“Vito, this is my niece, Eden. Newly landed in Star Falls from the City of Angels.” Sassy hasn’t released Eden for even a second, and I can’t exactly extend a hand to shake hers, so I nod.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, my words coming out slow as I look her over. I don’t mean to be creepy, but this woman is a fucking knockout. But it hits me all at once that I’m holding her child. Her daughter. Which means a baby daddy or husband can’t be far away. I steel my reactions to her and grin down at the little lady in my arms. “And who’s this?” I ask.

Eden releases herself from her aunt’s choke hold and wipes the last of her tears from her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she says. “You must think I’m a hot mess, just handing my baby to a stranger. This is my daughter, Juniper.”

I drag my eyes away from Eden and grin at her child. “Juniper? What a gorgeous name for a gorgeous little lady. You know my nephew Ethan is about your age, and I’ll bet you two are going to get along great.” I raise my brows at Sassy, hoping she’ll get the hint and take the kiddo so I can get going.

But Sassy is in no real rush to do anything but introduce Eden to absolutely everyone. She drags her niece into the living room, and I follow, keeping hold of Juniper while my mom, sister, Bev, and Carol all make their introductions to Eden.

“Ma,” I say quietly, hoping I can appeal to her maternal instincts. As much as I hate to break up the party, if I’m late to meet the chief after we both agreed to come in on our day off, I can kiss this opportunity goodbye. “Ma, I’ve…”

But just as I’m walking up to my mother, hoping she’ll take the baby from me, Juniper grabs everyone’s attention by ripping out a belch so big that everyone in the room starts cracking up. Everyone but Eden.

“Oh no,” she says, her arms out. She’s moving toward me, her eyes fixed on her daughter as if she knows what’s about to happen.

I’m still laughing in shock at the man-sized belch from the little kid when my shock turns to horror. Little Juniper looks up at me, her little lower lip trembles, and then she projectile vomits all over my dress clothes.

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