Assured (Soul Serenade #2)(19)

I’m sitting on Kacen’s front steps, waiting for Kyle to drop Mia off, when Stacy pulls up. I’ve left her alone these last few days. I know she was trying to make her decision, and me and my cock needed to stay out of that equation. She needed to make the best choice for her, and then I would pick up my game. Logan informed us that she called and asked if she could come over to give us her decision. Now, here she is.

“Do you ever go home?” she asks as she climbs the steps.

I pat the concrete beside me, inviting her to sit. To my surprise, she does. “I go home, but Kacen has a studio here, and we’re rehearsing for the tour,” I remind her.

“Right. So, what are you doing sitting out her all by yourself?”

“Waiting on my niece. My brother-in-law surprised my sister with a weekend away, and I get to watch the munchkin.”

Her mouth falls open as she stares at me.

“What?”

“You babysit? How old is she?”

“Yes, I babysit. I’m a kick-ass uncle, thank you very much. Mia’s four.”

“You continue to surprise me, Cole Hampton.”

I can tell she’s having a hard time seeing me as a caretaker for a four-year-old little girl. “I’m more than a pretty face with hands that were made to caress the strings of a guitar.” I wink then stand when I see Kyle’s truck pass the gates. Stacy sits quietly on the steps, taking it all in.

“Unca Cowe!” Mia’s little feet fly across the driveway. I bend down just in time to catch her. “My daddy says I get to stay wif you. Hims is takin Mommy on a date.” She grins.

I kiss the top of her head—she’s too f*cking cute. “I know, and that means you and I get to have a sleepover all weekend.”

“Yay! Are the boys here?” she asks. I chuckle at her calling my bandmates “boys.”

“Yeah, they’re here. We’re going to hang out for a little bit and then we can go to my place.”

“Here’s her bag. Thanks, man,” Kyle says, setting the pink princess bag at my feet.

“No problem, my man. Enjoy your weekend.”

“Oh, I plan to. Mia needs a baby brother.” He smirks.

“Yes!” Mia exclaims. Suddenly, she notices Stacy sitting on the step. “Who are you?” she asks.

Stacy stands. “I’m a friend of the boys and Logan.”

“Logan! Is she here, Unca Cowe? She always pways wif me.”

“Logan lives here now, so yes, she’s here.”

“Yay! Bye, Daddy.” She leans over and kisses her dad on the cheek.

Kyle just chuckles at his daughter. “Be good, princess. I love you.”

“Bye, Daddy.” Mia smiles and waves.

“All right, little miss, let’s get you inside. Have you had dinner?” I ask her.

“Nope, but Daddy let me have some cookies.” She didn’t need to tell me, as she’s still wearing the evidence.

“Let me guess.” I tap my finger against my chin. “Chocolate chip?”

Mia gasps. “How did you know?” Her eyes are wide with wonder.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mia. I’m Stacy.” She holds her hand out. Mia mimics her and they shake hands.

“Can we be fwiends?”

Stacy beams at her, and I have to think about anything but her. It’s awkward for your cock to get hard when you’re holding your four-year-old niece.

“I would love that, Princess Mia.”

Stacy reaches down and grabs her bag; I nod my thanks and pull open the door. I motion with my head for Stacy to go in. “Ladies first,” I tell her.

“‘Cause wadies are pwincesses,” Mia adds. I love this little girl.

I catch the grin Stacy is wearing as she slides in front of me and into the house. As soon as I cross the threshold, Mia is squirming to get down. Once her feet hit the floor, she’s making a mad dash for the living room.

“She’s something else,” Stacy says.

“That she is.” I grab her hand and pull her with me into the living room. We get there just in time to watch Kacen intercept Mia before she launches herself at Logan.

“Kacen!” Mia giggles as he tickles her.

Once she settles down, Kacen carries her to the couch and sits next to Logan. “I have a secret,” he says in a quiet voice.

Mia blinks and nods, hanging on his every word.

“Logan and I got married. Did you know that?”

Mia nods that yes, she did know.

“Well, now that we’re married, we get to have a baby.” He points to Logan’s belly.

Mia’s eyes, still wide, stare at Logan’s belly for the longest time. Then she raises her head, her gaze locked on Logan’s. “You have a baby in there?” she whispers.

“I do.” Logan is so f*cking happy it radiates from her and Kacen both.

“Wow. I need to tell my mommy and daddy. Daddy said I need a wittle bwother.”

Kacen turns his head, burying his face in his shoulder to keep from laughing.

Mia turns to me. “Unca Cowe, you need to get mawied.”

I grin. “I do?”

She nods. “Uh-huh.

“Why’s that?”

“‘Cause we need more babies.” Her expression tells me that, to her, this is not a joking matter.