Bennett (On the Line 2)

“Give it to me, Liam. Now.”

“Why haven’t I met him?”

I glared at him. “It just never feels like the right time to introduce him to my overbearing brother.”

“A good guy would want to meet your family.”

“Who said he doesn’t want to?”

“Then where the fuck is he?” Liam narrowed his eyes at me. “The only guy who’s stepped up so far is Riley.”

“He had no business calling you! Give me that note, Liam.”

“You ought to consider it. Where’s this Boo Bear asshole at? It’s Christmas, Charlotte. What about next Christmas? Will he be with someone else then, too?”

“I’m a grown woman,” I said through gritted teeth. “And right now I’m a very pissed off one. Give me that note.”

He handed it over, shaking his head.

“I just want what’s best for my niece or nephew,” he said.

“I do, too. You need to trust my judgment. Riley is a complete asshole. And I don’t have to be with a man to be a great parent to my child.”

“So you’re not with him, then? Christopher Van Douchenozzle, I mean.”

“If I wanted you to know anything more, I’d tell you.”

The apartment door opened and Mom came in, her arms full of grocery sacks. Liam walked over to take them from her. I went into my bedroom and typed out a quick text to Bennett.

Me: I got the gift. It’s beautiful. Thank you.

Bennett: You’re welcome. Miss you.

Me: How’s Christmas with your family?

Bennett: It’s g

ood. Wish you were here.

Me: Better go help my mom cook. When will I see you again?

Bennett: Leaving on a road trip as soon as I get home tomorrow. Gone for three days.

Me: Okay. Don’t forget the 18-week appointment is Friday.

Bennett: I couldn’t forget that. Pick you up for it at your office?

Me: Sure.

I tossed my phone on my bed and went to the kitchen, trying not to think about how long it would be until I saw him again.

Charlotte

The office was quiet and nearly empty this week. Most everyone had taken vacation time between Christmas and New Year’s, but I was working because I wanted to save my vacation days for some extra time on my maternity leave.

It was just Riley and me working today, which was why the door to my office was closed. There was no court today, so I was spending the morning organizing files. Bennett would be picking me up late this morning for my doctor’s appointment, and I was dying to see him.

Riley opened the door to my office and leaned against the frame. “Hey, how was your Christmas?”