I say my life isn’t and won’t ever be like one of your Hallmark movies.”
“It could if you weren’t so stubborn. Have you met her fiancé yet?”
I nod. “Unfortunately.”
“And how does she act around him? Are they all lovey-dovey with gross PDA, or does she act like she can’t stand the sight of him?”
Maddie’s not going easy on me, but I know avoiding her questions isn’t an option either. “She acts…awkward. I don’t know how to explain it. Uncomfortable might be a better way to describe it.”
She contemplates my words. “Regularly?”
I think back to when I’ve seen Gemma around Robert and nod. “Yeah.”
Maddie taps her pointer finger on her lips. “I need your sister’s number now. Gonna get this shit figured out.”
“Detective Maddie to the rescue.” I roll my eyes. “Gemma’s too committed at this point to break it off. Even if she doesn’t love him—which is the conclusion Everleigh and I have drawn—Gemma’s very loyal.”
“Just like you,” she retorts. “When Sophie dated that psycho, she acted weird too. We’d invite her places, and she’d come up with excuses for why she couldn’t. When we did hang out, I could tell my sister was in love with the idea of getting married, but that’s about it. Maybe it’s kinda the same thing.”
“It could be. Apparently, he’s jealous of me.”
She lets out a hearty laugh. “Of course, he is. Have you seen you?”
Before Maddie can say anything else, tiny cries come from the baby monitor. “Feeding time.” She gets up. “I’ll be right back.”
I’m grateful to have some silence to think about how Gemma acts around Robert. She promised she’d tell me if something wasn’t right. I just hope she stays true to her word. Liam explained what happened to Sophie and the guy she was engaged to, and how it ended tragically. I refuse to allow that to happen to Gemma. I’d go back to prison if Robert threatened her life, and I had to stop him. Even if I can’t admit it to her, she means too much to me.
Liam returns with Tyler beside him. He’s more awake and talking a lot more. When he walks up to me, he has a fire truck in his hand. “Look!”
“Wow, that’s cool,” I say as he hands it over to me.
“People.” He points his little finger at the window, then shoves it in my face so I can see them inside.
“Oh wow. There are!”
Tyler giggles, and I can tell he’ll be just as outgoing as Maddie when he’s older. “I have more.” He runs off, and I can hear his feet pounding against the carpet.
“You’ve opened a can of worms now,” Liam warns me, sitting down next to me. “So how long are you here for?”
“Only a day. My flight leaves tomorrow afternoon.”
“Not long enough, but I’m so glad you’re here, man. I’ve missed you,” he admits.
“Yeah, me too. Missed kicking your ass in the gym, too,” I taunt, which causes him to snort.
“You wish! But I’m glad I re-joined. Just going before work three times a week has helped me gain some muscle. Need to lose this baby weight.” He chuckles, patting his six-pack.
“Proud of you,” I say, just as Maddie walks in holding Tobias.
“You wanna hold him?” she asks, stepping closer.
I can’t remember the last time I held a baby. Maddie doesn’t really give me a choice before she’s putting him in my arms. I cradle him as he stirs lightly and can’t help smiling at the little guy. He has his entire life ahead of him, and I put a little wish up in the universe that the world is kinder to him than it was to me. With parents like his, though, I have no doubt he’ll get the love and support he needs to thrive in life.
I watch Tobias with a grin, and when I look up, Maddie and Liam are smiling at us.
“Yep, now it’s your turn to have a few mini-yous,” she declares. “Make me an auntie.”
“Don’t get any ideas, Mads. It takes two people to make babies,” I softly say. “Not to mention, it helps if you’re dating or married to someone.”
“Don’t tell her that. She’ll be setting you up on blind dates in Lawton Ridge. The power of the internet,” Liam says.
“Now that’s an idea!” Maddie beams. “Need to get you on a dating app, STAT.”
I roll my eyes, trying to ignore her, but it’s so damn hard when she’s steadily talking shit.