“It matters to me.” Her words came out muffled against my chest, but the shuddery breath she let out was like a knife to the heart. “They are our baby’s grandparents. Their only grandparents and I want them to want to spoil him or her, give this baby all the family we never had.”
Aw hell, how could I deny her that? “Would it help if I told you my dad thinks you’re nice and pretty?”
“Maybe,” she sniffled again and wrapped her arms around my waist. Finally.
“He also told me that a woman who’s willing to do what you did to keep me happy is a definite keeper.”
“He did not.”
I couldn’t help but smile at how small and vulnerable she sounded, it was such a contrast between the girl I thought she was before our first night together. “He did, but if you don’t believe me you’ll have to come downstairs. I’m sure he’ll tell you himself.”
“Oh god,” she moaned. “And I just left them down there. Talk about a horrible first impression!”
“Horrible for you, maybe. I think my dad has a crush and Trish, well she’s probably put out that now she’ll have to wait for my dad butt ass naked in the middle of the day.”
Olive gasped and stepped back with a slap for me, but she did it with a smile on her face. “They both seem sweet. You look a lot like your dad.”
“Except that I’m way handsomer?”
She rolled her eyes with a smile. “Of course. Is it safe to go home yet?”
That question did pull a laugh from me. “Nope. And Dad’s call means it’ll be at least another day,” I lied for some reason I wasn’t ready to explore. “So you’re stuck here. With the crazy Reyes family and your embarrassment.” I laughed as another blush stole over her face. “It’s all right Olive, really. We can tell them about the baby together and they’ll forget all about that. I promise.” I stepped away just in time to avoid another hit.
“You haven’t told him yet?”
“No. We’re not that close but I’m hopeful that’s going to change, starting tonight.” I hadn’t realized it until the words came out of my mouth, but it was true.
And the smile she laid on me had me feeling like I’d done something really great, like save a baby from a burning building. “That’s good, Liam.”
“Yeah? So can I get a bit of the show my dad and Trish received?”
In a flash, a pillow flew from the bed straight towards my head, but Olive was laughing and I easily ducked out of the way, so I laughed too. “You are…,” she couldn’t find a word and finished the sentence on a sexy as hell growl.
“Amazing? Incredible? A super stud?”
“There goes that modesty again,” she said with a laugh. “Let’s hope this baby only has half of your arrogance.” Her hand went to her stomach and I felt my belly clench. The baby was getting bigger, and more real with every passing day.
“Confidence,” I corrected her with a smile and grabbed her hand in mine. “Ready to meet the grandparents, again?”
Olive shrugged and blew a strand of hair out of her face. “As ready as I can be, I suppose.” She gave my hand a squeeze as if she needed it to strengthen her resolve and, dammit, I liked that she saw me as a source of strength for her.
I liked it a lot.
“Hey guys, this is Olive Jensen. Olive this is my dad Diego and this is Trish. My stepmother.”
She stepped forward nervously and extended a hand. “It’s nice to meet you both. Officially.”
Dad pulled her into an energetic hug and rubbed here back. “Don’t be embarrassed Olive, any man is lucky when a woman wants to make him feel good. Always and forever, don’t you forget it.”
“Thank you, Diego.” Her words came out around a laugh that made me and Trish both smile.
“He’s right, you know. If I still had twenty year old boobs, I’d walk around shirtless all day,” Trish assured her with a smile.
“Nothing wrong with boobs your age, sweetheart, I’m always happy to get my eyes on’em. Hands too.”
“You guys are adorable,” Olive said, a little more relaxed after that little exchange. “And congratulations on your marriage.” She did the expected girly squeal thing over Trish’s ring and I took that as my cue to see what to feed more people than I’ve hosted…ever.
“You went shopping?”
“Yes, but that was before I was kicked out of my house so I figured I could provide the food while I’m here.” She turned to dad and Trish with a soft smile. “Liam and a friend surprised me by painting the nursery at my place. Turns out it matches the one here.”
“My goodness, really?” Trish was over-the-top excited and grabbed Olive by the hands. “I’d love to see it.”