It's Our Time (Carolina Rebels 3)

“So, nothing’s wrong?” Zane asks as they take a seat at the dining table.

“No. They were worried about me. I was sick and lightheaded is all. Meredith, Lizzy, and Sylvia were here, so it brought their men here too. Oh!” She giggles. “I don’t know why, but Savannah named her new stuffed animal Z.”

“She did?” Zane sounds surprised.

“Yes. You’ve made some kind of impression on her, I guess. You’ll have to come over at some point and see if she’ll introduce him as Z or not. Plus, I’m sure she’d be happy to see you and give you a fist bump.”

“She’s a cool kid. Is she still taking skating lessons?”

“Those are on hold until her arm heals. She misses it, though.”

They talk back and forth until I’m placing a plate of food in front of each of them. Zane seems a bit embarrassed, but he’s never one to turn down food.

“You didn’t have to come all the way over here,” Sydney says as she scarfs down her food.

Zane shrugs. “Just wanted to be sure nothing was wrong. I thought it might be Savannah.” He winces. “I mean, I thought it could be you, but I…”

I laugh. “No one cares that you were more worried about Savannah, Z.”

“Thanks for breakfast,” he says. His phone chimes in his pocket and he checks it, a smile quickly lighting his face and then disappearing just as fast.

“That Deanna?” I ask.

“Who’s Deanna?” Sydney curiously gets interested.

“Yeah,” Zane answers. “She’s just some girl I see every now and then.”

“Oh! We should totally go on a doub—”

“Babe,” I interrupt to stop her, the warning in my voice causing her to glance at me in confusion.

“Yeah,” Zane cuts in. “That’s a nice thought, but it’s not like that.”

“Oh.” Sydney seems disappointed. She pats Zane on the shoulder. “Been there, done that,” she says quietly. “Maybe she’ll come around.”

I doubt that. Zane nods his he

ad, but I wonder if he really thinks she’ll come around.

“You should start coming over for dinner some,” Sydney tells him.

Zane laughs. “I think Bruiser sees me enough. He probably doesn’t want me coming over when he’s supposed to spend time with you and Savannah.”

“No one cares what he wants anymore.” Zane is confused by this, but I laugh, so he lets it go. “Come if you want, Zane. You’re more than welcome,” Sydney adds.

“Thanks. I should get going. Glad you’re okay, Sydney, and I hope you feel better.”

She thanks him and I walk him to the door. I feel bad about not telling him right away what’s going on, but I’m following her lead. She didn’t want to tell people just yet anyway, I remind myself. Not until she goes to the doctor and we tell our family. I need to find out how her family reacted to the engagement, too.

“Hey, you okay?” I ask Zane before he can get too far down the hallway.

He turns around. “Yeah.” He keeps walking without giving me a chance to ask whatever that text from Deanna was about.

I step into the apartment, lock the door, and don’t see Sydney anywhere. Maybe she’s getting ready for bed. As I go about cleaning up the kitchen somewhat, I think back to earlier today. I still can’t believe she’s pregnant.

“Ian! Come to bed already!” Sydney shouts from down the hall.

I drop what I’m doing to do as she asks. She’s lying in bed already and eyes me as I go around, getting ready for bed. When I crawl in next to her, she rolls on top of my body, kissing me soundly just once. She’s completely naked, which tells me where her mind is. Sydney never comes to bed naked.