Anastasia
I don't know what else to do other than soothe his back. My hand moves gently, up and down Creigh's small shoulders, as though the rhythm alone might calm the storm brewing in his little chest. His sniffles are shallow but sharp, each one tugging at something deep inside me.
And that's exactly how Kyle and Talia come to witness us, me kneeling, a distraught little boy in my arms, and a silence so heavy it clings to my skin.
We'd been separated earlier for the search, but now Alex finally crouches down beside me. His presence is solid and steady, the kind that rearranges the whole room without trying. Creigh stiffens for a heartbeat, then slowly pulls back from me. His tear-streaked face lifts, wide eyes searching for his uncle with a look that makes my chest ache.
Alex's voice is soft, coaxing. "C'mon, buddy. Give Uncle a tight hug."
And just like that, the boy collapses into him. His tiny arms latch around Alex's neck, clinging as if he's anchoring himself to the only safe shore left in the world. Alex gathers him close, standing with practiced ease, and I finally push myself up, brushing invisible dust off my dress. My knees feel weak, though not from crouching too long.
I have never seen a sight more beautiful than that. I always have that weakness whenever I see a man carrying babies, children in particular. It's kind of endearing, but this is even hotter because both of them are angelic. Their genes are out of mind.
Kyle leans in near my ear, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, Creigh has never hugged any woman except his aunt Lilith. Not even his grandma. The only ones he hugs are Lilith and his favorite uncle Alex. And me, on some rare occasions."
I blink at him, surprised, still feeling the warmth of Creigh's tiny frame pressed against me.
Kyle smirks. "So, this is a new surprise. Well done, Ana. I guess you charm everyone. Not that I doubt your capabilities." He tops it with a deliberate wink.
My face flushes before I can stop it, and Talia notices. She rolls her eyes so hard I swear I hear them click. "The only thing you're good at is flirting, Romeo."
"Hey," he shoots back immediately, "don't worry. Even if you were the last woman on earth, I wouldn't be hitting on you. So, you should know."
"Same here," Talia deadpans.
Their banter is ridiculous yet oddly comforting. It pulls the tension out of the air just enough to let me breathe again.
Meanwhile, Alex is too wrapped up in Creigh to even notice, or maybe he notices everything and chooses not to comment. His hand rubs soothing circles against his nephew's back, his face angled toward him, patient and calm. Finally, though, he turns around to face us, his gaze brushing over me with an unreadable weight.
"We should get going," he says simply.
My lip's part before I even think. "I don't think I can return to the party." The thought of reentering that glittering, crowded hall feels impossible.
"Neither can I," Talia adds quickly, folding her arms as if to seal the decision.
Alex nods once, his expression careful. "I am heading home. I should excuse you, then. I'll call my chauffeur to take you home."
Talia and I both speak at the same time.
"That would be awesome," Talia chirps.
"We'll manage on our own," I counter firmly.
Alex blinks at us, caught between our overlapping answers, his brow arched in silence. What just happened?
Heat creeps up my neck. "Um… I mean…that would be awesome," I correct quickly, and before I know it, everyone is laughing.
Even me. I can't help the smile tugging at my lips, reluctant but real.
We wait together until the chauffeur arrives. Alex stands with Creigh in his arms, murmuring to him, while Kyle and Talia exchange another volley of snide remarks that could probably fuel an entire comedy show. When the sleek black car finally pulls up, Alex ensures we're safely inside before stepping back with his nephew still tucked securely against his chest.
"Goodnight," I murmur as the door closes.
He inclines his head, that subtle, controlled gesture of his, and then the car glides away.
The moment we rounded the corner, Talia turned to me, her eyes shone with anticipation and mischievousness. Of course, she likes to gossip and let it go.
"So," she drags the word out, dramatic as always, "are you seriously telling me you're not going to hit that?"
I choke on nothing. "Talia!"
She leans closer, lowering her voice but not her enthusiasm. "Girl, he is too good. Too good. Tall, broody, hot-as-sin boss with a kid clinging to him like he's his whole world? That's the kind of man you don't pass up. You should be all over him. You will thank me later."
I slap my hand over my face. "Please stop."
"Oh no, I'm just getting started." She's practically bouncing in her seat now. "This is the end of your celibacy, Ana. Finally, like, you need to get laid by him. Fireworks should be going off. Because if you let this one slip away, I swear I will personally hunt you down."
"He is my boss!" I snap, louder than intended. "B.O.S.S. Talia, do you get it?"
She leans back, grinning like she's already won the argument. "Oh! Come on, Darling, I heard what you said. I just don't care. Get him. This is a real manifestation. I am rooting for the two of you."
I groan, turning to stare out the window, watching the city lights blur by. The car hums quietly, cocooning us in leather and luxury, but my thoughts are anything but calm.
Alex's face keeps replaying in my mind, the softness in his tone when he spoke to Creigh, the strength in his arms as he lifted him, the quiet look he gave me as if I'd done something extraordinary just by being there.
And worse than that, far worse…is the way my chest still feels warm from Creigh's hug.
By the time the car pulls up in front of my apartment, Talia and I are still arguing, her relentless matchmaking against my increasingly desperate protests. We step out onto the curb mid-bicker, the chauffeur politely pretending not to hear.
But as I climb the steps to my building, Talia's words linger louder than I'd like, because part of me knows she's wrong, and another part, deep down where I can't silence it, wonders if maybe she isn't.
Goodness, this is so wrong, Ana. You shouldn't think like that.