Can't Fight It - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,64

a single dad and working a nine-to-five. Now, don’t get me wrong, he’s amazing with Milo, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a hard adjustment for him.”

“I couldn’t imagine,” I tell her, knowing he had a tough transition. I am so thankful he had his family to help him. It makes my own chest fill with longing for my own family. My dad passed away when I was a young girl, and my mom moved to Florida a few years back. She works for the Hilton Hotels and Resorts and was offered a job overseeing a region in sunny Florida. It was a great opportunity for her, and you can’t beat the weather.

“My point is, he’s different recently. He smiles more and seems to be eager to leave the gym and head home. I think it has a lot to do with you,” she says, that knowing look in her eyes.

I’m saved from having to reply just yet when Milo decides he’s had enough sitting. He hollers his displeasure and brings on the waterworks.

“Oh, Milo,” Gabby sings, glancing over at me. “Do you mind?”

“Of course not. He’s your nephew. I’m just the sitter,” I tell her, swallowing over the thickness in my throat. Just saying that, making light of what Colt and I share as if I’m nothing more than someone who watches the baby, doesn’t sit well with me, because we’ve become so much more than that.

At least it feels like we have.

“Come to Auntie Gabs,” she coos, picking up the squirmy baby. Milo gazes up at her, but the tears continue to fall. He rubs his eyes, letting us know he’s getting sleepy again. She takes him over to the changing table, grabbing a diaper on her way, and sets out to change his pants. I grab a bottle of water and the formula from the bag and mix up his next meal.

When she heads my way, Milo is still not happy, even with clean britches. She heads over to the rocking chair and takes a seat. I hand her the bottle right away, which she places in his mouth. He drinks for a few seconds, but then spits it out and cries. Gabby rocks gently, trying to get Milo to settle down, but he’s just not having it.

I’m on the other side of the room, trying to keep quiet so he can fall asleep, but the whole time, my heart is screaming at me to go to him. To hold him. To comfort him.

“He’s not a happy little boy,” she says, her eyes holding just the slightest hint of worry.

“No, those teeth are really bothering him,” I say.

The moment Milo hears my voice, he turns and looks for me. He’s fussing more, his hands reaching out blindly. He’s reaching… for me. Gabby seems to realize it at the same time I do and offers me a smile. She carefully sits up, holding Milo to her chest as she does, and meets me in the middle of the room. He turns, his hands extended for me. The moment he’s against my chest, he snuggles in, his cheek resting just over my heart.

“Awww, he just wanted you,” she whispers as I rub his back.

“We uh, we snuggle a lot at home.”

Gabby smiles. “I think that’s great,” she adds, popping his pacifier in his mouth and rubbing his arm.

The silence extends for several long minutes as Milo’s eyes finally start to droop. I bounce lightly, swaying back and forth as he drifts off to sleep. Ignoring the burn in my arms, I hold him against my chest and hum a song. I can’t sing the way his dad can, but I can at least hum a little tune to give him a sense of normalcy.

“Look at you. He’s out,” she says.

“He’s had a long day,” I tell her, my heart soaring with happiness as I hold him in my arms.

“He’s not the only one.” Her observation strikes a little too close to home as I gaze down at the wonder in my arms.

“It was a long night, but Colton was able to catch a catnap today. Tonight should be better,” I whisper.

I can feel her eyes on me. “That’s not exactly what I meant.”

My heart pounds fast and furious in my chest.

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but I can tell something is bothering you. You don’t have to tell me, but if you ever need a friend, I’m here. I’m sure it’s not easy moving to a new town