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“Just a tip, Naomi, but poker’s not your game.” He shook his head. “I’m sitting here watching your expression shift and change with every thought running through your brain. Want to tell me what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she said. Though she wanted to talk about that kiss and the way he’d pulled back and shut her down, this wasn’t the place for that conversation. Not when they were surrounded by half the town. “I’m just mentally packing, preparing for the trip tomorrow.”
“Right.” Clearly, he didn’t believe her. But he was going to accept it. “Okay. Wes said he’d have his jet ready to leave whenever we get to the airport.”
Toby had arranged to borrow Wes Jackson’s private jet for the trip to LA, and Naomi was looking forward to it. She was so nervous about this upcoming meeting that being able to pace restlessly on the flight was going to be nice.
Actually, Toby had taken not only their flight but their hotel reservations out of her hands and didn’t mention it until it was done. She should have been irritated, since she was completely capable of making reservations, but instead, she thought it was sweet. Which only went to prove that their kiss had seriously short-circuited her brain.
“You didn’t have to ask Wes for the use of his plane.”
Toby shrugged. “He wasn’t using it. Said it was no big deal, and it’s better than flying commercial.”
“It would have to be,” she said and tried a smile. His eyes gleamed in the candlelight as he watched her. “I’m glad you’re still going with me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“After the other night...” There, she’d brought it up anyway, despite vowing that she wouldn’t. But then again, it was hard not to talk about something that was constantly on her mind.
“You were right,” he said, tapping his fingers against the tabletop.
“That’s unexpected,” she said, keeping her voice even, soft, not sure where he was going with this. “But I’m always happy to hear it. What was I right about?”
He leaned closer. “About showing affection for each other. If we want to make this marriage look real to everyone, then you were right.” As if to prove it, he reached across the table and took her hand in his.
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Heat skittered up her arm to settle in her chest. His thumb stroked the back of her hand, and his gaze locked on hers. “I’m with you, Naomi. For the long haul. We made a deal, and I keep my word. You know that.”
“I never doubted it,” she said honestly. No matter what else, Toby McKittrick kept his promises. Which meant, she thought sadly, that he would not be the one to cross that no-sex line. If the line was to break, it was up to her to do it. Now all she had to do was figure out if it was what she really wanted or not.
“Good. So we’ll show affection. Make this marriage as real as we can...” He paused, then added, “While keeping to the bargain we already made.” As if everything were settled, he gave her hand a pat and let her go to sit back and pick up his after-dinner coffee.
Naomi stewed quietly. How was it possible to both win and lose at the same time?
“Naomi!” Cecelia, a wide smile lighting up her face, hurried up to their table with Deacon just a few steps behind her. “Oh, I’m so glad we ran into you tonight.” She glanced across the table. “Hi, Toby. Don’t mean to interrupt, but I just have to tell someone.”
“What’s going on?” Naomi asked, standing to hug her friend.
Cecelia gave her a squeeze, then reached back for Deacon’s hand before looking at Naomi again. “We just found out today. We’re having a girl.” Her eyes filled with tears that she blinked furiously to keep at bay. “God, I’ve been tearing up all afternoon. Can’t seem to stop myself. Don’t really want to. I’m going to have a daughter, Naomi.”
Happy for her friend, Naomi pulled her in for another hug and then kissed Deacon’s cheek. “Congratulations, you two.”
“Yeah,” Toby said, “add mine to that.” He shook Deacon’s hand. “That’s great news. Really.”
“Yeah, it is,” Deacon said, pulling Cecelia to his side and holding on to her as if worried she might try to make a break for it. “And if she’s half as gorgeous as her mother, she’s going to be a beauty.”
“Deacon...” Cecelia sighed a little and went up on her toes to give him a kiss. “When will you find out, Naomi? Can’t wait to see what you’re going to have.”
“I was thinking about being surprised,” Naomi admitted, only because she couldn’t say that up until a couple of weeks ago, she hadn’t really allowed herself to think about the baby.
“Oh, how will you get things ready?” Cecelia asked. “No, you’ve got to know. The suspense would kill me.”
Laughing, Naomi said, “I’ll think about it.”
“Okay, good. Now, we’re going to have dinner and plan our baby girl’s future, right up through college,” Cecelia said, laughing. “Oh, Naomi, you can help me with the design and furnishings for the nursery...”
“I’d love to.” It would be great practice for setting up a nursery at the ranch. She hadn’t even begun to think of that, but that was not surprising, since there’d been so much more to concentrate on lately.
