“Okay, I can talk now,” I tell Kallie.

“Is the baby sleeping?” she asks.

I shake my head, then remember she can’t see me. “No, Lulu’s boyfriend is here. Zak is giving him some time with Kadyn.”

“Oh, that’s nice of him, but it must be awkward,” Kallie says, but moves on quickly. “So, I’ve got some clothes for while Kadyn’s at the hospital. But I wasn’t sure how long she’s going to be in there and when I Googled it, it said it could be anywhere from one to five days depending on the delivery and the baby itself.”

“Uh-ha,” I say. I honestly have no idea how many outfits she’s going to need. Or how long she’ll have to stay here. I didn’t even think to ask anyone about it.

“Anyway, I talked to the lady at the baby boutique and she said they can go through like five changes of clothes some days because they spew on themselves and other disgusting stuff. I did try to call my cousin Ash, seeing as she just had one and all but I couldn’t get hold of her. So, I winged it,” she continues.

I frown. “That’s a lot of clothes.” I mutter, “I don’t even go through that many changes and I’m messy.”

Kallie snorts, “I know, right? Babies are quite the little fashionistas,” she jokes. “Back to her clothes. I’ve got twenty outfits for the hospital, if she needs more, we can buy some or do a load of washing or something.”

My eyes widen again. Twenty outfits? Christ, surly that’s too many. “Are you sure you didn’t go overboard?”

“No,” she sounds offended. “I Googled everything. This is all stuff she’s going to need. I already stopped by home and washed the ones for the hospital, because Google also said you have to wash everything before they can wear it. It’s just finished in the dryer so I’m heading back now, I just wanted to check if you need anything?”

I smile, I love Kallie so much. She’s always thinking of others’ needs, especially mine. “If you could drop in and grab me a change of clothes like some yoga pants and a comfy shirt or something that’d be good. There’s a shower in the little bathroom attached to Kadyn’s room so I’ll clean up in there at some point, and fresh underwear would be great.”

“Okay, I’m on it. I’ll see you in about an hour,” Kallie says before blowing kisses through the phone.

Remembering Junie, I add, “Wait! Can you stop by Zak’s house and feed Junie, please?” Silence follows my request. “Kallie?”

“No, you know how I feel about cats Ellie,” she retorts with disgust. “But I will get Michael to do it. He’s helping set up the baby’s furniture at Zak’s now, I’ll call him,” she says.

I snort in amusement. “Yeah, okay. Thanks.” I return her air kisses then hang up.

Pushing my way back into Kadyn’s room, I can feel the change in atmosphere instantly. Hostility hangs thick in the air, and I eye the three men, all standing, facing off. “What’d I miss?” I ask, intentionally keeping my tone upbeat, hoping to break some of the tension. It doesn’t work.

Abe is holding Kadyn, and while it’s clear he’s backing up Zak, he keeps her tilted away from the confrontation while she sleeps. I move forward, standing between Zak and Paco. “Zak,” I say firmly, “What’s going on?”

His jaw works back and forth, eyes boring into Paco’s head. “He thinks he’s staying in here the night. That. Is. Not. Happening.”

I frown, having no idea how to handle this. Until Kadyn’s paternity is proven, these two are going to be at each other’s throats. Looking to Abe for help, he simply shakes his head and takes a step back, cutting himself out of the conversation. I know what needs to happen, but neither of them is going to like it.

Licking my lips, I press my palms to Zak’s chest. “He has a right to be here, just as much as you do right now.”

Zak’s eyes flare. “What?”

Steeling my spine, I press forward, “Until that test gets back confirming Kadyn’s paternity, you either both need to leave.” I pause watching Zak’s expression solidify. “Or put your differences aside for the next twenty-four hours. Stop measuring your dicks and keep your shit together. Because that baby girl has already been through enough in her short life. She doesn’t need to be in a room full of tension and hostility.”

Zak’s eyes drop to the floor as he lowers his head. Turning away from me he runs both his hands through his thick hair. What feels like hours later he finally turns his head and says, “You’re right.” Then he lifts his gaze pass me to Paco, swallowing hard he murmurs, “Sorry, you should stay.”

Relaxing for the first time since I entered the room, I face Paco. “We good now?” I ask him, he nods once and I smile, “Good.” Taking a step back, my eyes cast back and forth between them. “Keep your dicks in your pants or I’ll kick you both out. I don’t care who her biological father is, I won’t hesitate. I’ll call the boys in. Abe is on Kadyn’s side not yours,” I stare at Zak as I say it, “He’ll do what’s best for her.”

“She’s right,” Abe’s deep voice finally joins the conversation.

“Okay,” Paco says. “As long as he’s in the room, so am I.”

“Shake on it,” I demand. I know they don’t want to touch each other, I know I’m pushing my luck. But in my mind, making them shake is the equivalent to the friendship shirt my mother used to make us wear when I was growing up. Whenever I’d get into a fight with one of my siblings, Mumma would make us both put the shirt on. It forced us to share the space even though we wanted to choke each other.

Zak is the first to offer his hand. I glare at Paco, “It’s this, or I make you squeeze inside Zak’s t-shirt with him.”

Both Zak and Paco balk. A chorus of, ‘What the fuck?’ and, ‘bitch, you’re crazy!’ come from them, while Abe laughs his ass off.

I raise a brow, “So shake!” They comply without hesitation. I smile, I can totally do this mothering thing, I just put two thirty-something men in their place. I’m feeling pretty damn pleased with myself.

Half hour later, Kallie bursts through the door, loaded down with so many bags Abe rushes to help her. “What is all this shit?” he asks, while taking the bulk of it from her.

“The essentials,” she says, breathing hard. “I should have called you to come help me when I parked, I didn’t realise how much there was until I was trying to carry it all up here.”

Zak chuckles softly, “You really think all that is just essentials?”

Kallie glares at him. “Google said so.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you people?” Paco says from the other side of the room, and all heads swing to him. “What? Look how big she is, she doesn’t need all that shit.”

Kallie bristles, “You must be the boyfriend,” she says in her chilly socialite voice. The one that had her branded The Ice Queen of the Elite.

Paco scowls, “Yeah, that’s me, who are you, bitch?”

Abe protectively steps in front of Kallie. “I wouldn’t call her that if you want to keep your knee caps,” he retorts.

Rolling my eyes over all the testosterone in the room, I snap, “Cut it out, be nice, or leave.” I look directly at Paco when I speak. He says nothing, just turns his attention to the window and carries on ignoring us.

Checking the clock on the wall, I note that it’s almost time for Kadyn’s next feed. The nurse showed me how to make her bottle so I excuse myself, “I’m going to make her a fresh bottle, she’ll be wanting another one soon.” I catch site of Zak smiling warmly at me as I leave the room.