Page 18

Chapter Seventeen

Savannah

Jamie’s in his Icebreakers jersey, looking like he’s about to head straight to the ice, and Troy is watching him with raised eyebrows. I’m doing my best to stay focused on the stove, but the energy in the room is tense, and I feel it crawling under my skin.

“You said you’ve got something for me?” Troy asks, crossing his arms, eyes narrowed.

Jamie nods, taking a sip of coffee. “Yeah. I talked to Coach Nate. I told him you had a family emergency, so you’re off the hook for practice today.”

Troy’s eyebrows shoot up, then he nods. “Appreciate it, man, really.” He glances back at me, then at Noah, who’s watching everything from his bouncer, bright-eyed and babbling. “Jamie, can we, uh… talk in my room?”

I feel my face go a little warm. Great. They’re probably about to have a full-on “what’s happening here” chat. But I just nod, scooping Noah up from his bouncer. “I’ll keep Noah entertained. Go on.”

Troy nods, looking a bit relieved. He motions for Jamie to follow him, and they disappear down the hallway.

I settle in on the couch with Noah, pulling the bottle out of the warmer and bringing it to his lips. He latches on, taking a few greedy gulps, then scrunches up his face, looking at me with big, curious eyes.

“Oh, Noah, I’ve really been messing things up, haven’t I?” I whisper, cupping his little cheeks. “ The last thing I need is to be fired because I couldn’t keep things professional. I just hope…” I sigh, brushing my thumb over his cheek. “I hope I’m not messing this up, little guy.”

He scrunches his face in response, and I can’t help but laugh. “Look at you, my little lemon,” I coo, leaning in to kiss his forehead. He gives a sleepy yawn, blinking up at me like he’s only half paying attention.

I grab my coffee, sipping it carefully as I keep him nestled close. We stay there, me rocking him gently until I hear footsteps coming back down the hall. Jamie and Troy walk into the room, and I sit up straighter, clutching Noah a little closer.

Jamie walks straight to the counter, grabs a thermos, and starts pouring coffee into it, glancing at Troy. “I’ll head to practice, then pick up the puppy.”

“Oh, right,” Troy mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. “I totally forgot about that.”

Jamie gives me a grin that makes my insides turn to jelly. “I’ll bring him by tonight. Troy, you mind if I keep him at my place for a couple days?”

Troy nods. “Actually, that’s probably better. I’ll call you after the hospital visit, okay?”

Jamie nods, and just as he turns to leave, he gives me one last smile. It hits me right in the gut, warm and soft and…something I’m trying very hard not to dwell on.

Once Jamie’s out the door, Troy finally sits at the table, digging into the eggs and bacon I set out earlier. He takes a sip of his coffee, looking up at me over the rim of the cup.

“Savannah,” he says, and there’s a warmth in his voice that catches me off guard. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

I give him a small smile, feeling my chest get a little tight. “Thanks, Troy.”

He reaches his hands out, nodding at Noah. “Here, let me hold him while you get ready to go.”

I hand Noah over, giving him a soft smile before heading to get ready, feeling a strange warmth settling over me, like for once, things just might be okay.

***

The hospital’s buzzing as we step up to the registration desk, Troy holding Noah in one arm and struggling with a pen in the other. He’s staring at the intake form like it’s written in a foreign language.

“Need some help there?” I ask, smirking.

He sighs, shaking his head. “Half of these questions…I don’t even know where to start.”

I lean over, glancing at the form. “All right, well, do you know Noah’s date of birth?”

He stares down at the form, frowning. “Uh…no. Maybe? I saw it on the birth certificate. I should have brought that with me. Fuck!”

I chuckle softly. “All right, let’s just put today’s date, and we’ll go from there.” I scribble down a few answers while Troy watches me, clearly relieved.

Once we’re all checked in, a nurse ushers us to an exam room, where we wait for the doctor. Troy looks down at Noah, his face softening, and I feel a warm twinge in my chest.

The door opens, and a doctor steps in, a pleasant smile on her face. She looks between us, her smile growing wider. “Well, aren’t you two a lovely family?”

My cheeks heat up, and I shake my head quickly. “Oh, no, we’re not…” I start.

“Not…that,” Troy adds, looking almost as flustered as I feel. “She’s…she works for me. She’s, uh, Noah’s…well…she’s my cook. And Noah’s mine, maybe. Or Jamie’s.”

The doctor blinks, clearly trying to process this, and I can feel my face getting even warmer.

“I’m sorry, what?” she asks.

I listen as Troy explains how Noah came to be in his custody.

“Right…” the doctor says finally, nodding as if it all makes sense. I wish I felt like it made sense. It’s all still a little much for me when I really think about it.

“Well, let’s start with the basics for baby Noah, shall we?” the doctor says.

She goes through Noah’s exam, talking to us about his development, what to expect at his age, and the standard tests he’ll need today. The more she explains, the more relaxed I feel, especially as Noah gurgles happily, wiggling in Troy’s arms.

When the doctor takes him for allergy tests, I glance over and notice Troy drumming his fingers on the armrest of his chair, his jaw tight.

Without thinking, I reach over, placing my hand over his. He freezes, looking down at our hands, and I suddenly realize what I’ve done. I start to pull back, my face hot.

But he surprises me, tightening his grip on my hand. For a moment, we just sit there, his fingers warm around mine, and the sounds of the hospital fade.

There’s a warmth between us I can’t ignore, and for once, I don’t want to. I feel a spark, something quiet but undeniable, humming between us.

The doctor returns with Noah, handing him back with a smile. “He’s doing great. Healthy and happy. Just keep up the checkups, and he’ll be just fine.”

We’re given the dates for future visits, as well as notes on his weight and height, and some nutrition tips. It’s all efficient and professional, but somehow, it feels like a milestone. We head out with Noah nestled in my arms, and I can feel Troy’s gaze on me as we walk through the lobby.

“You know,” I murmur as we reach the parking lot, “we need a real car seat to carry him in.”

He nods, glancing down at Noah. “Good call. Let’s grab one on the way back home.”

We drive to a baby store, and as we walk through aisles filled with tiny clothes and pastel-colored toys, I have to remind myself to keep my head on straight. I’m his cook. Just his cook.

Troy picks out a car seat with a concentration I usually see in someone choosing stocks or making a career move. “Think this one’s good?”

I nod, feeling a pang of something warm in my chest as he inspects it like it’s the most important thing he’ll buy all year.

On the drive back, he breaks the silence between us. “So, are you sure you want to stick around and help with the baby?”

I glance down at Noah, a smile creeping onto my face. “Yeah. I already love the little guy.”

Troy nods, a soft smile on his face. “All right. We’ll work out your salary next week.”

I wave a hand dismissively. “We can talk about that later.”

He glances over at me, his eyes warm. “You’re a natural with kids, you know that? Ever thought about having one of your own?”

I don’t hesitate, nodding. “Yes.”

Because I really, really do want kids.

“Good.”

“Yeah,” I smile at him. “I think Noah will be the perfect chance for me to figure out how to parent.”

He smirks back at me. “Well, you and me both, Savannah.”