Page 39 of Rule 5: Never Crush on the Captain

“Don’t leave, Vinnie.”

I slide back into his bed, this time next to him. He slinks his arms around my neck.

“This okay?” he murmurs.

“Yeah.”

We slide on our pajama bottoms.

A soft smile plays on his lips, then he falls asleep.

His chest moves against mine with every breath. I pull the sheet over us, then flick off the lamp.

Finally, my eyes close.

I’m warm when I wake up, and my eyes dart open. I think I heard a sound, but perhaps I was mistaken. Evan is still beside me. Still wrapped around me.

I smile.

My heart glows.

Dawn light streams through the curtains.

His hair is messy now, no help from last night’s bedtime activities, and his cheeks are flushed pink.

The doorknob turns.

Stella.

I hop from the bed, grab the tissues piled on the side table, and stuff them in the trash basket, thankful my pajama bottoms are on.

I open the door for her. She smiles when she sees me, but she beams when she sees Evan.

Even asleep, he’s her world.

Then she’s running. She flings herself into the bed.

Evan wakes up with a start.

“Daddy!” she screams.

Worry flickers over his face for his moment, but I wink.

“I’m going to take a shower.” I grab some sweats, then duck into his ensuite.

Stella chatters happily on the other side of the door.

I take a quick shower, then emerge. I think I hear the doorbell.

My heart glows, memories of last night vivid.

Evan and Stella have left the bedroom, and I look for them downstairs.

I find them.

I also find someone else.

A woman oozing glamor perches on a sofa in the living room. I recognize her immediately. Most of America would.