“I got the job!” she shrieks.
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” She finds Hazel, who has moved on to the pretend kitchen. “Can I go play with her?”
“Of course.” When she walks away, Lexi eyes me. “What?”
“A model? I give her a month before she’s back to snorting blow.”
“What?” I gasp, whipping my head around. “Lexi!”
She shrugs. “Everyone knows most of the models in LA do drugs.”
“Don’t stereotype. It’s rude.”
“Whatever.”
We spend the next couple hours at A Cup of Fun. The entire time I watch Victoria closely, Lexi’s comment stuck in my head, but aside from her outfit being different, she’s the same woman she’s been the last couple weeks. She plays with Hazel with kindness and patience. We make small talk and, when the girls are wiped out and ready for their afternoon naps, head out, agreeing to discuss when to meet up next. With her new job, she has to see what her schedule will be like.
While Hazel naps, I do something I haven’t done in a while—cook for the guys. After she wakes up, we drive over to the station to surprise Chase. The guys are all outside, sans shirts, washing down the trucks. They’re all built and toned, and with the music blaring, they look like they’re in the middle of a music video.
My eyes home in on Chase, who’s glistening with sweat and water, and my lady parts tingle in anticipation. Since my period showed up a few days ago, we haven’t had sex, but it’s over now, and I’m most definitely going to be jumping him the first minute we’re alone.
“Dada!” Hazel yells, getting his attention. His face lights up, and he drops the rag he was holding into the bucket and bends at his knees, scooping her up into his arms. It’s the most beautiful sight, and I quickly snap a picture of them before grabbing the food in the containers and walking over.
“This is a surprise,” he says, leaning over and kissing me.
“We brought food.” I lift the containers and the guys all cheer.
“You’re amazing,” he murmurs into my ear, kissing the sensitive spot just underneath. Chills shoot through my body, making me visibly tremble. Chase notices and chuckles.
“I think we need a date night soon,” he says, waggling his brows.
“Maybe Lexi and Alec can keep Hazel for a sleepover.”
His eyes darken with lust. “Hell yes.”
I giggle, shaking my head. “Watch your language.”
We eat dinner with the guys, all of them fawning over Hazel the entire time, and then head to the backyard so she can play on the swing set for a little while.
“How was your day?” Chase asks.
“Good. Met Lexi and Victoria at A Cup of Fun.” Knowing he hates to talk about Victoria, I don’t get into the specifics.
He nods. “She doing okay?”
I’m assuming he’s referring to Victoria. “Yeah.”
He nods again, then walks over to Hazel to catch her coming down the slide. While he plays with her, I shoot Lexi a text, asking if she can keep Hazel tomorrow night, promising to keep Abigail one night. She texts back she’d love to and to bring Hazel over any time in the afternoon.
While I watch Chase and Hazel run around the yard, laughing and playing, I think about what it would be like to have another little one running around. Lexi and I were close growing up. We’re close with Max too, but because he’s several years younger, it’s a little different. While Hazel has Abigail and they’re close in age, I would love for her to have her own brother or sister that she’s close in age with. I’m scared of losing another baby, but the one thing Chase has taught me is not to live in fear.
“What’s going through your head?” Chase asks, startling me. I didn’t realize he and Hazel were standing in front of me.
“I want to try again.”
His eyes go wide, then his gaze drops down to my belly. “Really?”
“Do you?” He said it was up to me, but he lost a baby too.
“I would love to, as long as you’re good with it.”
“I am.” I kiss him. “And I think we should start tomorrow night.”
Victoria: Can I see Hazel?
I stare at my phone. We agreed once a week, and she just saw her yesterday. I glance at the time. Chase is due home soon.
Me: I can’t today. Sorry.
Victoria: Tomorrow?
Me: We agreed once a week… You saw her yesterday.
Victoria: I’m sorry. I have to work next Tuesday. I was hoping to see her before then.
I sigh, hating the position she’s putting me in. Just as I’m about to respond, Chase texts me.
Chase: Running late. I’ll be home around five with dinner.
Me: Okay, I’ll drop Hazel off with Lexi and meet you at home.
Chase: Sounds perfect.
I switch back to my chat with Victoria. The bubbles show she’s typing and a second later a text comes through.