Annie: "Mia only hit him because he tried to copy me peeling an apple with a paring knife. I wouldn't let him use mine, so he snuck into the kitchen for his own. Next thing you know, he broke a plate."

Mr. Nettleton: "...So his dad gave him a smack, then?"

Annie shrugged, "He didn't want to go home, took off running, and crashed right into me."

Mr. Nettleton: "If he got off easy, that's not good enough! And you? You alright?"

"I'm fine. He's just a kid, running wild-how much damage can he do? Now he doesn't even want me to hug him."

Annie grinned, teasing, "Tell me, Mr. Nettleton, is your kid really that special? I nearly got dragged to the ER tonight, and there wasn't anything wrong with me!"

Mr. Nettleton, as blunt as ever, snorted, "The kid? Nah. It's his mom who's precious."

Annie burst out laughing. “What if we have a daughter? Still think you'll act so tough?"

"Absolutely. If we have a girl, I'll be jealous of Andre for the rest of my life.”

"And what if Andre has a daughter too?"

be jealous of Asher

but she was still

night, Annie drifted off to

like he had direction-a family, a home, someplace

wedding yet, but he'd already bought wedding rings, and insisted Annie wear hers,

showing off his ring finger every chance

off. During video calls, she kept her hand out of sight, worried Conner would start buying her a new

the hook for a few of Annie's

Every time she scolded him, he just

until she forgot what she

night, Conner would call up Andre to swap stories about married

he was giving the

till you're a dad. Wait till Annie stops knocking you around. Wait till your

excited about what's coming," Conner said

been there,

night, Mia curled up next

sweeter-just with more worries

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