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Alyssa chuckled, covering her mouth. “That’s Brooke’s way of giving you kisses. She learned it this week.”

“I can tell,” he said, wiping his nose. Brooke did it again, this time holding the sides of his face with her little hands. “Who taught her how to give kisses like that, though?”

Trying to stifle a laugh, it came out as a snort instead. “She must’ve missed you if she did it again.” Alyssa couldn’t stop laughing at the sight of Brooke trying unsuccessfully to kiss John.

“You think this is funny?” Alyssa nodded. “Could you imagine if people went around kissing like this?” John asked.

“No! That would be too weird.”

“I agree … You gotta teach her the right way, honey. Like at least how to kiss cheeks and not noses. Her drool could’ve gone up my nose,” he chuckled.

Looking at Alyssa, John tilted his head and then walked over to her, stepping over toys on his way. “You okay?”

Alyssa flattened her lips and nodded.

“Are you sick? You look pale.”

She shook her head. “I’m good, just exhausted.”

“Alright … But if everything is good, why are you chewing on your lip?”

She stopped immediately. “Just surprised to see you. Hungry? I was getting ready to cook dinner.”

Rubbing Brooke’s back, he drew out, “I can always eat …”

“Good!” She perked up and busied herself in the kitchen. She needed to take her mind off of the envelope that could potentially ruin everything. Hands trembling, Alyssa pulled out steak fries from the freezer.

The results were back much faster than she anticipated. She thought she would be able to rip them open, but the truth was, she couldn’t. It was a hard reality. One she wasn’t ready to face. The results would undoubtedly change everything.

And in the end, one would hurt, the other wouldn’t.

“Need help with anything?”

“Nope! I’m good! Just watch Brooke for me please.”

Sitting on the couch with Brooke in his lap, she went straight for his dog tags like she usually did. At four months old, her curls had gotten a little longer and her aqua colored eyes had gotten more vibrant if that was possible. She played with the tags in her hand, turning them over and inspecting them before shoving them into her mouth like she did with most things she got her hands on these days. John laughed. Each day his little cupcake got prettier and prettier, just like her mother. Speaking of her mother, John looked at Alyssa while she cooked. Worry was written all over her gorgeous face.

“What’s your mama up to?” he asked Brooke. “You givin’ her trouble today, missy?”

Bright eyes stared back at him as Brooke continued to chew on his tags. Bringing her in close, John hugged his cupcake and then stood.

Walking to the kitchen, he leaned against the doorframe and watched Alyssa. Mail was strewn across the counter, a few empty bottles and her purse. Nothing seemed wrong until the red writing caught his eye when he glanced around again.

Mail …

John’s heart nearly skipped a beat. Trying not to make it obvious, he stood tall and tried reading the front of the envelope discreetly. Had she gotten the results back and not told him? No, she wouldn’t do that … Would she? Did she know the truth of Brooke’s paternity? John had been so busy with training and conditioning that he was too worn out to think of the test at night once his brain stopped running.

Flipping the burgers, Alyssa turned to grab the cheese from the fridge and almost jumped out of her skin.

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” she yelled, clutching her chest. “You scared the crap out of me standing there like that so quiet. How long were you there?”

Once her heart stopped skipping beats, Alyssa got a full view of John. Standing tall and large in her kitchen holding a baby, she gulped. There were no other words to describe him in that moment except. Hot. As. Fuck. Her lips parted as her gaze traveled the length of his body, over his muscled thighs, his narrow waist, to his solid chest that filled out his tight white t-shirt. Alyssa had gotten a glance of his body months ago. Goose bumps broke out across her skin thinking of John holding her in his bed … the way she felt, secure and loved in his arms. She hadn’t experienced that in a long time and she suddenly missed it. What was it about guys and babies that caused her to stir with desire?

Alyssa could only imagine what his chest looked like now, probably much larger judging by the size of his biceps. Brooke was pretty chunky, but in John’s arms she looked so small and petite. Alyssa had kept her distance for the most part and not ogled John, but holy hot damn how had she missed his body?

“Alyssa?” Her eyes flashed to his and John grinned. “Checking me out?”

John stepped into the kitchen, reached behind her and turned off the stove. “Burgers are done.” She followed his movements, speechless. “I just caught you checking me out.”