Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,39

into place. There’s a table-type piece that fits on the top.

“That’s so you can change him. Say you’re at the office. You don’t have to lay him on the floor, or your desk, and you won’t have to lean over the side. That would be awkward,” Reagan explains.

“That’s so handy. At least, I think it will be.”

“Yep, it’ll be perfect for poker night with the guys. You’ll know he has a safe place to play and sleep.”

“I doubt there will be many poker nights in my future.”

“Why the hell not?”

“I have a baby, Reagan.”

“And? You’re a dad, Ridge, but you’re still you. You need to have a life too.”

“He’s my life.”

“I get that, I do, but you have to live for you too. You have to find the balance. There’s nothing wrong with poker night. You just take him with you, and bring this—” she points to the Pack ‘n Play “—pack a diaper bag and you’re all set. You know the guys are going to be onboard with it.”

“Yeah, it’s just going to take some time for me to get a routine. To feel comfortable taking him out like that on my own.”

“You have the guys,” she fires back.

I stare at her. “Really, Reagan? How many times have you seen them around babies?”

“Kent has a niece, and Mark’s sister is pregnant with twins,” she reminds me.

“I guess.”

“Listen, I know you need time to adjust, but don’t lose you in the process.”

“It’s different now, you know?”

“I get that, brother, I do. You have to find a balance. You can be his father and still have a life. One day, you’ll find a woman who will love both of you. How are you going to do that if you stay closed up? You’re a kick-ass dad, Ridge. Just look at all this.” She waves her hand around the room. “You will stop at nothing to give him what he needs. Just remember you have needs too.”

I smirk at her and she tosses a pillow at my head.

“You good here?” she asks.

“Yeah, the guys are stopping by later, bringing dinner. You can stay or come back, whatever.”

“I think I’m going to go home and catch up on laundry. Stop by the shop and pay a few bills then curl up with my Kindle and finish my book. You boys have fun.”

I stand and give her a hug. “Love you, sister,” I say, as I kiss the top of her head.

“Yeah, yeah.” She grins. “See you later.”

“Later.”

The house is quiet except for the soft hum of the bouncer seat that has kept my son in a deep slumber. I grab a few pillows off the couch and lie on the floor beside it. “Sleep when he does” Mom has said more times than I can count. I place my hand on his little leg and allow myself to drift off to sleep.

Chapter 14

My phone rings, jolting me awake. Squinting to look at the clock, I see that it’s only eight in the morning. It’s Saturday, my day off, and I wanted to sleep in.

So much for that plan.

Reaching for the phone, I swipe at the screen and pull it to my ear. “Hello,” I mumble.

“Morning, sweetheart,” my dad’s chipper voice greets me.

“Hey, Dad, everything okay?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t it be?” he asks.

“It’s early, on Saturday. My day off. I was sleeping,” I grumble into the phone.

Dad chuckles. “You’re wasting a beautiful day, Kendall. I do have a favor to ask you, though.”

“Okay?”

“Well, Grandma and Grandpa are having the house remodeled. They leave for Florida tomorrow house-hunting, and they forgot that your mother and I will be on our cruise to Mexico. Can you check in with the builders? They know what needs to be done, but if they have any questions or run into any snags, can you handle it?”

Me? “Dad, I hate to break it to you, but I know nothing about construction.”

He laughs. “I know, sweetheart, and you don’t need to. The company is reputable, and they know what’s expected. We really just need you to check in with them. If they have questions, you can relay them to Grandpa.”

Ugh. “Sure, no problem. How often do I need to check?”

“Every few days. Your mom and I will be gone for two weeks, as you know, so it’s just until we get back.”

“You’re lucky I love you.” I can’t help but smile.

“I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

“I’ll be thinking.” I already know what that means, though. He takes care of the