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The wistful look returned, accompanied by a giggle. “You have no idea,” Lucia said.
“Are you drunk?” Natalie asked. It was her sister’s party. She had every right to pass out under the table if she wanted. But they should probably save the heart-to-hearts for when her sister was sober. “I know you’ve avoided the ‘tea,’ but what’s in those special daiquiris?”
Lucia leaned closer and whispered, “Promise you won’t tell?”
Natalie nodded.
“They’re virgin daiquiris,” she quietly said. “I’m pregnant.”
“You’re having a baby? Oh my God, Lucia!” She reached for her sister and wrapped her arms around her. And she buried her face against Lucia’s shoulder as she tumbled off an emotional cliff.
“You can’t tell anyone. It’s still early,” Lucia said. “And we honestly weren’t expecting it to happen this fast. I mean, Cade was home for a few days six weeks ago and we talked about it, decided we didn’t want to wait much longer. That night, we skipped protection. And it worked.”
“I won’t say a word,” she promised. “And I’m so happy for you. If this is what you want—”
“It is,” her sister said firmly. “I want to start a family with Cade. It won’t be easy. He’ll be gone a lot. But I know the good moments will make it all worth it.”
The good moments. Her sister said those words and Natalie pictured Jack in the shower, touching her, teasing her…
But it was only a taste of happiness.
“You should have it all,” Natalie said firmly. “And I’ll be there to help you. I’ll be the best aunt.” She closed her eyes, fighting back tears. She meant it, every word.
“I know you will. Natalie, it feels like a dream. A really good one. Even better than Cade covered in chocolate body paint.”
Natalie pulled back. “That’s something I don’t want to think about. The father of my future niece or nephew.” She forced a laugh, but it sounded brittle. Her sister was bubbling with happiness, but that joy…
For her, it still felt out of reach.
“You could be dreaming about painting your very own SEAL in chocolate,” Lucia said, holding up the container.
Every time I close my eyes.
But that wicked fantasy didn’t lead to wedding bells and babies. Not for her.
“If you’d just give Jack a shot,” her sister continued. “I think he really likes you. You’ve been spending a lot of time with him since you arrived.”
Because there’s this bet I haven’t told you about…
But now, on the heels of her sister’s happy announcement, wasn’t the time to tell her about the bet. Still, the thought of losing herself in his touch, his kiss, in him. It was tempting to run away from the emotions inspired by her sister’s announcement and straight into Jack’s arms.
But how many times could she abandon her clothes, steal a taste of all the charming SEAL had to offer, and walk away the winner?
“No.” Natalie shook her head. “I’m better off on my own.”
Unless I want to forget my resolve and let him win…
She pictured Jack standing naked and very aroused in the entryway to his suite. Losing might feel very, very good…
“Chocolate body paint?” One of the tipsy social workers cried as she pushed off the couch and stumbled toward them. “Do you think Rick will let us try it on his abs?”
“The waiter,” the other drunken coworker explained as she turned to Lucia. “You can’t tell anyone at the hospital about this. But OMG, I want to lick chocolate off that man’s body.”
Lucia laughed and smiled at her friends. “My lips are sealed.”
Natalie smiled and tried to bottle up her ugly feelings. Lucia had suffered through so much. Her sister deserved to find happiness with her growing family. But next to Lucia’s I’m-in-love-and-pregnant glow, Natalie felt like she’d been thrust deeper into the deep, dark forest of loneliness.
She’d experienced a moment of genuine happiness with Jack. But the thought of loving a man, letting him into her life, and then sending him off to fight, not knowing if he’d ever come back…
