Only Him (Only One 1)

“Well...maybe. But who doesn’t love pumpkin spice!”

Tyler runs into the living room and giggles. We both look at him. “Mama funny.”

She picks him up, then tickles his tummy. “No, you’re funny.”

As Tyler’s laughter fills the living room, Liam returns. “There you are! Made you lunch, buddy.”

Liam takes him from Maddie’s arms, then carries him to the kitchen.

Once we’re alone, Maddie shoots me a death glare. “You’re not leaving this house until you tell me about Gemma.”

“What are you gonna do? Keep me hostage?”

“I just might, Tyler Blackwood. Plus, I birthed a tiny human, so the very least you can do is appease me while I suffer with raw nipples and explosive diapers!”

“Ahh, Mads!” I put my palms to my ears as she doubles over with laughter.

I can hear Liam chatting with Tyler about dinosaur chicken nuggets and wish I could trade places with him right now.

“See, don’t you feel sorry for me? Now, give me all the details.” She pouts, sticking out her lower lip, and even though it’s pathetic, it works.

“She’s engaged, Mads. Getting married in only a few months,” I explain. “There’s nothing I can do about that but sit back and watch it all happen.”

With a huff, she crosses her arms. “Wrong! You can steal her away and go live up on a hill in your little Southern town and have a handful of babies. Preferably girls so when our kids grow up, they can get married.”

I snort. “Trust me when I say my life isn’t and won’t ever be like one of your Hallmark movies.”

“It could be 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 the times 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 seenyou?”

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 because I would 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.