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“I would love that, but I don’t know. I’m supposed to be the nanny and not party during the weekdays.”

“You can’t work twenty-four seven,” I counter. “So take the night off. Have a few drinks. Dance. Forget that dickhead ex of yours for a few hours.”

She smiles a little wider this time, reaching for her phone. “I’ll text the ladies.”

“Good. I’ll check on Tills and start on dinner.”

I start to turn toward the hallway, but her next words stop me. “Thanks, Ollie, for being there for me.” She clears her throat. “I, um, appreciate it.”

I pause with my hand resting on the doorframe. Hearing those words from her does something to my chest I don't have a name for.

“Don’t sweat it. I’m here if you need to talk. I went through a breakup last year. We weren’t married, but imagining a future with someone and then watching it disappear still sucked.”

Her fingers tighten around her phone. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I.”

I open the door two hours later to Eli and Jax holding takeout bags. Eli looks put together as usual and Jax wears his typical all-black outfit. His arms and throat are covered in colorful ink, which isn’t surprising given his profession as a tattoo shop manager who also does the work himself.

“Please tell me you brought Chinese from that place down the street,” I say as a greeting.

Eli lifts the bag he’s holding. “You underestimate how well we know you.”

“Come on in.”

Jax pauses the second he steps into the living room, eyes fixed on the bassinet where Tilly kicks her legs, cooing softly. His expression is a mix of awe and hesitation. Considering he’s the one who doesn’t want children and usually lectures everyone on how much he dislikes them, it’s startling to see my normally confident friend so completely shaken by my niece.

“She’s just so small,” he says in an exhale.

Eli snorts behind him. “Babies are generally known for that.”

“I mean,” Jax continues, eyes locked on her, “I knew she’d be small. I’ve seen pictures. But it’s different in person.”

“I get what you mean. It’s been weird to have her around after only meeting her once and seeing photos of her my sister sent me,” I say.

It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that my sister is MIA right now. One day she’s sending a random flood of photos and updates, and the next, radio silence. No calls or texts. Nothing. Part of me wants to be annoyed and angry, but another part understands I need to hold everything together if she decides to show up again. Life hasn’t been easy for her and she needs a break. Not that I approve, but I still get where she’s coming from.

Jax’s question brings me back to the present. “Can I hold her?”

“You sure?” I blink in shock.

“It’s about time I experience how a baby feels in my arms.”

Tilly makes a loud sound, followed by an enthusiastic kick that makes the bassinet jiggle. Jax’s head snaps back toward her. She looks right at him with wide eyes.

“Oh,” he says again, quieter this time. I watch his expression soften unexpectedly. “She’s staring at me.”

“That’s how eyes work,” Eli replies teasingly.

Jax ignores him. “Why is she looking at me?” he mutters, but doesn’t look away either.

I lift her from the bassinet and rest her against my chest. Jax watches my every move as if studying for an exam. “You have to support her head,” I explain. “Always the head. And keep her close to your chest. She likes it.”

“What if I drop her?”

“You won’t,” I reassure him. Tilly chooses that moment to let out a small, indignant sound and squirm in my arms.

Jax swallows audibly. “What does that mean?”