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“Ollie's been very protective of the nickname.” The younger Braxton brother says and walks over with an easy grin.” Apparently only he gets to use it.”

“And you should remember that, punk,” Ollie calls from the kitchen without looking up from the stove.

Chase rolls his eyes. “See what I have to deal with?”

“How tragic,” I tease him.

His expression softens. “It’s nice to finally meet you properly, Peyton. FaceTime doesn’t count.”

“Likewise. Although I feel like I already know more about you than I probably should.”

He laughs and pulls me into a hug, easing some of the worry inside me. I’d been nervous about this part—meeting more of Ollie’s family and stepping into a space filled with people who have known him far longer than I have—but Chase makes it feel simple.

When he steps back, he studies me before nodding to himself. “I get it now.”

“Get what exactly?” Ollie asks as he walks over from the kitchen.

He comes straight to me, leaning down to brush a kiss against my lips. When he pulls back, he doesn’t go far, his smile soft and just for me. “Hey, sweetheart,” he murmurs, quiet enough that only I can hear.

“Hey, handsome,” I whisper back.

“You, my brother,” Chase says, popping the little bubble we’d fallen into.

Ollie raises an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate?”

“You’ve gone soft, and now I get why.”

“I have not.”

“You absolutely have,” Chase insists, wearing a grin so similar to his brother’s that I have to bite back mine. “You smile all the time now. It’s honestly kind of disgusting.” His gaze flicks to me. “But I guess I can’t blame you.”

“Watch it, little brother,” Ollie warns him.

Chase holds up his hands. “Chill out, old man. I don’t need that kind of stress in my life. I’m perfectly happy being single.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Just wait until you meet the one person who makes you act exactly the same.”

“Not happening.”

“We’ll see,” Ollie says, with the kind of knowing smile that makes Chase roll his eyes.

Still chuckling, I step farther into the apartment and let my eyes wander around the familiar space. The coffee table has disappeared beneath a mountain of baby toys and a picture book lying open to a page covered in farm animals. Someone has left an empty mug beside the couch, another three sit on the dining table and there's a gray hoodie draped over one of the dining chairs that doesn't belong to Ollie or me.

Ollie stops behind me, one hand settling at my waist and the other coming around me in embrace. “You smell like sunscreen and fun times,” he says against my hair.

“That's better than smelling like baby spit-up.”

“The day's still young,” Chase comments.

That earns another laugh from all three of us and the sound catches Tilly's attention. She lets out a squeal from her play mat. I crouch beside her, and her whole face lights up with recognition. Her arms stretch toward me.

“Well, hello there,” I greet the little one, lifting her into my arms. “Did you have fun while I was gone?”

She answers by grabbing a fistful of my hair. “I think she missed you,” Ollie says.

“I was only gone two nights.”

“That's forever in baby time.”