Claim My Baby (Crescent Cove 2)

Why, I wasn’t even sure.

I was a decent person. I volunteered at the soup kitchen. I babysat my niece with the minimum amount of bribery. I prided myself on getting my clients the absolute most money possible for their property. I was a fine brother, brother-in-law, son, and friend.

I even braked for squirrels.

Just because I enjoyed bedding beautiful women for a brief time before parting mutually satisfied, did that make me worthy of being treated like a pariah in my own hometown?

Yes, invisible Sage affirmed. Absolutely.

I adjusted my platinum cuff links—branded with the Hamilton crest—and walked down the hall with my dignity intact and the last of my erection firmly banished. At this rate, I might not ever get hard again.

Who was I kidding? I had a date with Ursula on Friday night, and she was ravishing. She also didn’t have a problem with our arrangement being casual.

She did not.

At the mouth of the hallway, Ally was waiting, already clad in her steel-blue coat, the belt wrapped tightly around her burgeoning midsection. I’d seen enough sonogram pictures to know there was a human baby in there, but without the pictorial evidence, I might’ve believed she was about to birth a baby T-Rex. She was normally on the slight side, but my nephew had changed all of that, and given her a lovely glow to boot.

“Finally,” Ally said, wringing her hands. “I was wondering what happened to you.”

“I told you I’d be right back after I delivered the phone.”

“Right back? That was fifteen minutes ago, and I’m starving.”

“So sorry to keep you waiting.” I put a hand at the small of her back and steered her to the door. “You do realize you’re in a place where they serve food.”

“Ugh, no way. I can’t eat anything here right now.” She touched her belly and grimaced. “You know what I could go for though?”

I was afraid I was going to find out.

“A greasy fast-food double cheeseburger.” Her eyes lit as she grinned up at me. “Maybe a strawberry shake to dip my fries into. Ooh, yes.”

Smothering a sigh, I eased the door open and nudged Ally out onto the icy sidewalk. We’d had a rare break in the weather, but by the steel gray of the sky and the scent of snow in the air, it wouldn’t last long. Lake effect snow was predicted for overnight and might even be starting as soon as the evening commute.

I’d probably still be stuck in the drive-thru checkout lane.

“You know, I’m pretty sure handling cravings is my brother’s job. He did the crime, he does the time.”

Ally snorted. “He’s handled plenty of my cravings. Including last week’s pickles and heavenly hash ice cream.”

“I don’t want to know.” I was a decent person, not a saint among men.

“Besides, it’s your fault Seth couldn’t drive me home today.”

“Oh, really. How do you figure that?”

“He had to get some more last-minute stuff for the baby today, and we couldn’t go

Friday night like we planned because of your date.”

“So, because I have a life and can’t always watch the rugrat, I’m the problem?”

“You try shopping with a four-year-old and you’ll see the logic works.”

“Oh, I have. And you decided to have another one precisely why?”

“The joys far outweigh the trials. Oh, Oliver, seriously?” She stopped at the curb and put her hands on her hips. “In this weather?”

“It snows half the year here. If you want to enjoy a sports car, you have to take advantage of clear days. Besides, I didn’t know I’d be called into service for you until after lunch.” I bent at the waist and made a big production of opening the passenger door of my vintage coupe. “You’ll fit if you’re careful.”