Page 43 of Trials of a One Night Stand
Nodding, I touch my stomach. “I hope I’m not being selfish for wanting to have this baby.”
“Not selfish at all.” Lottie shimmies her shoulders. “You’ll be the best mommy. I know we’re cousins, but can I be a surrogate auntie?”
“Of course, Aunt Lottie.” The weight I’ve been carrying on my shoulders lessens, and I’m breathing easier. I knew talking to her would help. “I’m scared.”
“Of course, you are, but it’ll be okay. Not easy, but okay. I’m here. Whatever you need. Okay?”
“Okay.” I just wonder what Nathaniel will think about this.
Nate
I sit at the island in my brother’s kitchen while Ashton helps Chloe put the girls to bed. I gave them hugs and kisses before Harlowe hopped upstairs, pretending to be a bunny rabbit. Willow isn’t even crawling yet, but she’s growing so fast. I can’t help but think of the baby Jayne’s carrying from zygote to blastocyst to embryo to fetus to baby. Based on my calculations, we’re at the embryo stage. I hope she’ll let me attend the first appointment. They’ll probably do a pelvic ultrasound if it’s like what Chloe had with her pregnancies.
Something flies toward me off the top of the kitchen cabinets and lands on my shoulder. Tiny claws cling to my shirt. “I’ve missed you too, Buttercup.”
The sugar glider moves toward my head.
“I thought you’d be upstairs with the girls.”
Buttercup cuddles against my neck, which means she’s ready for a nap. She used to belong to Roddy, but sugar gliders aren’t allowed in Hawaii. Besides, she fell in love with Ashton and vice versa, so my brother wasn’t letting the little rodent—excuse me, marsupial—go anywhere.
“I’m going to be a good father, right?”
She doesn’t say anything, so I’ll take it as a yes.
As Buttercup sleeps against me, I stare at the crayon and finger-painted drawings hanging on the fridge. It looks like Harlowe has more talent than Dicky, Roddy’s first and dead husband. This house was the last place I expected to be tonight, but I didn’t know where else to go. Jayne is off visiting her cousin, and I couldn’t sit alone in my big, quiet house. Not when a part of me thinks she went to see Lottie to get away from me.
My scalp itches. Hell, my whole body feels weird. But scratching only seems to make it worse.
I feel so out of control right now, and I hate it. I could barely walk away from the conference room this morning, but I forced myself to give Jayne space. I may have left a voice message—or several—while she finished up the depositions since I knew she would never answer her cell phone while questioning Max and Bradley.
When I brought up her moving to a safer neighborhood, Jayne wasn’t interested, but I’m working on changing her mind. Eventually, she’ll understand I wouldn’t have gotten where I am in business without knowing the right things to do. Granted, I might’ve pushed Sam and Hildy Grant a bit too far, but I’ve learned my lesson trying to play matchmaker.
This is different.
Oh so different.
This is about the safety of her and our unborn child.
Little footsteps sound overhead, and I smile. Harlowe must want to sleep in the nursery with Willow. She doesn’t like to leave her baby sister alone. I was the same way with Ashton when we were younger, but we’re even closer now as adults.
That’s why I’m here tonight.
The last time I dropped by unexpectedly was after Lara told me she was accepting the promotion in London. For a hot nanosecond, I almost told her I’d go with her. Then common sense reared its ugly head and made me realize that would be stupid. So I figure I ought to at least talk to someone about what’s going on with Jayne before I try to make another rash decision. Right now, all I want to do is buy an expensive engagement ring, drop down on one knee, and propose.
Anything to make sure I don’t lose Jayne.
And it’s not only because she’s pregnant with my baby. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since our one-night stand. After the preliminary hearing, I knew I hadn’t exaggerated how I felt about her. And now…
Hell, if it would make things easier, I might even consider settling with Sugar Valley Drugs except that Zentello has done nothing wrong, and that will set the wrong precedent.
I shake my head, knowing I need to think before I act.
Ashton will give me good advice. The only person I trust as much—maybe even more—is Zelda, but I’m not ready to discuss Jayne and our baby with my ex-wife and current business partner. She’s too busy working, loving Jack, and planning their wedding, anyway. My relationship drama is the last thing she needs.
Ashton enters the kitchen. We’re both tall like our parents, but he’s got deep brown hair like Dad, whereas I’m nearly blond like Mom. Still, his broad shoulders make him appear bigger and more intimidating. If some women have a resting bitch face, Ashton has a resting growly face. Thanks to Chloe and the girls, he might not be stuck with frown lines now that he smiles more.
“What brings you over tonight, big brother?” he asks me. “Want a beer?”
