The baby project~~

8.

Nova's POV

The morning after we drop the kids off at daycare, my phone buzzes with a text. It's from one of Liam's friend's moms, inviting us to Jackson's birthday party tomorrow.

"Looks like we're invited to Jackson's birthday party tomorrow," I tell Ace as I look over the details.

"Who's Jackson?" he asks, eyebrow raised with mild interest.

"Liam's friend from kindergarten. The party is at 3 PM tomorrow."

Ace leans back against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed. "Great. A party with five-year-olds running around. Should be a blast."

I roll my eyes, smiling. "We need to get a gift. Wanna head to Target with me?"

He shrugs, pushing himself off the counter. "Might as well. Let's go before we pick the kids up."

At Target

We walk into Target, and the familiar sight of red and white aisles greet us. I grab a cart, and Ace lazily takes over pushing it, his long strides easily keeping pace with me.

"We need something thoughtful for the gift," I say, turning toward the toy section. "Not just something flashy."

"Thoughtful? For a five-year-old?" Ace raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed as we pass through the aisles filled with toys. "He's not gonna care as long as it's something loud or breaks stuff."

I roll my eyes. "Ace, come on, we can't just grab the first thing we see."

As I start scanning the shelves, Ace veers off and grabs the biggest, noisiest truck he can find. "This'll do," he says, tossing it into the cart with a smirk.

I look at the obnoxiously loud toy truck and shake my head. "Seriously? You'd rather be the reason his mom hates us for giving him a toy that makes constant noise?"

"Yeah, I'm fine with that," he says with a shrug, leaning on the cart handle, his smirk never fading. "You worry too much. Let the kid have fun."

Ignoring him, I walk further down the aisle, searching for something more suitable. My fingers brush over a LEGO set, and I hold it up for him to see. "This. It's creative, and it'll keep him busy."

Ace steps closer, his eyes dropping to the LEGO set and then back to me. "You think this is better?" His voice is low, and I can feel his presence behind me, too close for comfort.

"Yeah, it's better," I say, trying to stay focused, but his proximity is making it hard.

He reaches around me, his hand brushing mine as he takes the box. "Hmm," he murmurs, inspecting it, "if you say so." His tone is teasing, but his fingers linger on mine just a bit longer than necessary.

I pull my hand back and step away, trying to shake off the effect he has on me. "Can you stop being such an ass for once?" I mutter.

Ace smirks, tossing the LEGO set into the cart. "Where's the fun in that, sweetheart?"

"Fun for you, maybe," I huff, but I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips.

As we head toward the checkout, Ace's hand keeps finding small ways to touch me—his fingers grazing my lower back, his arm brushing mine. Every time, it sends an electric shiver up my spine.

When we pass by the electronics section, Ace stops, pointing toward a giant flat-screen TV. "We should get one of these," he says, half-joking. "That tiny TV we've got sucks."

I snort. "Yeah, okay. You buying?"

He shrugs, leaning closer so his lips are just inches from my ear. "Maybe. Depends on how nicely you ask."