Worth It (Forbidden Men 6)

Noel didn’t look so apologetic. He scowled at the interruption and folded his arms across his bulging chest before resting his back against the counter and asking, “So, what’s up with you today, Bainbridge? Come over for baby details?”

Wait, what? I frowned. “Baby details?”

Was Aspen expecting?

“Oh, crap. I totally forgot!” She slapped a hand to her brow as she cringed. “Zoey went into labor today.”

“What?” I sprang from my seat, instantly alarmed. “Isn’t she, like, way early? Too early to be having a baby yet?”

Noel shrugged. “She did anyway. She went into labor and had it earlier today. The baby’s in NICU, but basically doing okay. I just got back from visiting them at the hospital.”

“How’s she doing?” Aspen asked, rubbing Noel’s arm. “Did you get to see the baby?”

“Through a window, but that was it. Zoey was worn out but still had enough energy to smile when we invaded her room. We decided to let her rest so we didn’t stay long.”

“Whew.” I swiped my hand over my brow and sank back into my seat. “Thank goodness they’re both okay. It was supposed to be a boy, right?”

Noel nodded. “J.B. And he has a head full of dark hair like his daddy.”

Aspen patted his shoulder. “Tell her about the mysterious hero.”

I glanced between them. “The what?”

“Ten told me some Good Samaritan drove Zoey to the hospital.”

“Huh?”

“After she went into labor, Zoey tried to drive herself to the hospital or something, I don’t know, but she stopped at some convenience store for help, and some stranger just up and drove her the rest of the way to the hospital. Turns out, Pick actually knew the guy from school, and get this, he’s some kind of fucking ex-con who just got out of prison today.”

My mind instantly traveled to the only person I’d ever really known who’d done any time. And Pick would’ve known him too. But there was no way Noel was talking about Knox. He had a good twenty-eight years left to serve.

“Isn’t that crazy?” Aspen was saying.

“Hmm?” I glanced over and realized both Noel and Aspen were watching me. “Oh! Yeah. Insane.”

Noel sent me an odd look. “So, what’re you doing here today? More book talk?”

“Uh...no.” I waved a hand, letting him know my day wasn’t nearly as eventful as his story. “My boyfriend cheated on me, pretty much kicked me out of my apartment, and then moved in his new whore...without informing me of the changes first. That’s all.”

Noel blinked. Then a frown creased his forehead. Finally, he said, “He...what? He cheated on you? Is he fucking stupid?”

Yeah, that question still warmed me from the inside out. “That’s exactly what your wife said.”

“It was,” Aspen confirmed.

Noel grinned at her and reached out to yank her against his chest. “Of course it was. Because you’re the smartest woman I know.”

As they did that kissy-make-babies-with-their-eyes thing again, I groaned. “Still here.”

Noel growled and tore his mouth from Aspen’s but kept his forehead mashed to hers.

“She’s going to need a place to stay,” Aspen started.

“Hell, yes, she can stay here.” Noel glanced at me to announce, “We’ll bunk you in Brandt’s room.”

Again, exactly what Aspen had said. These two were so tuned in to each other it was sickening. A good sickening that made me really jealous and all heart-hurt.

Before I could refuse their offer, the back door opened again, and this time Noel’s fifteen-year-old brother burst inside with a book bag slung over his shoulder.