Page 46 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

Cradling the tiny form, I touch his chubby cheek. "Hey Liam. I'm your auntie Alisha. Thanks for finally coming out. You turned your mom into quite the hormone bomb these past nine months."

"God, he's tiny," Cole murmurs, staring at the baby with something like awe.

Emma snorts. "Try pushing him out. Doesn't feel tiny then."

Cole rubs his neck awkwardly as we laugh. "When you put it that way..."

"He was in a hurry," Nick adds. "Emma was fully dilated when we got here."

"Wait. No epidural?" I stare at my friend in shock.

She shrugs. "No time. Once he decided to come, there was no stopping him."

"Damn, Em. You're a queen."

"She is," Nick agrees softly, leaning down to kiss his wife.

Liam chooses that moment to open his eyes, revealing warm brown irises just like his father's.

"Oh boy, you'll be breaking hearts with those eyes, little man."

"Got your mama's nose though," Cole points out.

"Want to hold your nephew, Uncle Cole?"

To my surprise, Cole nods. Something in my chest melts watching this powerful man cradle tiny Liam so carefully in his massive arms. He whispers softly to the baby, who stares back with intense focus.

"Welcome to the world, little man. I'm your uncle Cole. When you're older, your dad, uncle Brian and I will teach you everything about girls."

"You bet we will," Brian announces, striding into the room.

Amanda follows, carrying an identical brown teddy bear to ours. Nick bursts out laughing when his sister spots our matching gift.

"Oh shit," she groans.

"Should've gone with the bunny like I said," Brian smirks.

"Shut up, you donkey." Amanda rolls her eyes. "I picked the bear for a reason. I call my brother's hugs 'giant hugs,' so I thought my nephew should have his own cuddly version."

Nick wraps his sister in one of those famous hugs. "Thank you. And hey, two bears are perfect. Charlotte loves them."

After kissing her brother's cheek, Amanda rushes to congratulate Emma.

"Where's my nephew?" she demands.

"Right here," Cole says, his deep voice gentle.

Amanda turns and freezes. "Damn, you look good with a baby in your arms." She approaches slowly as Cole transfers Liam to her.

"Oh my god, you're perfect," she whispers thickly, touching his tiny face. "One day I'll find my prince charming and make a baby just as beautiful as you."

I catch Brian's pained expression before he masks it with his usual cockiness. The man is such an idiot. He’s going to lose her if he doesn't get his act together.

"You and Alisha would make gorgeous babies too," Amanda says with a cheeky grin. "Imagine a little girl with Alisha's looks or a boy with Cole's height."

Heat floods my face as images of our potential children fill my mind.

"Calm your ovaries," Brian growls. "They're not there yet."

"And how would you know?" Amanda fires back.

"They're still in the I fuck you everywhere stage. Found them about to go for it when I arrived."

"Oh shit, your date!" Amanda squeaks. "I totally forgot!"

Liam chooses that moment to demonstrate his impressive lungs. Nick quickly reclaims his son.

"Sis, language! He's too young for those words."

We all laugh at Amanda's reddening cheeks. "Sorry," she mumbles as Nick kisses her forehead.

An older nurse appears, eyebrows raised at our group. "Visiting hours are over, and only two visitors at a time. Mother and baby need rest."

After goodbyes, we file out. Amanda pulls me aside in the hallway while Cole and Brian talk.

"So? How amazing was it before my idiot interrupted?"

I can't help grinning. "Incredible. He surprised me with dinner on his balcony."

She frowns. "That's it?"

"Let me finish! He transformed the whole space into a private beach - sand, palm trees, romantic table setting, and the most beautiful four-poster bed."

Amanda's jaw drops as she glances at Cole. "Holy Christ, I picked the wrong friend."

"Too late." I bump her shoulder. "He's my man now."

"Your man, huh?" Her smile grows as my cheeks burn at the slip.

She leans close. "Girl, you two are perfect together.

I've known Cole forever, love him like a brother.

But he's been living on his private island for years, not letting anyone in.

Then you and Samantha burst into his life and turned everything upside down - exactly what he needed.

He's more open now, happier than I've ever seen him. "

I hug her tight, then ask softly, "What about you and Brian?"

She swallows hard, raw emotion flashing in her eyes as she looks at him. "I don't know anymore. I'm tired of waiting. One minute he acts like he wants me, the next he pushes me away and shuts down."

My heart aches seeing her pain. I squeeze her hand. "Then stop waiting. Show him you're done with his back and forth. Plenty of men would kill to date you."

Her smile doesn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, you're right."

"Hey, Brownie!" Brian calls. "Ready to go?"

I hide my grin at his nickname for her. Amanda rolls her eyes as we join them.

"Stop calling me that," she snaps.

Brian's eyes sparkle with amusement.

"Wipe that smirk off your face and let's go. You still need to fix my car." She turns to Cole. "Thank you for showing me true gentlemen still exist. Now I just need to find my own."

Cole kisses her hand gallantly, making Amanda giggle and Brian's eyes narrow. After they leave, I watch Brian sprint to catch up with her at his blue Maserati.

"He needs to wake up before he loses the perfect woman."

Cole wraps his arms around my waist from behind. "Speaking of waking up... how about we go home for dessert?"

I turn in his embrace. "Depends what kind of dessert."

"Boston cream pie."

Rising on tiptoes, I kiss him. "Perfect. I have some creative ideas for eating it. Clothing optional."

I sway my hips as I walk ahead, not caring about the stares we're getting. "Hurry up, Walker!"

Feeling naughty, I lift my skirt slightly. Cole's smirk turns to horror as his head snaps sideways. He starts running toward me, shouting something I can't hear.

A roaring engine makes me turn. My eyes widen as I freeze, seeing a motorcycle speeding straight at me.

"Alex! Watch out!"