Page 95 of The Contract Marriage

–Xavier: When’s the baby shower?

–Silas: He just found out. It won’t be for a while.

–Xavier: I need to prepare gifts. One for Max and one for Olivia.

–Liam: I’ll let you guys know.

–Rhys: Another Kingswood baby! But don’t tell Dad. He wants to use them to distract Czarina, so he can do shit we don’t want to know about behind her back.

I make a face. My baby isn’t going to be a tool for Auric’s use. If he comes anywhere near them to use against Sorcha, he’s going to have a fight on his hands.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. Hard to be a fighter when morning sickness strikes three weeks later. Water is the only thing that stays down, but everything else? Instant ejection.

Liam cringes as he pats my back. “This sucks. Why don’t you take some days off? Actually, just start your maternity leave now.”

“I can’t,” I croak.

“Can’t? Can’t? You are growing the most precious life on this planet!”

I rinse my mouth, then turn to Liam, who’s staring at me like I have something terminal. “Lots of women experience morning sickness. It’s fine.” I cradle his cheek and run the pad of my thumb under his worried eye. “It’s only been like a few days. I’m sure I’ll get better.”

“Bullshit. Your company needs a better maternity leave policy.”

I laugh softly. “Nobody has maternity leave for a woman who’s in her first trimester. Come on, Hubby. It’s fine. I promise.” I hug him and rest my chin on his chest, then flutter my lashes at him. “If it gets too bad, I’ll let you know and talk to my doctor. I promise.”

“Fine,” he says glumly. “But I still think your company could use a more generous policy.”

Laughing, I pull out a box from my purse. It arrived by international overnight delivery from Paris. “Close your eyes.”

He does, immediately.

Smiling, I open the orange box tied with a navy grosgrain ribbon and pull out a tie that is the exact shade of Liam’s eyes. “Bend down,” I say.

He does, and I loop the bespoke Charvet tie around his neck.

“Wait, can I open my eyes now?” he asks, his eyelids fluttering.

“No. Shh.” I knot it into a classic Windsor, then stroke it down his chest. “Okay, now you can open your eyes.”

He looks down, shock flickering in his eyes. “This is stunning. How… When did you…?”

“The moment your assistant put that tie on you. Today, you wear this one. And only this one.”

He grins, then kisses me. “Deal.”

Soon after, Simon arrives to pick me up. Although I quit asking him to come get me after my birthday celebration, Liam has changed his mind. He wants Simon to pick me up, not because he thinks Simon’s feelings toward me are innocent—cue a huge eye-roll—but because he needs to make sure somebody’s with me in case of an emergency, and I won’t let him drive me, no matter how much he cajoles.

Simon hands me a tin of crystallized ginger, which I eye, torn between appreciation and annoyance since I won’t be able to enjoy it.

“She can’t eat anything,” Liam says.

Simon ignores him. “This helped my sister when she got pregnant. Try it, Olivia.”

“I see. Thanks.” I accept the gift without intending to consume it, but Simon waits, looking at me. Bracing myself, I take a piece and put it into my mouth, then give it five heartbeats. If it’s going to come back up, it’ll be before five—

Nothing. My stomach stays quiet. I raise my eyebrows. “Wow. I can keep it down.” I blink at Simon, then turn to Liam. “See? All good. You don’t have to worry so much.” I kiss his cheek then get into the car and wave.

He waves back with a bright smile and a hand on his new tie.