Page 121 of Better Daddy

“Stop staring at me,” she grumbles without looking up. While I stare at her, she stares at the adorable seven-pound, eight-ounce bundle in her arms. I know her precise weight because we’ve been to the pediatrician every other day this week to weigh her since her reflux has made it difficult for her to gain weight.

“Impossible.” I drop a kiss to her forehead and head for the door so I can stop by the bathroom to fix my tie in front of the mirror. “I’ll take Tia down to the office before court so you can shower.”

I’ve got a hearing I can’t avoid, and Sloane swears she doesn’t need me staring at the two of them all day. She insists she’ll be fine, and if she’s not, she’s got the walkie-talkie, so she can contact the rest of the crew in the office.

In the living room, Lo and Brian are drinking coffee. Cal has already left to take the boys to school.

“Make sure you have those walkie-talkies on,” I remind them.

With a sigh, Brian pulls one from his pocket and waves it in my direction.

“Test it out,” I tell him.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he grumbles. “You sound like Cal.”

“Oh, sorry for being a caring father who wants to make sure his wife and baby have help should they need it.”

Lo flattens her lips, trying not to laugh at me.

I motion to her. “You too. Where’s yours?”

“Right here.” She swipes it off the counter. “They’re all set to the loudest setting, per your request, and I’ll keep mine on the charger at my desk so there’s no risk of it dying.”

I nod. That’s good. Very good. But…

Shit. “I should just stay here. Cal can handle it.” I drop my tie onto the couch.

“No.” This comes from the open door to the bedroom.

Sloane.

In her robe, with the sash cinched tight, no baby in sight, she glares at me. “I’m fine. I love you and I love how overprotective and caring you are, but…” She gives me a smile like she knows I won’t like what she says next, so she’s softening me up. “You’re smothering me.”

I walk toward her. With her dark hair messy, her eyes still a little swollen from lack of sleep, and her face flushed with annoyance, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

Settling my hands on her hips, I murmur, “I just love you so much.”

Smiling, she presses a kiss to my jaw. “I love you too, baby, but you have to work.”

I frown. She’s not exactly wrong, Cal could never handle this divorce.

It’s the two women who were insistent that they should cheat with the same person. Apparently, they found a willing participant.

Cal would find that way too fascinating, and though the basis isn’t a lie, it’s not exactly playing fully with the truth either.

“Oh, and don’t forget you’re meeting with Jess today,” Sloane tilts to one side, eyeing Brian.

Lo claps. “Yes. This is going to be brilliant.”

Her excitement throws me for a loop. Lo is typically all business. No-nonsense. She must really like her yoga instructor.

I swipe my tie from the couch and leave them to talk about the case while I head to the bathroom to finish getting ready. Then, while Sloane takes a shower, I take Tia down to the office so I can look over the divorce file before court. I don’t even make it through one email before a familiar warmth coats my shoulder.

“Ah, my little love. Is your belly bothering you again?” I pat her back and grab one of the handful of burp cloths I brought with me. I dab at her mouth first, adjusting her so she’s not resting in spit-up, then head toward the stairway so I can change.

Before I can make my way up, Madame E appears out of nowhere, and I go rigid. The woman still creeps me out, even if she’s helped me a time or two.

“Things are about to get messy,” she singsongs, her bracelets jangling along like a warning.