He stepped in front of her this time and took her hands in his, his expression serious. “Mads, I know this all comes from your heart, but can you please just let it go?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I just know how much she means to you, and I wish things could be different. But I’ll stop.”

“Thank you.” He draped his arm around her shoulders again, and she felt his relief. “Tell me how your shopping trip with Steph and Sid went.”

They’d gone shopping for gifts for Tank and Leah’s baby. “We had so much fun. You should see all the stuff we bought for the baby.”

“Did you get one of those musical things that hangs over a crib?”

She laughed. “You mean a mobile?”

He squeezed her butt, smiling down at her. What a beautiful sight that was. “Listen here, Miss Skateboard Thing.”

She giggled. “I guess we’re a perfect pair. But no, I didn’t get a mobile. My aunt has dibs on the nursery decor. I got one of those books where you read the story and it records your voice, so the baby can always hear Auntie Mads, and a stuffed rabbit, and the cutest onesies, and…” Her heart sank. “Oh my gosh. I’m rambling on about baby gifts after what we just talked about. I’m so insensitive. I’m sorry.”

“Mads, I asked you, and please don’t do that. Don’t shut down your happiness because of my shitty situation. I want to hear about what you bought for the baby, and I want to hear it with that joy in your voice that brings me so much happiness.”

“Really? It doesn’t upset you?”

“Not at all.”

“Well,” she said sheepishly. “You could send your sister the stuffed rabbit for your niece.”

“Madigan,” he warned.

“I’m letting it go. I promise.”

He hugged her against his side. “I wish I could make things right, but at least I’ve got you, and you make everything else better than right.”

“Even with my big mouth?”

“Maybe even because of your big, sexy, adorably chatty mouth.” He leaned in and kissed her senseless.

Chapter Seventeen

TOBIAS PARKED THE work truck behind the shop on Monday afternoon. They’d gotten as far as they could on the renovations until the rest of their supplies were delivered after lunch. Zeke and Zander had invited him to have pizza with them, but Tobias had something more important he needed to do after swapping the work truck for his motorcycle.