Page 113 of For Your Consideration

“I missed you, sweet girl.” I peppered her with kisses on her neck and cheeks as she babbled.

“Oh, thank the Lord,” Iris said as she stood up. “I thought you were coming in alone.” She looked at Asher with a smirk. I shook my head and kissed Sophie again to hide my blush. When she returned the kiss on my cheek, although it was much more slobbery than mine, I let out a contented sigh.

When Sophie noticed Asher was standing behind me, she squealed loudly again and tried to fling herself over to him and my grip wasn’t tight enough. Thankfully the man had fast reflexes and caught her, pulling her out of my arms. He kissed her like I had and drew her in a little closer as she babbled and patted his scruffy cheek.

“If my ovaries were still firing,” Iris muttered to me as she fanned herself, watching my girl talk to Ash. “This makes me want to go see Clint and get a little action of my own. Thankfully I can’t get pregnant.”

“Iris,” I scolded again. She was on a roll this morning.

“What?” She looked over at me in confusion. “The sexual tension is thick.” She leaned closer. “Thank God you finally got some.”

I widened my eyes at her and she just laughed. When I looked over at Asher, he’d clearly heard since he was trying to smother his own smile. The shock from her first comment must have worn off. “How was she?” I asked, deciding it was best to change the topic.

“Perfection, as always. She slept the night away and woke up happy. You can leave her with me overnight whenever you need to.” She gently bumped her hip into mine.

“Thanks, Iris, but she’ll spend nights at my house.” Asher looked down at Sophie. “We should get going,” he said, not looking the least bit guilty at making that proclamation about where Sophie and I would be sleeping. He and I would be having a conversation but now was not the time.

“What’s got you kids up so early?” Iris questioned as she went to grab her purse. Asher moved to get Sophie’s diaper bag.

“The lawyer wanted a meeting,” I answered as Asher passed me Sophie so I could load her up in the car seat he had carried up. I didn’t want to think about how well he and I moved together in everyday life. Like we had known each other so long we could communicate without words.

“Now?” Iris asked as Asher grabbed the car seat effortlessly.

“Yeah. We’re heading to Asher’s place to meet her.”

“I’m coming,” Iris declared as she grabbed her jacket off a chair.

“You don’t have to,” I started, looking over at her.

“Don’t be pulling that. You two are my family and I want to hear what she has to say,” she said firmly. I felt my eyes start to water as she walked toward the front door. “Let’s go, kids,” she called. Asher didn’t look bothered—instead his face was relaxed. Which it wasn’t often.

We all piled into the car, Iris insisting on sitting in the back. Sophie’s eyes were heavy as the drive started, which I could see in the mirror that Asher had put back there. My phone buzzed a few more times in my pocket when we were close to his place.

“What’s going on this morning?” I asked, going to pull it out as we turned into the driveway.

“I have a feeling we’ll have a full house.”

I sat there a little shocked as I saw not only Will standing on the front steps, but Oli, Jaxson, Noah, Knight, and Quinn were all there too. Thor was even sitting happily at Quinn’s feet.

I didn’t even know what to say.

“You couldn’t leave us a key?” Noah called as we stepped out of the car. Asher was already working on getting Soph out of her car seat.

“He could have given us a door code,” Jaxson added with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Don’t do it,” Knight said. “He’ll let himself in and never leave.” When Quinn elbowed him in the stomach, he pretended to rub the spot but he really just looked down at her and smiled.

“I like them.” Iris came to stand next to me.

“I call dibs on Sophie first!” Quinn declared as she moved up to Asher.

“I haven’t had her that long,” Asher grumbled, which got a laugh out of a few of the men, but from Asher’s tight jaw, I knew he wasn’t kidding.

“Too bad. You get her way more than me.” Quinn held out her arms. Sophie looked at Asher and started to giggle as he leaned over and rubbed his nose against hers.

“I’m telling you…” I looked over at Iris who was fanning herself. “If you don’t lock that man down then I might have to take a chance.” I smiled as I watched him move Sophie a little closer to Quinn, but she didn’t look thrilled about it. Honestly, I think that’s what he wanted—for her to be upset about leaving him. He wouldn’t have had to try too hard.

My girl was obsessed.