26. Nate

Iused to be cool—the type to run with a rough crowd, down shots on a Friday night, take home an anonymous woman, and never call her after we'd fucked. Now, I was practically Mr. Mom, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

The early spring sun beamed down on the school grounds, casting a warm glow over the bustling elementary school bake sale. Tables adorned with an array of treats lined the pathway, and the air was filled with the enticing aroma of freshly baked goods. Carly and I were stationed at our table, our display of gourmet treats standing out among the sea of homemade cookies and cupcakes.

"Look at us, Carly," I said, a grin spreading across my face as I surveyed our setup. "We"re practically professional bakers now."

Carly chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Thanks to you, Nate. These treats look amazing. Ella"s going to be thrilled."

I felt a swell of pride at her words. Ella"s happiness meant everything to me, and I had spent hours perfecting the decorations on the ladybug cupcakes she had requested for the bake sale. I wasn't much of a cake decorator, but they turned out pretty damn cute. The memory of Ella excitedly hugging me when I showed her the finished treats warmed my heart.

"It was my pleasure," I replied, my tone sincere. "Anything for Ella."

Carly"s smile widened, and she reached out to squeeze my hand. "I"m so grateful for all of your help, Nate. These treats are going to fly off the table."

As the morning progressed, Carly and I fell into a comfortable rhythm, bantering and cooperating like a well-oiled machine. She manned the cash box while I arranged the treats on display, the occasional brush of our hands sending a shiver of electricity through me.

"Are you trying to flirt with me, Nate?" Carly teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she handed a customer their change.

I chuckled, a flush rising to my cheeks. "Maybe a little," I admitted, unable to resist the opportunity to flirt shamelessly with the woman I had been in love with for years.

Carly laughed, her musical laughter filling the air. "Well, consider me thoroughly flirted with," she replied, her smile softening into something tender.

The moment between us was interrupted by the arrival of a group of parents from Ella"s class, their eyes lighting up at the sight of our gourmet treats.

"Wow, these look amazing!" one of the parents exclaimed, reaching for a ladybug cupcake with admiration.

"They"re almost too good to eat," another parent added, nodding in agreement.

I couldn"t help but swell with pride at the praise, my chest puffing out slightly. It was moments like these that made all the hard work worth it.

"And who"s this handsome gentleman?" one of the parents asked, glancing at me with a knowing smile. "Ella"s father?"

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, I was frozen, my heart pounding in my chest. The idea of being Ella"s father filled me with a sense of longing and joy unlike anything I had ever experienced.

But then reality came crashing down around me, and I forced a smile, shaking my head gently. "Oh, no, I"m just a friend of Carly"s," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

The parent nodded in understanding and a little embarrassment, but I waved it off. Still, I couldn"t shake the feeling of disappointment that settled in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to be more than just a friend to Carly and Ella. I wanted to be a part of their family, to build a future together with the two people I loved more than anything in the world. Not that I wanted to step on Bennett's toes, since he was Ella's biological father and was doing an incredible job at it despite having a later start than he would have liked. I just wanted to be another person who was there for these incredible Sanders girls.

And then it hit me. I knew exactly how to show Carly that I wanted more than friendship, more than sex, more. I took my phone out of my pocket and discreetly shot a text to both of my brothers, scheming for the good of us all.

Carly wouldn"t know what hit her.