Page 24 of Best Kept Secret

“Her reaction is probably pretty common, then. Not that I have personal experience with this.”

He chuckled. “Thanks for being here.”

The sweet look on his face made her melt. “Despite your sister’s worries, you don’t need me to help babysit. You’re doing a great job on your own.”

“That wasn’t why I invited you here.”

“Oh.”

Their eyes locked and held, and he started to lean in.

Is he going to kiss me? Yes! Please kiss me!

She leaned in too, but then came a sound at the door, and they quickly pulled back. She clasped her hands in her lap, and he jiggled the plastic keys in front of Annie as the door opened and Jared walked in.

Jared looked at her and Hudson and then glanced around the room at the trail of baby items. He must have considered the situation safe because he smiled and said, “I thought I saw your car out front.”

“I just stopped by—”

“To see you,” said Hudson, “but then she saw Annie—”

“And I had to hold her. You know how much I love babies,” she said, smoothly following Hudson’s lead.

“You and every other woman who has seen her,” said Jared.

What other women? She had no right to be jealous, especially since they weren’t officially dating, but still.

“You mean like that woman who saw you in a towel, holding Annie?” Hudson teased.

Jared laughed, and she instantly felt relieved that it hadn’t been Hudson instead, although she wouldn’t mind seeing him in a towel or without one…

“Have you guys eaten dinner yet?” Jared asked. He walked over to the couch and chucked Annie’s cheek, and she looked up at him with a wet-mouthed baby grin.

At least Kelsey wasn’t the only one enamored with the little girl. Now that Jared had seen her with Annie, she’d have a good excuse to visit more often. Of course, if he’d caught her and Hudson kissing, there would have been an entirely different outcome.

“I haven’t, and I’m starved,” Hudson said.

It took her a moment to remember what they’d been talking about. Then her eyes lit up. “We could order a pizza.”

“Fine with me,” Jared said.

“Me too,” said Hudson.

She practically sprang off the couch. “I know where the menus are. You guys can hang out with Annie while I order.”

Jared took her spot while she skipped off to the kitchen. Opening the junk drawer, she found the menu for one of her favorite pizza places and started perusing it. In the meantime, she heard the men talking, but she only caught a few words. They’d lowered their voices, and she assumed it was because Annie had fallen asleep.

“Did you…?” Jared said.

“No.”

“Why not?”

Their voices dipped even lower after that, and she gave up trying to listen. Besides, if she didn’t order the pizza soon, they’d wonder what was taking so long. After she placed the order, she strolled back into the living room and found Hudson alone.

She must have looked confused, because he filled in the blanks. “I put Annie down for a nap in my bedroom, and Jared went to take a quick shower.”

“Oh.” They were alone for now, but she knew their time was short. Still, she moved across the room and joined him on the couch. Before, Annie had been between them, but now there was nothing but a few inches of couch fabric.