He laughs and continues with his workout. “Just getting some exercise in. Just because I’m a dad now doesn’t mean I need to have a dad bod.”

   I get myself some coffee, and sit down on the couch, pretending to be watching the news, but I’m watching him instead.

   He says something, but I miss it because I’m too busy perving to listen. “What?”

   “I’m going to go for a quick jog around the block,” he repeats.

   “Like that? With no shirt on?” I ask, eyes narrowing.

   So my whole neighborhood gets to see him like that? Even that woman across the road who likes to check out all the younger guys?

   “Yeah, why?” he asks, frowning. “It’s warm out. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

   “Okay,” I reply, gritting my teeth.

   Well, here’s an emotion I haven’t felt in a while: jealousy.

   “Have fun, you big show-off,” I mutter to myself as he leaves. “I could go outside and be all sexy too.”

   Maybe in a few weeks, when I’m not so exhausted. I don’t know how he has the energy for it.

   Quinn wakes up and starts screaming blue murder, so I get a bottle ready and give her what she wants. “Good morning to the most special girl in the world. Where’s your daddy, you wonder? Well, he’s out showing off his ripped body to all the women in the neighborhood.”

   Quinn opens her eyes wider.

   “That was my reaction too, my girl.”

* * *

   Heidi comes over to spend time with her niece. “She is one beautiful kid,” she says, rocking Quinn gently. “And you get to keep your sexy figure. It’s a win-win, Bronte.”

   I laugh at that. “Only you would even think of that, Heidi.”

   She grins and lifts her head up, looking at me. “So I got a job at Kamikaze. I know I just finished my associate degree, but I also know Crow wants me to get a job. I appreciate you and him letting me take time to go to school. I’m working a few days a week now as a bookkeeper.”

   “That’s awesome news,” I say, smiling. Crow had a serious discussion with her and she reacted better than I thought she would, which means I didn’t give her enough credit. She asked if she could go to school to figure out what she is good at and Crow was thrilled. “How do you feel about working like the rest of us?”

   “It sucks,” she admits, pursing her lips. “But the people there are really cool, and I can’t just live off Crow forever. He has his own family now, and I need to be a little more independent.” She pauses and adds, “Just a little, not completely.”

   I laugh again. “Well, little steps, so, well done. You should be proud.”

   “I am.” She beams. “And while I do work in the back, being in the club environment is fun. The bartenders even let me play around behind the bar before we open, and I even made up my own cocktail. Now they’re going to sell it at the bar, which is pretty sweet.”

   “That is impressive,” I say. “I’ll have to try it next time I go there.”

   “You should. I called it Too Pretty to Work But Still Here Anyway.”

   My jaw drops. “You didn’t?”

   She nods.

   This time I can’t stop laughing. Heidi is a riot. She’s spoiled, sure, but she’s sweet, and now that I have my own daughter, I know exactly where Crow was coming from. Because I just want to give Quinn everything and never see her struggle a day in her life.

   “You’re hilarious. Maybe that’s your calling. Creating new cocktails with names that make people laugh when they order them.”

   “A girl can dream.”

   “Do you want to have kids?” I ask, watching her with Quinn.

   “One day, sure,” she replies, smiling widely. “But I think I have a long way to go before I can be responsible to care for a baby. I can barely look after myself right now.”

   “I’m sure with babysitting Quinn, you’ll be a pro in no time,” I tease.

   Crow walks in and stops when he sees us all. “My three favorite girls all in one room. How did I get so lucky?”

   Damn, the man is charming.

   He comes and sits down, stealing Quinn from his sister. “I heard you had your first day at Kamikaze.”

   “Yep.” Heidi beams.

   “And she already created her own drink for the menu,” I add, pride in my tone.

   Crow looks impressed. “Good on you, Heidi.”

   “Wait, let her tell you what it’s called.”

   She tells him, and then it’s his turn to lose it laughing.

Chapter Twenty-Five

   “What a beautiful baby you have,” a girl at the grocery store says to me. She must be in her early twenties, and has beautiful long blond hair. “She is so cute.”

   “Thank you,” I say, smiling. “She’s a week old today.”

   “What’s her name?” she asks, unable to take her eyes away.

   “Quinn.”

   “Love that name.” She beams. “Well, you both have a good day.”

   “You too,” I reply, waving.

   I carry on with my shopping, when Crow calls. “Hey.”

   “Hey, babe. Where are you?” he asks.

   “At the store,” I reply. “Why?”

   “I’m leaving the clubhouse now and was going to ask if you want anything.”

   “I’m good. I’ll meet you home in twenty.”

   “Okay,” he replies, and we both hang up.

   Today is the first day he left our apartment to go back to the clubhouse, aside from dropping in to get his clothes, and it feels so weird being out and about without him, just with Quinn. I get the last few things I need, check out and head back home.

   Quinn starts crying in the back and I feel helpless, knowing I can’t even comfort her or feed her while I’m driving, so I pull over into a fast food parking lot. Feeling overwhelmed, I take a breath, feed her and then put her back in her car seat and drive home.

   I don’t know how single mothers do it, because this whole parenting gig isn’t easy.

   Crow is already there when I get there, and he comes out and carries the groceries in. I’m glad that he’s back, I’m not going to lie. It’s so much easier having that extra helping hand and someone you can rely on. It can be stressful knowing that all the responsibility is on you and only you. I much prefer it when he’s here with me.