Needing You Close (Ex-Con Duet 2)

His eyes pop open, and Liam swoops him up in his arms. Tobias doesn’t wake as Maddie watches him in awe. Tyler places his head on his daddy’s shoulder, and Maddie grabs the baby monitor. Quietly, she moves past us, and we follow her into the living room.

“I missed you all so much,” I say as I sit on the couch.

“Well, it’s not too late to move back and live with us,” Maddie flashes a knowing grin.

I look at her incredulously, and Liam chuckles, then goes to the kitchen.

Maddie shrugs. “Well, it doesn’t hurt to try. How long are you staying?” She glances over at my small bag on the floor.

“I fly out tomorrow afternoon. Have to be back at work Wednesday morning.”

She lifts an eyebrow. “How’s Gemma?”

I scoff, shaking my head. “You’re relentless.”

“What do you expect? You tease me about this mystery woman, and then when I ask, you don’t give me any details, only crumbs of information. You’re like a vault and should be glad I don’t live closer.”

“Oh, I am. There’s no doubt you’d infiltrate her group of friends just to learn all the Gemma gossip.”

“I’m still waiting for you to give me your sister’s phone number. We’d be besties, I’m sure of it. Then she’d tell me all I need to know.”

“You probably would. Maybe I should give you her number. You might like her so much that you’d consider moving to Alabama. You’d love Lawton Ridge. Everyone knows everyone. Plus, you’d go crazy in Everleigh’s boutique.”

“I’m following her Facebook page,” she admits.

My eyes go wide. “Really?”

“Oh yeah. When I googled her name, it popped up. I’ve already bought like five fall T-shirts online. And a coffee mug. And a candle. And a few bracelets. I’m kinda addicted.” She snorts, then lowers her voice. “I’m a lot addicted. Don’t tell Liam.”

“Damn. Didn’t realize you were so basic,” I mock, knowing damn well she’s the poster child.

She throws a pillow at me. “Basic?”

“Bet you’re counting down the days for pumpkin spice season,” I say, tossing it back at her. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“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 dies 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 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 when 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.”