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I was going to do bodily harm to the next person who told me I needed to get married just because I was having a baby. I’d always been strong and self-sufficient, and I was more determined than ever to stay that way.
Bennett and I could be whatever we wanted to each other. We didn’t have to get married for our child to grow up with two loving parents. Having a baby was a huge life change, and I was again grateful I was with a forward-thinking man who didn’t want to drag me into his cave just because we were having a kid together.
Apparently the people around me needed to be reminded just who Charlotte Holloway was and how much she valued her independence.
I huffed as I approached the passenger side door Bennett was holding open from me.
“Crummy day?” he asked.
“Riley.”
He cupped my cheek and kissed me, his longish stubble tickling my lips. “Did you tell him to fuck off?”
“I did.” I slid into the car and he closed the door.
“Good. You want to get some lunch after this?”
“Sure, that sounds good.”
He put a hand on my thigh. “Try to relax.”
“I am.”
“Find a happy place.” He grinned at me. “You’re wearing the ring.”
“Of course I am.” I looked at the pearl and diamond ring on my right hand. “This is just . . . for the baby, right?”
He lowered his brows, looking confused. “What do you mean?”
“Just . . . it’s a ring, and . . . it’s not like a promise ring or anything, right?”
“No. If I gave you a ring that held a promise of some sort, I’d definitely let you know.” His tone held a hint of defensiveness.
“Sorry. It’s just . . .” I sighed deeply. “My mom left last night, finally. She lectured me before she did about how I need to lock you down. And then Riley offered to marry me this morning.”
“Marry you?”
“Yeah. I’m so over this ticking-clock idea some people have. Like I need a husband before the baby is born.”
“I’m not one of those people, Char. Don’t get pissed at me over it.”
I nodded. “Okay. Today is about the baby.”
“You think it’s a boy or a girl?”
“I have no idea, but I’m dying to find out.”
“Me too.”
When we got to the doctor’s office, my excitement grew stronger. I hoped the sonogram technician could tell the baby’s sex today. Bennett and I hung up our coats and sat down. He took my hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed my knuckles.
“I’ve missed you,” I said softly.
He was about to answer when someone walked up and stopped in front of the chairs we were sitting in. I looked up and my heart skipped about ten beats.
“Tell me this isn’t what I think it is,” Liam said. His hands were balled into fists at his sides and his gaze was locked on to Bennett.
“Liam.” I closed my eyes for a second. “What are you doing here?”
