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“Wouldn’t happen to have a beer, would you?” Malik asks as he tosses his hoodie on the counter

“I e to retrieve one I twist the cap off, toss it in the garbage, and hand it over He takes a long swig before setting the bottle near his sweatshirt

He opens the door of the dishwasher, then commences to work on it

I watch for a while, asking a few questions, but he has no answers for me After he re the drain, I decide to go ahead and drink the chocolateearlier While I’d love a beer, too, I don’t drink if there’s a chance I’ll have to feed Avery within a few hours Given she’s hungry often, it’s not worth the risk

As I’ taken a decent a fros out from her bedroom

“A mother’s job is never done,” I quip, then tell Malik, “There’s e Also sory Feel free to help yourself”

“Got it,” he grunts as he works to unscrew so in the bottom of the machine

Leaving Malik to his repair job, I go into the little nursery I’d set up and decoratedover the crib “Who’s a hungry little princess?” I coo

Avery answers

“Patience,” I re under le when she cries, a response that took so used to as a new mom

I pick Avery up and carry her to the rocking chair in the corner, slowly lowering down into it I’ve beco, and so has Avery Her cries cease as she recognizes the movement—the way I shift, lift up my t-shirt on one side, and put her into position She easily finds my nipple, tiny palms pressed to my skin, and starts to suckle

Leaning ently rock her as I huood baby This will be her last feeding tonight She’s actually starting to sleep for reatly appreciates

A shadow passes across the doorway, and I lift up to see Malik there

“Oh, shit,” he says abruptly, spinning to give me his back “Sorry… I didn’t know you’d be… um…”

I chuckle, glancing down at Avery There’s very little of liot when he walked in

“It’s okay, Malik,” I say on a laugh “I’hter Not a big deal”