Bennett (On the Line 2)

“What about your family?”

“I’ve got two sisters and a brother. I’m the next to oldest. My mom’s a pediatrician and my dad’s a history professor.”

We’d arrived at the restaurant and he’d just parked the car.

“What will they think about . . . you know, you having a kid?”

He grinned. “They’ll be thrilled. No grandkids yet.”

“They won’t be upset that it was a one-night stand thing?”

“No. My parents are very liberal. If the baby’s healthy and happy, they’ll be happy.”

There was something about his words and even his warm, deep voice that wrapped me in reassurance. Bennett was so solid. He made me feel like everything would be okay.

“Stay there,” he said. “I’m coming to get your door.”

I smiled to myself. Did he know how cute he was? I had a feeling he didn’t.

He opened my door and offered me his hand to help me out. I took it, liking how small my hand felt in his big one.

Why was I feeling this way? We weren’t on a date. I’d thrown away his phone number, and we never would have seen each other again if not for the unplanned pregnancy. I had to keep my head about me and remember what Bennett and I were—and weren’t—to each other. The last thing I needed right now was a relationship with a man.

I’d seen men come in and out of my mom’s life as a kid. They’d made lots of promises, but none of them had ever come through for her. She’d busted her butt working two jobs to support us, and it had been hard for Liam and me to see her let down by men time after time.

I pulled my hand away from Bennett’s as he led me to a booth where we both took off our coats and sat down. As soon as our eyes met, I saw how dark and serious his were.

“So, are you and your ex talking about getting back together?” he asked.

“No.” I drew my brows together, surprised. “You mean because he came over?”

“With dinner. I know that play. Done it myself a few times. Dinner, a bottle of wine—”

I cut in. “He didn’t have any wine.”

“Did too, I saw the neck of

the bottle sticking out of the bag. He was hoping to get in your pants tonight.”

I leaned back and folded my arms over my chest. “I’m confused, Bennett. Why does this matter?”

“Why does it matter?” He arched his brows and gave me an incredulous look. “Because I’m already feeling like you don’t want me involved with this pregnancy, and if you’ve got a boyfriend, I’m totally fucked.”

“I told you about it, didn’t I? It’s not like there’s a baby yet, so I’m not sure how involved you can be. Would you like to empty my trash can after I puke up the entire contents of my stomach every morning?”

He blew out a breath, looking frustrated. “You are Liam’s sister, aren’t you? I’m starting to see the resemblance.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I want to be a father to my kid. Starting now. I want to go to the doctor’s appointments with you.”

I shrugged. “Fine. I’ve only had two so far. If I’d known you wanted to go, I would’ve told you about the one two weeks ago.”

“Just tell me from here forward, okay?”

I nodded.

“And,” he continued, “I need to know . . . have you and surfer boy been drinking wine together? Are you drinking alcohol?”