Raellyn’s voice brimmed with playful mischief as she returned to browsing, her excitement undimmed. Every tiny outfit seemed to spark a new wave of delight in her chest, while Arnav stood stiffly beside her, a fortress of awkwardness. What Raellyn didn’t realize was that Arnav’s unease ran deeper than simple embarrassment. He hated being the focus of attention for women who reminded him consciously or not of the maternal presence he’d learned to mistrust. Childhood scars had left subtle cracks in his confidence in moments like these, though he’d never admit it aloud.
“Hey,” Raellyn’s voice jolted him from his thoughts, warm and insistent, “stop spacing out. Come on, help me pick out these adorable clothes.”
“You do it,” he said, glancing down at the pile of folded baby outfits as though
