Page 21 of Hollywood

“Not sure I’ve got sheets for it,” Tex said. “Do you have some we could just fold over and use?”

“Yeah.” I ran into my bedroom and dug out my only spare set of sheets. They were pale blue, rather than white, and slippery satin. But hopefully they’d do. I grabbed the blanket Ruby brought home from the hospital, too, and the little stuffed bunny that Aiden had picked up for her at the gift shop.

I handed the sheets to Tex and lifted Ruby off the bed. “Ready to go night-night?”

She laid her head on my shoulder. “Want Mama.”

I handed her the bunny. “We’ll see Mama tomorrow.”

“Want Mama now,” she insisted, squeezing the bunny to her chest.

My heart ached for her. This had to be so confusing for her. I should have let Kelly take her. She’d be in a familiar place with familiar people. It might have been less confusing for her. I was astranger, for fuck’s sake.

“Stop spiraling,” Tex said, jolting me from my thoughts.

“How did you?—”

“Because your eyebrows draw together and you look constipated.”

I snorted. “Real nice.”

“Don’t worry. You still look as gorgeous as ever,” he said playfully.

I opened my mouth and closed it again. What the fuck was that? Tex liked to tease me about being a pretty boy, but it had never come off as a genuine compliment before. Certainly, he’d never said anything that impliedhefound me attractive.

I’d had my suspicions. Very strong ones. Otherwise, I’d have never kissed him. His gaze had lingered on me and not just on my face. He’d made a lot of excuses to touch me, just small, casual touches, but they always lasted a fraction too long for a totally straight, uninterested guy.

But he’d made it clear after the kiss he didn’t want to acknowledge the attraction.

“C’mere, Ruby.” He lifted her out of my arms. “Check out your new digs.”

He’d wrapped the sheets around the mattress, ensuring they were snug. Ruby stroked the sheets. “Pretty.”

“They are pretty,” Tex said. “Perfect for a pretty Ruby.”

She hugged her bunny, eyes heavy. She’d been exhausted hours ago. The poor kid needed to sleep.

“I don’t have any other clothes for her,” I murmured.

“She can sleep in her T-shirt and diaper for tonight,” Tex said. “My sister sent clothes, but we probably need to wash them. They’ve been in the garage for a while.”

“Right. There’s a laundry room in the basement.”

He nodded to the garbage bags full of toddler clothes. “Why don’t you go throw some in. I’ll help Ruby get settled.”

I hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“Unless you don’t want me to?—”

“No. I just thought you might want to get out of here. It’s getting late.”

Tex shrugged. “I don’t have anywhere I need to be.”

My exhale was shaky. “Really?”

“Yeah, of course.”

A smile tugged at my lips. The lead anvil sitting on my heart shrank to the size of a large rock. It wasn’t gone, but it was a hell of a lot lighter. “Okay! Yeah. That’s great. I’ll be right back.”