Page 121 of Pretend You Love Me

He shrugs. “It has dairy in it.”

Ethan spots me and walks over. He’s still wearing Micah strapped to his chest, who is sound asleep. I look down at him. “Can you imagine being able to sleep through all this noise?”

“But somehow not be able to sleep during the night?” he responds with a smile.

I laugh. “Sorry, man. That sounds rough.”

“Well, it's not as bad for me as Zadie. I can’t feed him, so there’s only so much I can do at night to help her.”

I nod considering this. I don’t know much about babies. “Have you seen Will?”

Ethan nods toward the next room. “He’s putting the gingerbread houses up.”

“Thanks.” As I’m leaving the room, I notice that Brooklyn has spotted me. She’s munching on another cookie and glaring at me the entire time I walk out of the room.

“Woah.” I look around the dining room table as Will sets out a gingerbread house. Well, house isn’t the right word. None of these are actually houses. They are highly-detailed buildings and elaborate holiday scenes.

“Did you guys make these?” I’m leaning in to look at aScooby Doothemed gingerbread house or rather van. The detail is incredible.

“We do a competition every year. It’s pretty serious.” He places a gingerbread elf in front of a North Pole scene.

“I can see that.”

His baby is in a little basket thing right at his feet. She starts fussing.

“Oh, shoot.” Will’s hands are covered in sugar and icing. “Do you think you could grab her?”

Me? I’ve never held a baby this small.

I look at him like he’s asking me to walk in front of a bullet for him.

“She’s not very heavy. I think you’re strong enough,” he smirks.

“Okay.” I lean down and slide my hands under her. She’s angry-crying now - her face bright red.

“Just make sure to support her neck,” he says.

I’m not a complete idiot. I knew that much.

I cup my hand around her neck and lift her up. It feels like she weighs nothing. I bring my arms close to my body. As soon as she snuggles up against my chest, she calms down. She’s warm and soft, and I can feel her body rise and fall as she breathes up against me.

“You’re a complete natural.” Will wipes his hands on a towel as he studies me.

“Hey, I heard Ansley crying, do you need...” Brooklyn has popped her head in the door. As soon as she sees me, she stops talking. Her eyes fall to Ansley in my arms. I notice her jaw tighten.

“Actually, do you think you could take her up to Liv? She’s unpacking in our room. Ansley needs to eat, so Kip isn’t going to be much use - unless you’re lactating, of course.” He looks at me.

“I’m not.” I say quickly, like it needed to be said.

Brooklyn doesn’t crack a smile. She walks over to me without making eye contact and holds out her hands.

I pass Ansley to her and while I do, she does the most adorable baby yawn and stretch. I can’t help but smile, and then I hear Brooklyn mutter, “Oh, for goodness’ sake.”

Her hand brushes mine as I pass Ansley to her. She bristles as soon as our skin meets.Literally bristles.

Before I can figure out why all of this has made her even more angry with me, she’s taken Ansley and headed out of the room.

I brace my hands on the table after she leaves. “You should have told me she didn’t want me here.”