LOGINNicoleI stood outside his bedroom door longer than I should have, my hand hovering over the wood like the slightest touch would shatter something fragile on the other side. A part of me wanted to knock, to ask if he was okay, to step in and make whatever was wrong just a little easier. But another part of me, the more anxious part, kept whispering that I was the reason he had shut down in the first place.He had barely spoken the night before, not even when I tried to ask if he needed anything. He had simply nodded, retreated into his room, and closed the door. The soft click of the latch had felt final, like a barrier I shouldn’t cross. So I didn’t. I spent half the night trying to convince myself that giving him space was the right thing to do. Maybe he needed room to breathe. Maybe he needed quiet. Maybe… maybe he needed distance from me.By morning, I had made up my mind to talk to him, really talk and stop dancing around the tension that had been building all week. Leah had rush
Nicole My mouth parted slightly, shock rippling through me as his words landed. I was still holding a napkin, when Zach casually dropped that sentence into the room like it was nothing. The girls burst into giggles, of course they did , because to them anything involving babies, or the word “kids,” was instantly hilarious. Jack laughed too, shaking his head like he’d just walked into a sitcom. But Leah? Leah turned to Zach so sharply I swear I heard the air slice. “Oh?” she said slowly, eyebrows climbing. “You asked her that?” Her tone was laced with annoyance. I could feel my face heating up again. Why was I the only person in this house permanently embarrassed? Why was my emotional stability suddenly a family project? Zach didn’t even show an ounce of remorse for his comment. If anything, he looked carefree and very amused. “It was a joke.” A joke. Real funny. I stared at the napkin like it was the most interesting thing on earth. If it could’ve grown legs and
Nicole The hot water pounded against my shoulders, steam curling around me like a cocoon, but it didn’t wash away the thoughts that kept replaying in my mind. Zach. Kids. The words had slipped from his lips so casually, and yet, they had struck me like a bolt of lightning. Why does everything have to be so complicated? I came here to clear my head, and recover from what happened with Kayden, but here I was getting entangled into even more drama. It was almost as if I had a knack for these things. I leaned my forehead against the cool tile, trying to steady my racing heart. I could still feel the warmth of his teasing smirk, the intensity in his eyes as he asked if I wanted kids. I’d frozen. Completely. Utterly. Staring at him as if he’d just asked me to climb Everest naked. He had asked to join me in the shower afterward, and though part of me had wanted to say yes, I had politely declined. I needed space, time to breathe, to think. Was this just another one of his teas
Zach The house was quiet, well, as quiet as it could be with Leah and Jack’s two little whirlwinds around. I glanced at Nicole, who was perched on the edge of the bed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. The kids had finally dozed off in the living room after a chaotic evening of bedtime stories, giggles, and not-so-gentle wrestling matches. The itinerary were the same for each day, wake up, spend half an hour trying to wake the kids, get them to do something as simple as brushing their teeth, get them to bath and the most important part, serve them breakfast. Did I mention how spoiled these kids were? I mean I did contribute to that, but being the stand-in dad was completely different from being the fun uncle. I finally understood why Leah often reprimanded me for being too liberal with the girls. At the mention of Uncle Zach, I’m racing through the thickest glass doors to indulge in whatever mischief they may have up their sleeves. Some days, I even play the
Zach "Or we could do this right here," I whispered into her ear, my voice low and full of desire. Without waiting for a response, I slid my arms around her and lifted her effortlessly, pinning her down on the plush sofa beneath us. Nicole let out a little gasp, her fingers gripping my shoulders as her eyes met mine. The glow of the nearby lamp cast a warm light over her face, highlighting the way her lips parted slightly like she was already imagining what was coming next. I leaned in, trailing soft, slow kisses along her jawline, letting my lips brush over her skin just enough to make her shiver. She whimpered, tilting her head back to give me better access. "Zach..." Her voice was already breathless, needy. "Yeah?" I murmured against her throat, letting my hands slide down her sides, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric of her shirt. "Don't tease," she whined, her nails digging into my back. I chuckled against her skin, but I didn't stop. Instead, I
Zach It wasn’t long until we managed to let the kids wear themselves out and finally go to bed. Honestly, I’d never been more grateful for their bedtime in my life. Between the endless rounds of hide-and-seek and their wild energy, I felt like I’d run a marathon. Nicole stood by the door, arms crossed, watching the kids with a soft smile. There was something about the way she looked at them, gentle, warm. She caught my gaze, and I quickly looked away, clearing my throat as I stepped out of the room and into the hallway. “Who knew getting these two to bed could be such a workout?” Nicole whispered as she closed the door quietly behind her. “Tell me about it.” I chuckled softly, running a hand through my hair. Nicole grinned, nudging me lightly with her elbow as we made our way to the living room. I nodded absentmindedly, sinking into the couch. Nicole sat down beside me, curling her legs underneath her. I should’ve been relaxed, relieved, even, but my mind kept drifti







