of days.”
“How was the rest of the wedding?”
“Lovely. The dinner was fantastic. Holly and Rex had the best time, and everyone appreciated the updates. The crowd cleared out about midnight. I got a little sleep, but I was mostly waiting to hear that he’d been born.”
“Thanks for that.”
“I didn’t do it for you. I care about Joylyn. She’s going to be a great mother.”
He knew Wynn meant what she said—that Joylyn was important to her. Because she was someone who cared about other people.
The coffee finished brewing. Wynn poured them each a cup, then urged him to sit at the table.
“Are you hungry? Or do you want to just get some sleep? I know you were up all night.”
“I’m not hungry,” he said, although he thought he would be later. Right now he wanted to understand everything that had happened. There was a feeling inside him—one he couldn’t name—but it was big and getting bigger.
“She wants to stay here for Christmas,” he told Wynn. “Chandler told me. The three of them are going to be with me through Christmas Day.”
Wynn reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “I know you’ll like that.”
“I will. Can we do something together? Have a big dinner or something? Or am I asking too much?” He frowned. “Do you already have plans?”
She smiled. “I’d like us to spend Christmas together. I was going to make a turkey anyway and share the meal with a few friends. It’s Christmas—the more people at the table, the happier I am. Especially if you’ll be there.”
He stared at Wynn. She was so beautiful, he thought. But more than that. She was strong and kind and sexy and giving. She was a good mom. A great one. He thought about what she’d said about wanting more kids. He thought about how Joylyn had stared at him, telling him she needed him to be there while she had her son. He thought about the responsibility and joy and how being his daughter’s father was the best gig ever.
“We should have kids together,” he said abruptly.
Wynn stared at him, her eyes wide. “What did you say?”
“We should have kids together. You and me. I want to give that to you, Wynn. It’s what you said you wanted, and I can make it happen. You’re a great mom—look at what you’ve done with Hunter. I’m a decent father, but I can do better. You want more children. You told me, Wynn. I’d like that, too. With you.” He reached for her hands and squeezed them. “Let’s do it. Let’s have a couple of kids together.”
She pulled back. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I don’t know exactly, either. But we can make it work.” He motioned to his house. “We already live next door to each other—that’s convenient. We can have a couple of babies and raise them together. Fifty-fifty. You know, co-parent or something. I know you want this, and now I want it, too.”
Her expression was unreadable. He had no idea what she was thinking, but she didn’t look happy.
“You want to have children with me,” she said slowly. “So we would share parenting responsibility, but we won’t be involved. We wouldn’t be in love or get married or anything. Is that right?”
When she said it like that... “You’re making it sound bad,” he complained. “Don’t be like that. You said you wanted more children. I’m suggesting a way to make that happen. We’re a terrific team. We trust each other—that’s a big thing. We both want a bigger family and now we can have that.”
“Co-parenting?”
“Yes.”
“Because we live next door?”
“Not just because of that. You’re taking it wrong. I thought you’d be happy. That this solved all the problems. We’re good together and...”
There were more reasons, but suddenly he couldn’t think of any—not with her looking at him like he’d just kicked a kitten. Why was she making him the bad guy?
“No,” she said, coming to her feet. “Just no. I could never do that with anyone. It’s not what I want, and I can’t believe you suggested it. How could you?”
With that, she turned and ran out of the kitchen, leaving him alone with a feeling that he’d just screwed up in more ways than he could understand.
Chapter Twenty
AFTER GARRICK LEFT, Wynn stood in her living room, not sure what to do or how to feel. Hurt and disappointment tightened her chest until it was difficult to breathe.
She pressed a hand to her stomach and told herself she was fine.