“I guess I always thought maybe he would end up with a Stepford wife one day or something, but that doesn’t feel right either.” Vee scratches her nose. “You know. The whole white picket fence and stuff if he ended up settling down.”
“I could be a Stepford wife. Just with pink hair.” The words are past my lips before I can even think of them. Both of them stare at me for a long moment before giant smiles break across their faces.
My face starts to heat. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed by wanting this. I guess because I think everyone sees me as the strong girl who is bold and out there. The one who never gives men the time of day.
“You know there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a wife and mom, right, Pink?” Ollie says. It dawns on me that if I ever do have a baby with her brother, not that I’m going to, that she’d be their aunt. I can’t help but love that idea.
“Better not be.” Vee places her hand on her stomach.
“Wait, are you pregnant too?” I whisper. I don’t think anyone is paying us attention, but still, you never know. I don’t want to be the one to tell something that is theirs to share.
“Yes.” She beams, really living up to the whole pregnant woman glow thing.
“How about you? How long has this been going on with my brother? You knocked up?” Ollie teases, making my stomach flutter. “Oh shit.” She gasps when I don’t laugh at her joke.
I mean, I guess I could be. We haven’t been using anything, and I’m not on birth control. Why haven’t I thought about that before now? Heck, one time he only put the tip of himself in me and came. Damn, that was so hot.
“No!” I glance around again to make sure no one is in earshot. Everyone is giving us a pretty wide berth since I’m sitting with Vee and Ollie. Arch is close by like a giant unmissable bodyguard. No one is going to mess with us even if he wasn’t sitting over there waiting to pounce on anyone that gets the wrong idea.
“Then what’s with the face?” They both smirk at me.
“We’ve only been a thing since like yesterday.”
I suppose it only takes one time to get pregnant.
“My brother is not someone who doesn’t think ahead. I’d bet everything I have that he’s been forming a plan to have you since the first time he saw you.”
“Why would he need a plan, though?” I ask.
I’ve known Kane for a few months now. He came into the warehouse often since his sister and Jason became a thing, often doing his whole big brother duty. Why did it take him so long to make a move on me? Why now? What changed?
“Who knows? Like I said, this is new to me. I’ve never seen him date or show interest in a girl before. The man works and then works more. Between Hart Bonds and still being a cop, he’s always got something going on. He’s been that way my whole life. He lives and breathes work.” Ollie shrugs it off, not seeing a problem with how long it took Kane to actually make a move.
Except the longer I sit here, the more upset I get. It’s illogical. Why does it matter why he didn’t make a move quicker? Maybe he was trying to get to know me better first. Still, it gnaws at me. It’s hard not to let it when your two new best friends have husbands that fell madly in love with them immediately.
I bet Kane had all kinds of preconceived notions about me. Ones that kept him from acting on the possibility of us. I should understand that. I had some about him as well. Though I still wanted him, I just never thought I could have him.
“You okay?” Vee nudges me with her shoulder.
“Just tired.” It’s not a total lie. I woke early with Kane in my bed. It was impossible to get back to sleep after that. “I should actually go check on Carter.” I stand. They both give me a skeptical look, but my reasoning is sound. Normally I’m working behind the bar right now. “Congratulations, Vee. You two are going to look adorable pregnant together,” I say before I dart away.
A rush of emotion starts to overwhelm me. What is wrong with me? I’m all over the place. I hate it. I was on a cloud, and I let all these things creep in and ruin it for myself.
I know it’s because nothing ever stays good in my life. Every time I think I’m getting my grounding; something slips through my fingers. It’s always two steps forward and three back. But right now I feel a mile ahead. I’m so scared of how far I’ll be ripped back this time, and I’m terrified that my heart won’t be able to take it.