Anyway, I told the saleslady I needed the basics aside from what I had in my bag. She set me up with more bottles, a bottle cleaner, bib, diaper rash cream, easy-access snappy-crotch baby long johns—or whatever they’re called—and a bunch of other stuff.
Man, was it expensive. After I threw in diapers, extra formula, and the travel crib, the shopping trip set me back six hundred bucks.
I’ve never spent that kind of money on anything. Except maybe a lawyer for Flip.
“Lucky girl. You got all the fancy stuff,” I say, making room for her baby gear in my closet.
Fia makes a warning whimper—almost like crying but without the commitment. I decide the best course of action is to head off the imminent hangry meltdown and make her a bottle.
I already texted Lara early, who says she can get off work early and come over, which is great since I need to get to the stadium ahead of time.
There’s a knock at the front door just as I’m sitting down to give Fia her bottle. Igor surfaces from his room, looking grumpy. “I veel get it.” He probably went for a long workout and was resting up before practice.
“Thanks, bro.”
A minute later, Nina’s cheery voice and pretty face are blessing my living room. “Hello, famous Hot Daddy Dean!” She’s wearing her team uniform—the shortest shorts I’ve ever seen and a skintight tank top.
Yes, there is a God. I can see the lines of every muscle in her arms, abs, and legs. She’s definitely a lean woman who works hard at running, which I respect.
“Hey, I was just about to give Fia her lunch. Or snack. Or whatever meal this is. She eats ten times a day.”
“We both know those protein shakes aren’t very filling.” Nina smiles, beaming at my pink little ball of baby cuteness.
“You want to feed her?” I ask.
“Oh, uh…sure! Let me wash my hands.”
Nina goes to the kitchen sink and returns, plopping down next to me on the sofa. I hand the baby over.
“Oh, you do look hungry.” Nina pops the bottle in Fia’s mouth, and damn me if I don’t start getting a little swoony. Not that guys like me swoon, but if we did, it would be over this hot runner chick holding my baby.
Whoa! I jump to my feet.
“Everything okay?” Nina asks.
“Um, yeah.” I point over my shoulder. “I, uh, I just remembered I was supposed to turn in some online forms for football. You know, injury waivers and that kind of stuff.”
“Go ahead. I can handle this.”
I go to my room, shut the door, and double over, panting. I just called Fia “my baby,” and I kinda meant it. Or felt it? Whatever. Point is, I said the words in my head without really thinking. That means something, right?
What the hell is wrong with me? I take a deep breath and try to slow my thoughts. Then I look down, glaring at the fly of my jeans. Have I grown a pussy? Because I’m feeling all maternal today. Next thing I know, I’ll be filling out compatibility surveys in Women’s Magazine or complaining about sore nipples.
I scrub my hands over my face. Get a grip, Norland. Get a grip. But I definitely started feeling an attraction to Nina just now. Seeing her holding my daugh—the baby—lit up my heart.
Several minutes later, I’m feeling calm and collected again when I hear the door followed by Lara’s voice.
She’s early.
I walk out to the living room and find Lara in tight-ass jeans and a white blouse. Her blonde hair is loose around her shoulders. She looks insanely hot. Well, from below the neck, anyway. Above the neck, she looks irritated—tight lips, furrowed brows, narrowed eyes zoomed in on Nina.
“Hey. You’re here,” I say.
“Yeah, Hector said I could go early. You haven’t called him yet, by the way, and you probably should. He’s going to be hurt when he finds out the entire planet knows about your baby sitch and he doesn’t.”
Crap. I did forget to call. I also haven’t called Flip yet. This isn’t like me to forget things or flake on responsibilities. I like my life orderly and under control.
“I’ll go see Hector as soon as I can,” I say.
“Good. So, you going to introduce us?” Lara asks with a bite to her tone, flicking a finger at Nina.
There’s no missing her eyes taking in Nina’s “swimsuit.” But that’s the uniform for track. What can I do?
I glance at Nina, who’s still sitting on the couch. Fia looks like she’s in seventh heaven, clasping the bottle with her fat little hands and sucking away.
“Lara, this is my neighbor from downstairs, Nina. Nina, this is my coworker from the Grape Ranch, Lara.”
The two women exchange smiles.
“So do you still need my help tonight?” Lara sounds pissed, and I’m guessing it’s because she took time off work to be here.