Page 15

Chapter

Twelve

S ebastian thought he might just die of the cute.

The guys had been at the house all day filming, but they’d come back up to the hotel for supper, and they’d brought a bunch of Abby’s clothes and toys with them when they did.

They were waiting for their dinner in the private dining room, and the guys, including Colton, were all on the floor with Abby, playing some convoluted ball game with her grocery store bouncy ball that only she knew the rules to.

He and Xavi were sitting at one of the tables, folding a whole basket full of tiny clothes. They’d done a shit-ton of laundry today, for him, Abby, and for the crew.

He felt as if it was the least he could do. Especially since he had a room at the hotel now so Xavi could have his couch back.

“That’s pretty adorable,” Xavi muttered. Neither he nor Xander were really on board with him getting friendly with Colton again, but Xavi did have to admit the crew was respectful, Colton was good to him, and they all loved Abby.

Sebastian shrugged. “I don’t know what to do. It is cute. And what if he’s right? What if none of this happened?”

Xavi gave him a look.

“Okay, you know what I mean. It happened, but what if he really didn’t know about any of it?”

“What if he knew about all of it, and he’s just lying now?”

Sebastian rolled his eyes at Xavi. “Who on earth comes back deliberately to a three-year-old? They’re rotten.”

He winked as Xavi cracked up.

Whoever said terrible twos were a thing had obviously never had a child that was three. Abby was going to be four soon, though. In just a few months. Everybody swore that the terrible threes absolutely got better.

“You may have a point,” Xavi admitted. “Although your three-year-old is the cutest three-year-old in the history of three-year-olds.”

“Right.” And he thought it was really sweet as pie, the way that Colton dealt with her, acted like she was his. After all, she kind of was, at least biologically.

Sebastian was trying so hard to keep his shit together, to stay calm and cool and collected even with Colton right there, and his body and heart insisting that he needed his alpha.

Fucker.

His body. Not Colton. Colton was being incredibly kind. Generous. But not tossing money at him or trying to buy him. No, mostly he was being open about things and giving his time and energy to him and Abby both.

And he was still smokin’ hot.

Sebastian hated that Colton had been hurt. That he’d almost died! And his poor leg. But he was here. And he was… God, he was like a dream.

“I just want you to be cautious,” Xavi said.

“I will be. I have to admit, I want to fling myself at him, though.”

Colton looked up then, those violet-gray eyes meeting his with an intensity that made his whole body tighten.

Colton called to him. There was no question really. Colton’s stare spoke of need and of hunger.

And Sebastian got it.

“Uncle Xavi, I hafta potty.”

“Okay, kiddo, I’ll take you. Come on.” He got a wild grin from Xavi. “I’m the Head of the Potty Train.”

“You are. Choo choo.” Xavi needed an alpha who wanted like a dozen kids. Seriously. He was going to make a great dad.

Iago watched them go. “She adores him.”

“He’s one of her godfathers.”

“Yeah? Xander is the other one?”

“Uh-huh.”

Iago was still watching the door, a speculative look on his face. He kinda thought Iago was an omega, but what did he know? Maybe he was attracted to Xavi. Or something.

“She’s amazing. Seriously. So smart.”

“She is. And she’s brave too. I love how she’s never met a stranger.”

“She just makes me smile.” Iago turned to grin at him finally. “I never thought about kids, really.”

“And you are now?”

“Well, at least in an abstract way.”

“Someone come help me up,” Colton said, laughing. “And you can’t have that one. She’s got a dad.”

“She can always use adults that love her.” He walked right over and brought Colton a sturdy chair and his cane.

Colton beamed at him, then hauled his ass up off the floor.

“I totally want everyone to adore her, but Iago tends to tuck things in his pocket and walk away with them.”

“Hey! I am not a klepto.” Iago huffed, but his eyes were twinkling, so this clearly was an old joke.

“What he means,” Mason said, “is that Iago collects things. Weird old shit from ghost towns. People. Unitasker cooking utensils.”

Sebastian tilted his head, intrigued. “Like what?”

“I have an arepa maker. A crepe?—”

“Oh. I love arepas. Love. Them.” With pickled onions. Maybe some cotija cheese. Uhn.

“Me too! Fluffy and yummy with a crisp outside.”

“Are you guys talking my language?” Xander brought in a tray of sandwiches and baskets of fries.

“Food? Yes. Did you know Iago likes kitchen unitaskers?”

“What’s your weirdest one?” Xander asked.

“The Sushi Bazooka.”

Xander’s eyes went wide. “OMG! I love that! Isn’t it amazing, the way it just puts the sushi together for you?”

“Right? I tried for years to roll my own, and it just never worked.” Iago did a weird little dance. “I have ongiri molds too.”

“Oh, that’s actually so good,” Colton put in. “Crispy rice with stuff on top.”

“Mmhmm…” That would be delicious with some dumplings… “Xander, can we have dumplings soon?”

“Of course. I can do a whole deal tomorrow night.”

If Iago had a tail, it would be wagging. “Can I help? I love folding dumplings. Like in a deep way.”

Colton rolled his eyes. “He’ll be working for you instead of me soon, Xander.”

“If you’re willing, I’d love the company.” Xander beamed at Iago and held out one hand to shake.

Iago took it, and Sebastian saw his eyes widen. Huh. He glanced at Colton, who winked at him. Double huh.

Abby came traipsing back in with Xavi, and she skipped right to Mason to hold out her arms. “Dance.”

He kind of held his breath, because Mason was the quietest one, the one who was kind of gruff, but he grabbed Abby and stood, twirling her around. “Sing, girlfriend.”

“Luff my friens! Luff Daddy and Xavi and Xan! Luff everybody!” Her song rang out, and suddenly Sebastian wanted to let her spend some time with him and Colton, together.

“Oh, I know this song!” Law popped up to boogie over and shimmy around Mason and Abby. “I love my boss. He keeps me fed! I love the food here! I love our Abby!”

Abby laughed, pure joy pouring from her, and Sebastian beamed as she went from man to man, hugging each one in turn, including Colton.

Colton, in fact, she smacked a big kiss on, right on his cheek. “Hello! You tell the ghosts to go!”

“Oh, I like your rhyme, kiddo,” Colton said, and tears stung Sebastian’s eyes, because Colton looked… Transported.

Like so in love.

And that was what he’d always wanted. He used to think, if only Colton would meet her, he would adore her. Now he was really beginning to believe it truly was a matter of could, not would. Colton was so angry at his parents. Sebastian didn’t think he could fake that.

He really didn’t. And Colton was talking college funds and medical savings accounts for Abby.

But not that check he said he hadn’t known about.

“I like you. What you name?”

Colton looked to him, panicked, and he smiled, taking a deep breath and jumping in with both feet.

“That’s Papa Colton, baby girl.”