Chapter 171

Alexi bounces her on his hip and then lifts her little ragdoll in her hand to wave at her while he talks. Homed in on his conversation but expertly distracting the little one. He bounces her until she giggles, then he kisses the little chubby cheek of a child who looks no more than three years old. It was so automatic I don’t even think he realised he did it. I find it alarming that he seems too comfortable and at ease with little people. I try to stop openly staring, but I can’t. Nausea is swirling inside me in disturbing ways, and my stomach drops to my feet, taking my good mood and sanity.

He just looks so… paternal.

“Cam?” his voice snaps me out of my weird hazy daydream, and I realise he is both looking at me and talking to me. A strained expression and a confused tone as to why I’m blankly gawping like an idiot. My face is cold, and I’m sure my blood has drained to leave me white as I sheet.

“What?” I cringe and spin my head around to see what or where I’m me