I turn back, hoping to God he doesn’t think I’m some weirdo. “Yeah?”
“Thank you. For everything. I’m sure I don’t even know how much you’ve helped my family.”
My stomach twists. If only he knew. “You don’t have to thank me. Really.” And then I scurry into the kitchen.
5
Brady
Isabella’s sky-blue eyes stare up at me as she smiles a toothless grin. Hold up. She has two teeth. I run my hand along the curly patch of hair on her head, mesmerized at how soft it is. And she smells… good. Like baby powder and something floral. I don’t know why I thought she’d smell like cheese. I guess I always thought kids were kind of stinky.
She keeps patting my face and smiling, which makes it almost impossible to not grin back.
“Hey, baby.” Why am I speaking in a little voice? Honestly, I’m not sure, but it feels right so I’m running with it. “I’m sorry it took so long to get down here, but it looks like you were in good hands with your Aunt Katherine.”
And when did Katherine become the baby’s aunt? No fucking clue, but the baby doesn’t seem to care that I’m talking out my ass. She giggles and coos and squishes my cheeks.
“So, Isabella. Is that what everyone calls you? That’s kind of a long name for such a little girl. Do you mind if I call you Izzy?”
She claps and giggles some more, so I take that as a sign. “Great. Izzy it is. Can you say my name? Can you say Bray-dee? Bray-dee.”
“Bway-Bway! Bway-Bway!”
Something about her saying my name expands my chest. Holy shit. That’s amazing.
I’m immediately overwhelmed by the love I have for Izzy. I’ve never believed in love at first sight, but that’s the only way to describe it. Because I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect my niece.
The thought gives me pause. Confounds me, really. Because, in a way, isn’t this the very thing I mocked my brother for experiencing? Mocked him for having inexplicable emotions for someone he just met?
I’ve been a fool.
Izzy calls my name again.
“Atta girl.” Holding her up, I blow a raspberry on her tummy and enjoy her bubbly peals of laughter before pulling her in for a hug. She squirms in my lap, kicking her chubby legs as though she’s trying to stand. I lean back on the couch and hold her arms while she tries to balance on my lap.
Izzy tilts to the left, and I pretend she’s going to fall, saying, “Whoa!” dramatically, before scooping her into my arms. She laughs so hard that her nose scrunches up.
She’s wearing sweatpants and a pint-sized Spurs t-shirt. I point at her belly and shake my head. “I need to introduce you to a team called the Celtics, and while we’re at it”—I motion to the Red Sox logo emblazoned on my chest—“we need to talk baseball. Every girl needs to know about baseball. And don’t let some boy tell you a girl can’t play because that’s BS.”
Izzy nods like she understands and then scoots off my lap. I take her hand and hover over her as she waddles toward the kitchen. Her thick socks slide on the hard wood, so I grip her forearms snugly enough she doesn’t take a tumble.
When we enter the kitchen, Katherine is standing at the sink, leaning one arm on the counter. I’m about to say something when she sniffles.
I’m debating whether to ask if she’s okay or give her a few minutes of privacy when Izzy babbles something incoherent. Katherine wipes her eyes and spins around, forcing a smile.
“Perfect timing. I have her dinner ready.” Her voice is thick with emotion.
I scoop up the baby and hold her on my hip the way Katherine did earlier.
“You okay?” I ask softly, like she’s a wounded animal I’m trying not to frighten. She bites her lip and nods, but her eyes are shiny and her face is splotchy. Before I think better of it, I’ve wrapped her in a hug with my one free arm, and she starts sobbing into my chest. Oh, shit. A crying woman is my kryptonite.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” I gently rub her shoulder, hating that she’s this upset.
I try not to notice the way she fits against my side, how delicate she feels beneath my hand, but I can’t help it. She shifts, and I catch her light floral scent that somehow reminds me of spring.
Izzy squirms in my other arm, and whatever words of comfort I think to say to Katherine escape me when the baby leans into my neck for her own embrace.
This. I’m not prepared for this.
I let Katherine cry for a few minutes until it sounds like she’s done. “So you and Mel were close, huh?”
She nods against me and sniffles.
Izzy jerks in my arms, like she’s dying to go to Katherine. “Hey, your number one fan wants you to hold her.”
Katherine looks up at me, and even though her face is a little puffy and red, her gorgeous hazel eyes are downright captivating.
Clearing my throat, I step back after she takes the baby, who plants a big, wet kiss on her cheek.
“That’s sweet, Izzy. Kisses for Aunt Katherine will make her feel better.”
Katherine’s eyes dart up to mine, like I’ve surprised her.