And then, the most beautiful sound leaves her little lips. “Mama-mama-mama-mama!”
My eyes widen as I meet Kirby’s stunned ones. “Did she just say what I think she said?” he asks, and I look down at Celeste as she giggles sweetly, repeating the sound once more as she taps my cheeks.
“Mama-mama-mama-mama.”
I shake my head, unable to grasp what she is saying. It’s silly. She’s a baby; she doesn’t know what that means. “I hear ‘Mama,’ but she’s just making noises, right?”
Kirby shifts, his eyes burning into mine. “Or she knows who loves her and who she loves.”
Once more, my eyes get itchy with tears. “Is that okay?”
His gaze doesn’t leave mine. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“What about Lilly?”
His eyes are dark. “Is she here? Is she loving on Celeste right now?”
I gaze back at Celeste, and she gives me a gummy grin before openmouth kissing my chin. I want to believe her little babble to be true, and that catches me off guard. My mom was right; this is an instant family, and I want it. I crave it. I hold her close. “Are you saying mama, my sweet baby girl?”
“Mama-mama-mama-mama!”
We both laugh as Celeste giggles and then squeals happily. I hug her tight, kissing her. And as easy as it is to breathe, I tell her, “I love you so much, baby girl.”
She nuzzles in close to me, and when I look at Kirby, his eyes are shining with love. He then pulls me toward him since my chair has wheels. He kisses me, hard, and I feel like I’m falling at speeds unknown. As we part, he strokes his fingers along my throat, and I gaze at him, overwhelmed with love. I never thought in my wildest dreams that Celeste would say that to me or that it would be that easy to tell her I love her. My eyes are glossy as I gaze into his. The words are right there. I feel them everywhere. But then, I hear a voice.
“Sorry to interrupt. I didn’t realize you were still here.”
I look toward the door where Feliciana is standing, and my heart tries to force its way out of my chest. Kirby sits back, smiling politely at Feliciana, and she looks between us.
I clear my throat as Celeste reaches for more potatoes. “Hey, I was working late, and then my boyfriend surprised me with dinner.” I hold my hand out to Kirby. “Kirby, this is my boss, Feliciana.”
Kirby grins at me as he stands, holding out his hand to Feliciana. “Kirby Litman. It’s nice to meet you.”
Feliciana takes his hand, shaking it slowly as she gives him a wide grin. I can see she’s putting two and two together and knows my truth. Knows what I was trying to hide. But instead of saying anything, she replies, “It’s wonderful to meet you. I have to say, good job on locking her down. She’s my favorite workaholic.”
“That she is. But I call it driven.”
She grins. “I love that. I like him,” she says to me, but I’m freaking the hell out.
I clear my throat. “I thought you were heading home after dinner?”
She nods. “I was going to, but I need to grab something. Then I saw you guys in here and thought I’d come say hello,” she says, grinning at Celeste. “Is this your daughter, Kirby?”
Kirby smiles proudly. “Yup. This is Celeste.”
“She’s adorable,” Feliciana says sweetly.
Kirby looks over at me. “We think so.”
My heart. Shit. I feel a fluttery feeling, but then my gaze meets Feliciana’s. She has a smile on her face, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I hate to interrupt, but can I speak to you in my office, Jaylin?”
I almost say no, but I know that would be rude and disrespectful. I nod as I stand, handing off Celeste to Kirby. “I’ll be right back.”
“Of course,” he says, though his eyes are full of concern. I know he is worried, so I squeeze his shoulder as I walk past him to reassure him I’m fine.
Even if I’m not sure I am.
I follow Feliciana toward her office in silence, and I know this is about to go bad. I enter her office, and she closes the door behind us. “I assume that is the Kirby Litman who is in a custody battle with his ex for that sweet little girl?”
I swallow as I cross my arms over my chest. “It is.”
“How long has this been going on?”
I pause, gathering my words. “I met him over a year ago, but his ex popped up pregnant, so we couldn’t pursue what we wanted back then. We linked back up when our office was recommended to him for representation, and we have been together ever since.”
She sits down in her chair, crossing her legs as she nods. “We have a policy against getting involved with clients.”
“Since he isn’t my client, I didn’t think it would be an issue or that I’d be breaking policy.”
Her eyes hold mine. “I get the sense you wouldn’t care if you were breaking policy, because you want to be with him and no one can say otherwise.”
I blink. “He means a great deal to me, as does his daughter.” She nods, and for some reason, I say, “I feel like my whole life fell in line the moment he came into it.”
Feliciana’s lips pull up at the side, but she doesn’t smile. “How does Willa feel about it?”
“She’s upset that I’m dating him since she worries it might jeopardize her case, but I don’t think that will happen.”
“I don’t see how it would. His ex has a boyfriend and, by all accounts, is a piece of shit. He’s a good man, with a smart, successful, and gorgeous woman by his side who obviously loves his child and him.”
I smile softly. “I feel the same.”
“No one can question that he’s smitten with you. It’s all over his face.” I don’t know what to say, and after studying me for a moment, she says, “You’re scared?”
“Petrified.”
She laughs. “Don’t fight it, my love. I can see it’s real.”
“I feel the same, but there is always fear with giving yourself to someone like this. It could crumble into a billion pieces.”
“Absolutely. Especially when there is a baby mama in play, which hopefully won’t be an issue much longer.”
“I hope not. She doesn’t deserve them.”
“She doesn’t,” she agrees as her lips turn up. I want to ask about dinner, but I know it’s not my place. Nor do I think she’ll tell me now that she knows Kirby and I are together. “You look so happy, Jaylin.”
“I am,” I admit on an exhale. “Celeste just said ‘Mama,’ and I know she’s probably only making noises, but it made me feel unbelievably loved.”
Feliciana beams at me. “I’m so very happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You’re correct that your relationship is not explicitly against our firm’s policies. He isn’t your client, but let me know if Willa gives you any trouble. You know I don’t tolerate that kind of conflict between attorneys.”
I swallow back the emotion threatening to suffocate me and nod. “Everything is fine.”
“Good. Now get back to dinner with your boyfriend.”
We share a long smile before I turn and head out of her office. There is a little pep in my step as I head into the conference room, where Kirby sits with Celeste in his lap. Once Celeste sees me, she babbles, “mama-mama.” I can’t describe the feeling it gives me.