Page 49 of Reticent

“No. I don’t.”

Staring off into the fireplace, I consider his words, letting them settle into my spirit and never wanting to forget them. “Did Quentin ever find out?”

“Yes. She told him. I offered, but she thought it would be best coming from her.”

“What did he say to you when he found out?”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “Not much of anything. We settled our differences by kicking the bloody shit out of each other until our friends broke it up.”

My mouth hangs open. “Are you guys okay now?”

“Everyone’s moved on. That was almost four years ago. You’ll meet them at the baby shower.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Enough about me.” The pad of his thumb grazes my ankle. Up and down, up and down, dispersing heat on my skin. “What about you?”

“I’ve never been in love.”

“Never?”

I shake my head. “No.”

He leans his head back on the couch. “I sometimes forget how young you are.”

Hunter’s been in love, married, and divorced. He’s been heartbroken and has broken hearts along the way. His experience, and my lack thereof, highlights the eight years between us.

Does he still wish I were older? Does he wish he were doing this with someone closer to his age? In times like these, I wonder. “Sorry to disappoint you,” I say, feeling insecure and defensive.

“I’m not disappointed. You’re going to be a great mother, Yasmine.”

“And you’re going to be a great dad,” I say, genuinely believing that.

“Do you think you’ll ever get married and have more children?” Hunter asks.

“Sure. One day.” I’ll just have to get out of my own way and stop lusting after my baby’s daddy to find it.

“You deserve it. Whoever he is, he’ll be damn lucky to have you. Just make sure he’s not a total dick.”

“Duly noted.” We let the silence marinate and linger between us. The movement of his throat as he finishes the rest of his beer catches my attention. “You were sort of my first, you know. Not technically, but my first time lasted only two minutes.”

Shit. Was there a truth serum in that apple ravioli and ice cream?

Hunter lifts his head and sits up straight, giving me the strangest look. “What?”

I want to disappear. “It’s not that big of a deal. Like I said, I’ve had sex before.”

“Shit, Yas. Why didn’t you say anything? Was I … ? Did I hurt you?”

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and grin. “No. You’re really good at sex. Really, really good.”

He studies me for a moment, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking. He seems to ease out of the panic and what looks like regret, his expression becoming intrigued. “You were …” He searches for the right words. “Enthusiastic and one hell of a fast learner.”

My cheeks flush with heat. “We had mad chemistry.”

“Hell yes, we did.”

I look away first, fixing my eyes on my baby bump. “We’ve gotten so close over the last few weeks. You’ve become one of my best friends.”