Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,184

I know he was scared this moment would never happen, worried his children—Lexi—would not get to meet his dad. Evan confessed that before the “wedding” talk started, he was trying to work up the nerve to ask me to take this trip with him.

Lexi holds her arm out for me and I slip my finger into her tiny hand. “Who’s got you, Lex?” She babbles at me, telling me all about it. I keep talking to her, letting her hear my voice. Once Evan see’s she’s going to be okay with his dad, he takes the seat next to me on the couch. His arm goes around the back and he angles his body toward us, so he can talk to his father and take in the sight of him holding his little girl.

“She’s a beaut, Evan,” his dad comments.

“Yeah, she is. I told Kinley she’s not dating until she’s thirty,” he laughs.

“Oh hush, you,” his mom joins the conversation.

“Don’t be hogging all the loving, son,” Evan’s Grandpa Lexington chimes in. “I need to meet the angel who carries on the family name.”

Just as he says the words, Lexi lets out a shriek and leans into me. Instinctively, I grab her and pull her into my arms. Her chubby little hands grab at my face as she smiles and shrieks again. Evan rubs her back as he chuckles, and to anyone watching us, we look like the happily little family we’re about to be, but for how long?

Chapter 37

Evan

Tonight, has been…overwhelming. I never thought I would be an emotional sap seeing my parents with my daughter. When Mom held her, I got choked up, but when Dad held her, yeah, I had to bite my damn tongue to keep the tears at bay. Mom made dinner, and the rest of the night was spent passing Lex from one person to the next. That is up until about ten minutes ago when she decided she was done. I took her from Mom, who hasn’t stopped smiling since we pulled in the drive.

“I’ll make her a bottle,” Kinley offers and scurries off to the kitchen. I watch her go, because, well…she’s gorgeous.

“You’re smitten,” Mom calls me out.

You have no idea. “She’s been there from the beginning. I owe her everything.” I try to deter the conversation.

Dad laughs. “Evan, you look at her like I still look at your mother. You sure this is a good idea?” he says hesitantly.

Is this a good idea? Hell, if I know. Do I want to marry her? Yes, without question. Is it just to keep my daughter with me? No, it’s not. Can I confess that to them? I’ve always been close to them, but this… “No reservations,” I tell them.

“Does she know?” Mom asks.

I look at the door leading to the kitchen, watching for her. I don’t want her to hear this and make what we’re about to do awkward. “No.” I pretty much just lay it all out for them in that simple word. My parents are smart and can read between the lines. This is more for me.

I’m fucked!

They don’t get the chance to say more as Kinley walks back into the room. Lexi is snuggled up on my chest, eyes wide as she watches my parents. At the sound of Kinley’s voice, she lifts her head. “Here you go, baby girl.” Kinley hands the bottle to me.

I settle Lexi into the crook of my arm and she begins to eat. Her arm reaches out and Kinley doesn’t hesitate to offer her finger for Lexi to hold on to. Lexi goes back to eating, never letting go of Kinley. Her other hand is grabbing at my chin, so I offer her my finger as well. She locks on tight and settles. Kinley’s eyes find mine and she smiles my smile.

My girls.

Just as Lexi finishes her bottle, Kinley yawns, which causes me to yawn as well. It’s been a long-ass day, and I’m ready for bed. “I’m going to lay her down,” I say to Kinley.

“I’ll help you set up the pack-n-play.” She stands from the couch and I follow her upstairs. My grandparents’ house has four bedrooms, so Mom made up both rooms, one for me and Lexi and the other for Kinley. She pulled me off to the side earlier and said she wasn’t sure if we wanted to share a room, so she got the other ready just in case.

Kinley sets up the pack-n-play while I change Lexi’s diaper and get

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