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“Just your favorite, tri-tip that I’ve had marinating and then I’ll slice it up for tacos.” He is such a master griller, his words, not mine, but thank god because Mom is not allowed to cook because she’s terrible. God, love her, she tries, but the woman can burn water.
I learned to cook standing on a stool while Mom told me the instructions. It was unconventional, but we did what we had to and it’s not like I wasn’t supervised. It was hard to let Pete take care of us since we’d been taking care of each other forever, but eventually I gave in.
“Yum. That sounds good.” I kiss his cheek and head for the pool. It is hot out and I decide to sit on the side, sticking my feet into the water. With sunglasses on, I’m able to watch Sebastian as he talks to my mom, without him noticing.
He and Pete look a lot alike and it’s more noticeable when they’re together. His smile is wide with a hint of cockiness. Mom throws her head back, laughing at something he said.
What are they going to say when they learn the truth? Will Sebastian’s relationship with his brother be destroyed beyond repair?
“Hey Lu.” Nicky says as he sits down next to me, kicking his little feet in the water.
I wrap my arms around him, hugging him into my side. He is fascinated by my belly, always touching it, and talking to the baby. She’ll know her uncle’s voice. “Why do you love touching my belly so much, goofy?” I kiss the top of his head. He smells like his strawberry shampoo.
He shrugs his little shoulders. “I don’t know. I just like it.”
“Well, your niece loves you already.”
Nicky stands and quickly kisses me before running over to Mom.
Sebastian comes out of the house, coming toward me with a glass of caramel color liquid and a glass of lemonade. He hands me the lemonade and takes a seat next to me, sticking his bare feet in the water. “We need to talk and really shouldn’t do it here.” He says quietly and then takes a sip of his drink.
“I agree.”
He doesn’t say anything else, just sits next to me. God, this is so awkward. I’m not sure what else to say, and I don’t want to say something that my parents or brother could overhear. It is just weird to think that a part of him is growing inside me and we know nothing about it each other.
I’m finally the one to break the silence. “I promised Nicky I’d make my famous French toast tomorrow, maybe I could run to the store tonight and you could run with me. I could tell them I’m giving you a tour.” I turn to look at him, damn, why does he have to be so freaking hot?
Sebastian nods before taking a sip of his tequila. Geez, he’s even sexy doing that. “Yeah, that sounds good.” He gets up and goes to talk to Pete, leaving me to drink my lemonade, my mind going in a hundred different directions, thinking about our talk.
I push the shopping cart down the aisle and Sebastian is silent as he walks beside me. Hell, we have barely said two words to each other. Earlier, during dinner, I spent most of the time either talking to my brother or listening to Pete, Sebastian, and Mom talk.
An older woman walks by us, smiling. “You’re a beautiful couple.” She says as she keeps walking.
What do I say to that?
Luckily, he beats me to it, and speaks up. “Thank you.”
I give her a smile and she goes on her way. Bastian pulls out his phone as we walk down the aisle. His smile is wide and breathtaking when he looks at the screen, before answering it. “Hey gorgeous.” He listens with a small smile on his lips. “I wish I could but I’m visiting my brother and his family.” Again, he listens. “Yes, tell him I’ll be flying to New York at the end of the month.” They talk for a while longer while I grab the groceries I need. I’m almost done when he disconnects with a “Ciao.”
Why do I feel like I’ve been kicked in the gut? He’s not mine, we’re strangers, and we’re more than likely not going to raise this baby together. Sebastian is a fancy photographer who jet sets all over the world. He doesn’t have time to be a father.
Living in one place is better for the child, they can build friendships, and I want my daughter to be near her grandparents. A baby does not fit into his plans… ugh, there I go again.
Sebastian’s phone rings again as we stand in the check out line. He answers it and begins speaking fluent French. It’s obvious he is talking to another woman, but this time he walks away.
“Thirty-three-fifty.” The check-out woman says.
Pulling my eyes away from his retreating back. I smile at her. “Sorry.” I quickly swipe my card and once I grab the bags, I head out to my car.
He’s standing next to the passenger door still talking. “You’re a tease, oh oui belle femme.”
It must be his girlfriend—oh god was he married when we slept together? He isn’t wearing a ring, but that doesn’t mean anything. My stomach starts knotting up just thinking about it. I climb in and he follows. While I head toward the house, he talks quietly into the phone.
I know we were going to talk, but I honestly don’t think we could have this conversation with his phone ringing over and over. Plus, I suddenly don’t feel well and really want to lay down.
We reach the neighborhood when he disconnects his call. Out of the corner of my eye I can see him looking around. “I thought we were going to go somewhere and talk.”
“Um… well I’m just not feeling well and should probably lie down.” I rub a hand over my belly as she flutter kicks inside me. She can probably feel my nerves.
