Page 22 of The Last Thing (Baker Girls #4)

I’m the baby. The chaotic one. The one who got knocked up by the guy who made me come on a Ferris wheel. Whose daughter I’m now nannying for.

Chaos is exactly right.

Sophia fell asleep in record time tonight.

As has become common, I read to her while Wilson showered, but she fell asleep halfway through our second book.

While it was tempting to snuggle in and fall asleep beside her, I shouldn’t make a habit of that.

I don’t want to confuse her. It’ll be confusing enough when we tell her about the baby.

Plus, I need to talk to Wilson about next weekend.

Don’t lie down.

I’m exhausted and can’t stop yawning, but if I lie down, I’ll fall asleep. Then Wilson will carry me to his bed, and I’ll lose any remaining shreds of hope of not completely falling in love with him.

How do I protect myself from the inevitable hurt?

I can’t. I’m a lost cause.

Wilson walks into the room, shirtless, in gray sweats, with his wet hair mussed—only proving my point.

“Waiting for me, Hellion?”

I narrow my eyes, even though I love when he calls me that.

“Maybe. I wanted to talk to you about something.”

He drops onto the couch and pulls my legs onto his lap, massaging them like he’s been doing pretty much every night lately.

“What’s up? If it’s a sleepover request, the answer is yes—at least if it means you sleeping in my bed.”

I shake my head. Sophia was beyond thrilled when Wilson agreed she could have a sleepover here with Maria on Friday.

“Well… kind of? I told my parents today.”

He freezes. “And?”

“They were great. Supportive. They’re excited to meet you and Sophia.” I clear my throat. This is the complicated part—mostly because he’s probably going to be thrilled. “I told them we were together. For simplicity’s sake.”

The smile this man gives is unlike anything I’ve seen before. He’s beaming so brightly you’d think he’s incapable of frowning.

“Oh, really?”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Impossible.”

I roll my eyes, trying to play it off, because what I have to say next only heightens my vulnerability.

“Anyway, they asked me to come down and see them next weekend—and to bring you.”

“Your parents want to meet me next weekend?”

“If we can make it happen.”

“Of course. I’ll make it work. No question. But Hal, do they know how old I am? I don’t want to walk in there with them thinking I’m your age and see an older guy and think I’m a predator?—”

“Wilson. Stop. They know the whole story. With certain parts redacted. It’s all good.”

He lets out a long breath. “Meeting your parents.”

“Yep. They wanted to meet Sophia too, but I figured we should wait until after?—”

“I agree. Plus, it’ll be good for them to meet me first and get any questions or worries out of the way.”

I practically snort at that. “All it’ll take is them spending five minutes with you to know they don’t need to have any.”

“I’m the guy who got their youngest daughter pregnant.”

“And the one who takes perfect care of her every single day.”

His hand pauses on my leg. “Did you tell them that too?”

“Maybe,” I whisper. “I wanted them to know I’m safe and happy.”

He shifts on the couch, moving closer and brushing his thumb over my cheek. “Are you happy?”

“Yes. It’s impossible not to be when I’m with you and Sophia. You say I bring out the fun side of you, well you two bring out my joyful side. Even if my parents hadn’t asked to meet you, I would’ve wanted you to come.” I look to the side, forcing my emotions down. “You make me feel safe.”

“I will do everything in my power to make sure you always feel that way.”

He lets out a long sigh, his hand slipping from my cheek, and damn my stupid, ignorant heart. It wants to beg for more.

“When do you want to leave next weekend?”

“Saturday morning? We can meet up with them in the afternoon, have some dinner, then stay at my old apartment. My parents haven’t rented it out yet. Then maybe I could take you to a couple of my favorite spots in the city before we come home later on Sunday?”

“Sounds good to me. I’m sure my mom can watch Sophia.”

“Actually, I was thinking maybe Frannie could watch her. Soph could go up there or Frannie could come down here. That way Sophia can pretty much be at home, and she and Frannie can get to know each other better. It’s good for them to bond since Frannie will sort of be like Sophia’s aunt.”

My cheeks heat a little, and he watches me, a slow smile spreading up his face.

“Hellion, are you imagining us as a family?”

The mix of intensity and joy in his eyes is hard to ignore. Especially because I’m tired of lying or trying to convince myself it’s not true.

“Something like that.”

His warm eyes stay locked on me for another moment, then he sweeps a strand of hair behind my ear.

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“Good,” I breathe. Then I yawn because I’m still exhausted.

“You need to sleep.”

“I—”

“Nope.” He stands up and holds out his hand, pulling me up from the couch. But he doesn’t make a move toward the bedroom. Instead, he wraps his arms around me, breath tickling my ear. “Let me take perfect care of you.”

I gulp at the devious promise in his words.

Not because of any sexual implications. Because I know he means every syllable of every word.

He’s going to tuck me into his bed, wrap himself around me, and make sure I have everything I need all night.

Then he’ll do it again tomorrow. And the next day. And…

He guides me down the hall, arm wrapped around me in a way that’s both comforting and possessive.

The last of my resolve is washing away, and as if it’s the glue holding my walls together, I can already feel them starting to crumble.