Page 102 of Let Me Keep You

“I’ve been here for five minutes, Mads. You didn’t miss much.”

“Jesus,” Liam mutters, rubbing his bicep.

Maddie gives him her infamous eye roll. “Quit being a baby. I barely touched you.”

“Good to see nothing’s changed between you two.” I chuckle.

“Don’t worry. I’ll get even in six weeks when the doctor releases her.”

“Releases her from what?” I ask.

“Liam, shut up!” Maddie scolds.

Liam waggles his brows. “Releases her body back to me.”

“Okay, now I’m making you wait twelve weeks. Keep it up, and I’ll triple it.” She pouts with her hands on her hips.

“Yeah, right. You jumping me is the reason we even have two kids.”

“Ugh,” Maddie groans as Liam pulls her into his big arms and kisses her.

“There you two go again, being sickly cute. Please, spare me. I didn’t come all this way to witness you making baby number three.”

Liam releases Maddie from his hold, and she smirks at me. “Okay, good. The kids are asleep. Tyler’s napping in our bed, but you can still meet Tobias.”

“I’ll be quiet. Lead the way, Mama.”

The three of us walk into their room where a bassinet is next to their king-sized bed. Tyler’s sprawled out in the middle, sleeping peacefully. When I lean over and see Tobias, I instantly smile.

“Oh, Mads. He’s beautiful.”

Liam squeezes my shoulder, and I’m overcome with joy for my friends. They look at their sons with so much adoration. One day, I hope I get to experience what they have, but for now, I’ll live vicariously through them.

“There’s nothing like a sleeping baby,” Maddie whispers.

Tyler begins to stir, so Maddie sits on the edge of the mattress and rubs his back. She’s such an amazing mother, and her kids are so damn lucky to have them as parents. I would’ve killed to grow up in a household overflowing with love like theirs.

His eyes pop open, and Liam swoops him up in his arms. Tobias doesn’t wake as Maddie watches him in awe. Tyler places his head on his daddy’s shoulder, and Maddie grabs the baby monitor. Quietly, she moves past us, and we follow her into the living room.

“I missed you all so much,” I say, sitting on the couch.

“Well, it’s not too late to move back and live with us.”

Liam chuckles, then goes to the kitchen.

“Well, it doesn’t hurt to try. How long are you staying?” She glances over at my small bag on the floor.

“I fly out tomorrow afternoon. Have to be back at work on Wednesday morning.”

“How’s Gemma?”

“You’re relentless.”

“What do you expect? You tease me about this mystery woman, and then when I ask, you only give me crumbs of information. You’re lucky I don’t live closer.”

“Oh, no doubt you’d infiltrate her group of friends just to learn all the Gemma gossip.”

“I’m still waiting for your sister’s phone number. We’d be besties, I’m sure of it. Then she’d tell me all I need to know.”