The Things I Do for You (The Alexanders 2)

“No, Nick, put me down. You’re making a scene.”

Nick ignored her and continued to their table. Once there, he lowered her gently to her feet. “You think I care about that?”

“No, but I do.” She sat in her chair and put her head in her hands.

“Hey, is she okay?” His cousin Grant was no longer glaring at him but instead kneeling next to Raina. “How are you feeling?”

“Dizzy. I was fine, then all of a sudden I felt hot and sort of sick.”

Grant looked up at Nick. “Let’s go inside. I think a break from all the noise and excitement out here will help.”

“For once, we actually agree on something.” Nick offered Raina his arm and they walked toward the house.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“HOW LONG HAS this been happening?” Grant held her elbow in a firm but gentle grip and led her to the couch in the family room. The party was still going strong, so no one seemed to even notice the trio leaving and going back into the house. She could only hope Ridley hadn’t seen them. The last thing she wanted was to distract her sister on her wedding day.

Especially for something stupid.

“It just started today. It might be something I ate.” Raina sat down and let out a relieved sigh. Maybe now the room would stop swirling around.

“Anything is possible. It’s better to take it easy until you feel better.”

Nick sat next to her and pulled her against his chest. She leaned into him and closed her eyes. “We’ve been trying to get pregnant,” he said.

Raina’s eyes popped open. Grant observed her reaction with a knowing smile. “Is that right?”

“She has endometriosis. Do you think the dancing could have, I don’t know, strained something? Never mind, I feel stupid even asking that.” Nick squeezed her closer and ran a hand gently up and down her back. “It’s probably just stress. She met her father for the first time recently.”

Raina closed her eyes again, this time in embarrassment. “Did he really need my entire life story, Nick? I got a little dizzy. I didn’t pass out.”

“It’s okay.” Grant laughed. “I’m used to it. Occupational hazard. Once people find out you’re a doctor, they tell you all kinds of things. Some stuff that you really wish they wouldn’t, actually.”

He winked at her and despite her headache, Raina couldn’t help smiling back. In a strange way, he reminded her of a more rugged version of Nick with his cocky attitude and devil-may-care way of speaking.

Not that she thought her husband would appreciate the comparison.

“Once you’re done flirting, perhaps you could tell me if my wife is okay?” Nick scowled up at his cousin.

Grant crossed his arms and leaned against the wall nonchalantly. “I’m not an obstetrician, but did your doctor place you under any restrictions?”

Raina shook her head. “No. I’ve been doing all the same stuff I usually do.”

He nodded. “Then more than likely the dancing was fine. Even if you are pregnant, dizziness is quite common. It’s probably best if you try not to do too much until you know for sure whether you are or not. Especially if you might be a high-risk pregnancy.”

Raina nodded. “Thank you. I have to admit, I do feel better just being off my feet and out of the crowd. I’m probably still not used to this many people at once.”

Grant glanced over at Nick with narrowed eyes. “Why wouldn’t you be used to it? How long have you two been married, anyway?”

Nick scowled. “Why? Are you hoping the ink isn’t dry on the certificate or something?”

Raina sat up and looked between the two men. “I’m surprised there’s anyone in your family who doesn’t know that we eloped. I thought all you Alexanders told each other everything.”

“Aaah, Cousin Nick hasn’t told you about the ‘other side’ of the family yet. Interesting. You guys really are newlyweds then.”

Raina nodded but decided against saying anything else. Her head wasn’t clear enough for her to navigate the strange undercurrents of this conversation.

He looked at Raina. “Our fathers don’t get along, so most of us West Haven Alexanders are treated like black sheep. Jackson has always been pretty welcoming to us, so we visit him from time to time.”