’t,” I retort, hoping I’m right.
“Were you and Daddy married when I was born?”
“No, sweetie. We weren’t,” I tell her honestly.
“Oh. I better call Meemaw then.”
My brow furrows at the mention of my grandmother. “Why?”
“To tell her she’s wrong. She said couples had to be married to have babies, but if you two weren’t married, then she’s wrong.” She shrugs innocently.
Jesus Christ.I need to listen in on their phone calls more often.
Ayden stares at me wide-eyed above the brim of his cup as if he’s glad to stay out of this conversation.
“Perhaps you and Daddy can talk about that tonight,” I tell her, shooting a mischievous grin in Ayden’s direction.
“Um...” He blinks at me.
I pat his shoulder. “Tappin’ you in,Daddy.”
It’s a gorgeous sunny day out as we walk downtown. Serena skips ahead of Ayden and me as our hands brush. Neither of us has mentioned the kiss from the other day or how hot and bothered he purposely makes me when he inches closer to kiss my forehead. After he put Serena to bed, he pulled me into a tight hug and thanked me for taking him to Howie’s grave. Then his breath lingered on my cheek as if he were fighting the urge. I was frozen in place, too scared to get rejected, so I just waited.
When he finally moved, I felt his mouth on top of my head as he exhaled and told me good night.
