She’s not his. She’smine.
Layla slaps at her neck, mortified, covering the hickeyIgave her. “It’s not even that bad!”
Catalina squints harder. “Baby, it’s purple.”
I clear my throat, which does absolutely nothing to help. I keep my eyes down, gripping my glass.
Maverick leans back, a feral grin forming across his lips. “Amelia has a ton of those. Show em’, baby.
Amelia squints at Maverick. “Really, Maverick? In front of our son?”
Maverick gently covers Leo’s ears. “My wife loves to be fuc?—”
I choke on absolutely nothing.
“Enough,” I mutter, finally looking up and shooting him a warning glare. “You’re done.”
Maverick only grins wider. “Am I?”
Carter groans, pinching his brows together. “You’re all done before I flip this table.”
Catalina’s laughing so hard she almost spills her water, leaning into Carter’s shoulder.
Carter shakes his head, smiling, his hand resting on hers on the table.
Every time she looks at him, he softens, his tough exterior melting away into something that still surprises me at times.
They look happy. Effortlessly happy.
Catalina tucks her hair behind her ear, her eyes flicking toward everyone with a glow that feels different. Softer. Nervous, maybe.
Her cheeks are flushed, as her hand tightens around Carter’s atop the table.
“Alright, settle down, you fucks” she says suddenly, her voice bright but trembling. “Can I have everyone’s attention for a sec?”
The room quiets instantly, or as quiet as it can get with Maverick in it.
Carter glances at her, brow furrowed. “What’s going on, darlin’?”
She turns to him first, and that’s when I notice the way her eyes glisten, the shimmer that no longer looks like laughter. “So...” she begins, voice trembling slightly. “I wasn’t sure how to say this. I’ve been keeping a big secret.”
Carter freezes. “What kind of secret?”
She takes a deep breath, her lips parting in a nervous smile as her gaze softens. “You’re going to be a dad.”
For a heartbeat, everything stops.
Carter blinks, still holding her hand like he’s not sure he heard right. “What?”
Catalina’s smile widens, tears streaming freely now. “Baby, I’m pregnant.”
His chair scrapes back as he stands, blue eyes widening in disbelief. “You’re serious?”
She nods, laughing through tears. “Yeah. I found out weeks ago. I wanted to be sure before I told you.”
He covers his mouth with his hand, his throat working, trying to hold back the tears, but it doesn’t last.
A choked sound escapes him, half laughter, half sob. He pulls her from the chair, pulling her against his chest, his arms wrapping around her so tightly.
