Rockstar Baby (Crescent Cove 6)

I smiled and nodded to them.

Zoe laughed. “I’ll be right back. It’s easier to just let him show me whatever he’s got to show me than to say no.”

I watched them go, trying to hold down the wistfulness that was trying to grow inside my chest. “He’s a bundle of energy.”

Rory rolled his eyes. “He’s like this all the time. It’s a wonder we ever get work done when we’re in the studio. He’s like a butterfly on speed.”

I laughed. “He’s fairly adorable.”

“You would think so.”

“Oh?” I bumped his shoulder. “And why’s that?”

Rory shrugged. “Everyone does. Why he has legions of women panting after him. And yet he only has eyes for his fair Zoe.”

“As it should be.”

He met my gaze. “For some.”

I wasn’t sure what to do with that little comment, but before I could come up with a reply, Kellan called for him to come onto the stage.

He dropped a quick kiss on my mouth and jogged off to oblige him.

“Have you ever seen him play?”

I turned toward the voice behind me. Maggie was swaying with Wolf in her arms. “I didn’t even know he could until today.”

“That one plays it close to the vest in all things.” Wolf tugged on her hair and she patiently unwound his chubby little fingers without missing a beat. “He and Kellan have been working together for a bit. I’ve never seen someone with such innate talent who doesn’t want to be on stage.”

A different sort of wistfulness took root inside me. I wanted to know more about Rory. Especially about the parts of him he squirreled away. “No?”

“Rory? He definitely isn’t interested.”

“Hey guys, we can sit over here. My ankles are balloons.”

We both turned toward Zoe’s voice. Hayes was beside her, setting up chairs. He lifted a small cooler and set it on the table. “Gotta keep you ladies hydrated.”

Zoe rolled her eyes. “I’ll be glad when I’m not pregnant anymore and you start treating me like your sister again.”

Hayes pushed up his dark rimmed glasses. “I am treating you like my sister.”

“No, you’re being nice to me.”

“Well, you have my innocent nephew in there. Have to make sure he knows I’m the very best uncle.”

“Ah, now that makes more sense.” She grinned up at him, then dragged him down by the tail of his shirt to give him a hug. “Lemonade?”

“Maybe.”

“Yes.” She flipped open the cooler, then wiggled her fingers. “You ladies are in luck. This is the best lemonade in the state.”

I sat down and peeked over the edge. “I’ll take some of that.” It felt like I could drink a damn lake. I was parched.

Maggie laughed. “I don’t know. My mom’s recipe is pretty amazing.”

“Oh, let me get the stroller.” Hayes jogged to the doorway and returned with the huge stroller laden with everything a little boy could want.

“Thanks.” Maggie set Wolf inside and handed him his little cup with two handles.