Holiday Baby Scandal

And Ryker would do it again even without all the money.

Zara joined them, swirling her glass of wine. “I’d say this party is another success.”

Braden nodded. “Of course it is. I married the best event coordinator in the world.”

Ryker listened, but his eyes were on Laney. She was chatting with Viviana and whoever her date was. Some guy with a beard and an expensive suit. Ryker had never seen the man before, but he’d met Viviana and knew the family trusted her. Laney hugged the woman and turned, her gaze catching Ryker’s. His heart kicked up as she made her way across the floor. The way her body shifted, the way that dress hugged her until mid-thigh then flared out, those creamy shoulders exposed...he was going to have to think of something else because Laney was seriously killing him. And from the smirk on her face, she damn well knew it.

“Feeling better?” Braden asked when Laney stood before them. “Mac said you’d gotten dizzy or something earlier.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not taking care of yourself,” Braden added. “This is the second time this has happened recently. Have you been to the doctor?”

Laney nodded. “I have, and I promise I’m perfectly healthy.”

Ryker hated this. Hated lying to the only people he truly cared about.

“Have you tried this white wine?” Zara asked Laney. “It’s the best I’ve ever had. I already asked the caterer the name, and I’m going to order it for my next event.”

Laney shook her head. “Wow, it must be good.”

“Let me get you a glass,” Zara stated.

Ryker froze at the same time Laney’s eyes widened. “Um, no. I’m just going to have some water for now.”

Zara’s brows drew in. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Ryker needed to move this conversation in a different direction. Laney was uncomfortable, and that was the last thing she needed.

“Braden, are you—”

“Oh, Laney.” Zara’s words cut him off. “Are you...are you pregnant?”

The last word was whispered, and Ryker gritted his teeth. He scrambled for a defense, but he couldn’t outright lie. It wasn’t as if they could keep the baby a secret forever. Damn it, he wanted, needed to come to Laney’s aid here, he just had no idea how.

“Laney?” Braden jerked his attention to his sister. “Are you?”

The party went on around them, but the silence surrounded their little group, blocking everything else out. Ryker opened his mouth, not sure what he was about to say, but Laney’s one word response cut him off.

“Yes.”

“Oh, honey.” Zara stepped forward and hugged Laney. “I’m sorry. I just blurted that out because I recognized the symptoms. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Laney returned the embrace. “It’s okay. I was waiting to tell you all. I wasn’t sure how you’d take the news.”

Zara leaned back. “I’m happy for you if you’re happy. Braden and I are confident we’ll have children, so don’t worry about me.”

Laney’s smile widened as she turned her attention to Braden. “Well, do you have something you want to say?”

“Who’s the father?”

His low, anger-filled tone cut right through Ryker. To Laney’s credit, she didn’t even flick a glance his way as she continued to smile.

“Right now we’re just keeping things low-key. I’m not ready to say who the father is just yet.”

Part of Ryker was proud of her response, honest but still keeping their secret. The other part of him, the bigger part of him, hated the fact he was kept out of the equation. He wanted to be part of this child’s life from the start. Not hidden in the background.