Kit’s eyes go wide and dreamy. “Aww… a tiny baby in a little leather jacket. Withcurls. That would be adorable.”
Lorraine covers her mouth, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. My father looks like he wants the river toswallow him whole. He’s gone slightly red and is staring very intently at his wine glass.
I close my eyes for a long second,seriouslydebatingjust standing up and walking out of the restaurant. How the fuck did we get here?
My mother, encouraged by Kit’s response, continues happily, “Well, surrogacy is such a wonderful option these days! You two could have a biological child if you wanted. Or adopt! There are so many beautiful children who need homes.”
Kit nods along like this is a completely normal conversation. “I think I’d be a fun dad. I could teach them how to code and hide from Soren when he’s grumpy.”
Armen snorts into his drink. Selina is grinning like this is the best night of her life.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Mother,” I say through gritted teeth, “perhaps we could talk about something else.”
But Kit, still happily drunk and oblivious to my suffering, turns to me with a soft, tipsy smile. “Do you want kids, Soren?”
The entire table looks at me. I stare at him. My brain short-circuits for a full three seconds.
Lorraine is now openly laughing behind her hand. My father looks like he’s praying for divine intervention.
I clear my throat roughly. “We are not having this conversation right now.”
Kit just tilts his head, still smiling. “But you’d lookreallyhot holding a baby.”
Selina chokes. Armen wheezes. Even Ray has to look away to hide his grin.
I close my eyes again… this is hell. This is actual hell, and my own family dragged me into it.
I watch Kit take another sip of wine and decide I’ve had enough of this circus. “Okay,” I say, voice firm as I reach over and gently take the glass from his hand. “I think you’ve had enough to drink.”
Kit pouts at me,actuallypouts.
I turn to my mother, keeping my expression flat. “It’s been lovely seeing you, Mother. Actually, no… I would have rather watched paint dry than listen to you try to persuade Kit to have children.”
My mother bursts out laughing, loud and bright, clearly tipsy herself. “Oh, don’t go yet!”
Kit, still happily drunk and zero filter, points at her with a big smile. “I like her.”
My mother actually blushes. “Oh, sweetheart…”
Fucking hell.I stand up, deciding this dinner is over. “We’re leaving.”
I slide my arm around Kit’s waist and help him up. He sways a little but leans into me with a soft giggle. Armen, bless him, immediately stands and offers his arm to Selina, who takes it with a grin. Ray and Lorraine are already moving, ready to follow.
My father clears his throat and stands as well. “I’ll take care of the bill,” he says, looking almost relieved tohave an excuse to escape to the bar for a moment. “You lot head out. I’ll meet you outside.”
We make our way through the restaurant. I keep one arm firmly around Kit, guiding him so he doesn’t stumble. The cool night air hits us the second we step outside.
Kit tilts his head back, staring up at the sky with wide, wonder-filled eyes. “Aw… look at the pretty stars,” he murmurs, voice soft and dreamy.
I would grin at how adorable he looks right now… flushed cheeks, messy curls, wearing those clothes and my watch, buthonestly, tonight has beena lot. Seeing him like this… relaxed, laughing, a little drunk, charming my parents, and looking so fucking good in that black shirt with the scar cutting across his face like a badge of survival… it’s all hitting me at once. The image of him holding a baby earlier flashed through my mind again and I nearly short-circuited.
I’m not used to any of this. I’ve spent my entire life solitary, closed off, and in control. And now this one boy has me feeling things I don’t know how to process. I feel like I could jump straight into the river just to cool the fuck down.
We wait on the pavement as my driver pulls the SUV around. Kit is still staring up at the stars, swaying gently against my side. I tighten my arm around him, holding him steady.
My parents step out a moment later, my father joining us after paying.
My mother gives Kit a warm hug goodbye, then hugs me. “Bring him to visit us soon,” she whispers.
