Caught Up (Windy City, #3)

by Liz Tomforde

Vulnerability is a sensation I like to steer clear from. My lifestyle isn’t conducive to close and long-term friendships. I haven’t had to be vulnerable with anyone in a very long time, and I’ve avoided self-reflection for years.

“Does what other people think really matter?”

“First you want me to watch your son, travel with you, and now I need to cook for you? God, what else do you want me to do?” His thumb trails down my jaw before sliding against my lower lip. “I want you to kiss me again.” Oh. He stares at my mouth. “I really liked kissing you, Mills.”

“Miller Montgomery, you cold, unattached woman. Get over here and cuddle with me.”

“Thank you for bringing Max to the field today. It meant the world to me.” “I can’t believe none of his other nannies ever brought him.” “I never asked them to. I never talked to any of them long enough to ask.” “But you talk to me.” His blue eyes are soft. “Yeah, Mills. I talk to you.”

This moment would be a whole lot sweeter, the two of them cozy on my chest together, if Monty wasn’t still staring down at me.

“What can I help you with?” Kai holds up a couple of Coronas. “Brought you your favorite morning beverage.” “It’s ten a.m.” “Too late for you?” Chuckling, I take one from him. “Not quite.”

“You bought this for me?” “Well, you’re not getting paid to watch my kid; I figured it was the least I could do.” My head jerks his way, a startled laugh escaping me. “I’m absolutely getting paid this summer. The Warriors are paying me.” “Oh.” He studies my new work area. “I’ll just return all this then.” “Don’t you dare.” I hold up an accusatory finger but all it does is bring his stunning smile to life. “It’s beautiful, Kai. Thank you.” “Thank you. For taking care of Max.” He pauses, his voice softer. “He really likes you.”

“I just…after everything he’s done for me, he deserves to live the life he missed out on.” Kai’s brows pinch. “The life he missed out on? He misses you.”

“I just want him to be proud of me. After everything, he deserves an impressive daughter.” “He has one.”

“Why are you being extra nice to me?” He doesn’t look at me, only stares at our hands. “I have no fucking clue, Mills.”

“And cover up your guy thighs. We’re being professional here. I technically work for you, and I didn’t even know I had a thing for men’s legs until you came along with all that tatted skin and lean muscle.” “Me?” His head jerks back. “What about you? I get hard just looking at your legs.”

His blue eyes are shining, his hair is still a little sweaty from his afternoon nap, but gosh dang it is he fucking cute.

I want him to feel like he’s doing this. Who knows, maybe he’s learning. I would’ve loved to learn about the kitchen from my mom, but she wasn’t around to teach me in the same way Max’s mom isn’t here to teach him.

And it’s especially fun when Max throws the flour into the bowl and a big flour cloud flies up because of it, coating him in a layer of white. He laughs hysterically and I can’t help but join him. His messy brown hair is dusted, his shirt is covered, but there’s a giant smile on his face as he tries to suck in enough air to breathe through his laughter.

Happy and excited while baking. About time I felt that again.

Cleanliness and organization are rules one and two in the kitchens I contract for. Other than my one single towel I keep over my shoulder, I don’t touch anything. My hair is pulled back tight, my uniform is crisp, and my skin is covered. But I’ve got a naked baby over here, my hair is messily on top of my head, and I couldn’t feel more like myself.

“What did you guys make, Miller?” “Banana bread.” His brows lift along with an excited smile. “You finished a new dessert?” It’s cute how much he wants this for me.

“I like to bake for other people.” And I haven’t baked for someone other than critics in far too long. It’s almost as if I forgot that my favorite part of baking is feeding the people I love.

“You’re not going to blow on it for me?” He wears a devilish smile, but mine is a whole lot naughtier. “Oh, I’ll blow something for you. All you have to do is ask.”

That’s the best banana bread I’ve ever had. I don’t even know if you should call it bread. It’s more like cake and I want to eat the entire thing.”

“Good job, Mills.” Whoa. An odd rush of emotion sneaks up on me, overwhelming my senses. What the hell is that about? I can’t remember the last time I was told I was doing a good job in the kitchen, and Kai said it so matter-of-factly. So confidently. It makes me want to bake more so I can hear it again.

She’s all denim today, back in her usual cutoff overalls. I’ve realized she only has maybe four or five pairs that she rotates through, but these ones might be my favorite, showing off her thick thighs.

Cupping my son’s cheeks, I give him a kiss on his head before reaching over, about to do the same to his nanny until it hits me midair on the way to cradle the back of her head that I’m out of my fucking mind right now.

Finally, her attention finds mine but all she does is bite her lip and waggle her brows, never one to shy away from letting me know how attractive she finds me. It feels really fucking good to be looked at the way she looks at me, especially by a woman like Miller. Beautiful, successful, could have any man she wants but is looking at me.

“M&M. Max and Malakai. That has a nice ring to it.” And Miller. Max and Malakai and Miller.

There’s been a shift. I’m enjoying the game again, every part of it. I’m content, which is an odd thing to feel after stressing for the last ten months, convinced I wasn’t doing enough as a parent.

“If I knew my daughter’s baking would’ve had you guys hitting like this, I would’ve had her overnight me desserts years ago.” Monty joins us, taking a cookie for himself. “Hey!” Isaiah calls out. “You’ve got to hit a homer for a cookie.” Monty levels my brother with a look. “I don’t have to do shit. I raised the girl, and I could bench your ass if I felt like it, Rhodes.”

“Ace, why is my daughter baking this kind of stuff every day instead of working on her recipes for the article?” He’s clearly not going to let this go, so finally, I turn to face him. “I think maybe it’s Max.” Monty squints in confusion. “I think she likes showing Max the basics, letting him help in some capacity. He’s been in the kitchen with her every day.” A smile cracks on my lips. “She even got him his own little apron with dinosaurs all over it. I’m sure she’ll get back to working on the other stuff soon, but for now, they’ve been having fun doing this together.” A soft grin slides across Monty’s face. “Good. This is the stuff that makes her happy, not all that frou-frou bullshit people pay her to make.”

“Are you okay? What’s going on?” “I think he’s about to walk.”

“You can’t miss his first steps.”

Hands in the air to balance himself, he shakily steps his right foot forward. It touches the ground before he does the same with the left. I can feel the smile widening on my face. “There you go. You’re doing it! Keep going!”

I once assumed I didn’t have anyone there to celebrate the good moments with, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’ve had these guys the whole time.

“Kai,” she whispers. “Hmm?” “Are you going to kiss me?” “Thinking about it.” “What happened to your no-more-kissing rule?” “Wanting to break it.”

Would you want to come to family dinner with me?” “Do you need help with Max?” “No.” I can see her tensing from here, maybe thinking my invitation means more than it should. Truly, I have no idea what it means other than I want her there.

“And just how many of your people will be there?” If she goes, all of them.

At the same time, there’s an odd pressure sitting on my chest, hoping they’ll like me. I can’t recall the last time I was concerned about acceptance.

That’s Kai though. Stable. Dependable. Always there when you need him. But this summer, he’s needed me. To help with his son. To make him let loose. And now, the tables have turned for the first time in our…whatever our situation is.

“Well, aren’t you three the cutest little family we’ve ever seen.”

“They called us cute.” “How dare they.” His head jerks back. “The last word I’d ever use to describe you is ‘cute.’” “Exactly. God, you know me so well.”

“Speaking of marriage and husbands,” Rio begins, starting on his second slice of pie. “Miller, are you looking for one?” “No, she’s not,” Kai quickly declares at my side.

“Aw, Rio,” Indy coos. “I love you.” “Thanks, Ind. At least somebody does.” “So do I,” Stevie pipes up. “I love you too, man,” Zanders adds from the head of the table. Rio looks right to Ryan. “And Ryan, what about you?” Ryan glances around the table, pretending to have missed the entire conversation. “What are we talking about?”

“Thank you for coming. I think this is my favorite family dinner yet.” “Oh, yeah?” “Yeah. Mostly because of the pie.” I give him a gentle swat on the upper arm. “And because of the girl who made it.”

Please don’t do drugs in our bathroom, is hung proudly on display. It’s so out of place in this dark and moody restroom. I love it.

“You smell nice. Sweet, ironically.” “How is that ironic?” I chuckle. “I bake for a living.” “Because you like to pretend as if you’re all spice.”

“These fucking legs, Mills.”

“Today was a good day.” It really was. Simple and good. Turning, I look at him, our lips almost brushing. “They can all be good days.”

You didn’t even say good night.

“I think I hate you again.” He simply wears a proud smile. I charge right past him toward the guest room. “I know what you’re doing, Kai. Dinner with your friends, moving me into your house.” “I’m not doing anything. It was dinner, a meal you eat every day. And big surprise, I don’t like you sleeping outside. That’s all entirely casual and rational stuff. If you’re overthinking it, then that sounds like a you problem.”

“I didn’t want you locked out of the house in case you needed…something. I haven’t locked it since the first night you stayed out there.”