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26
Tatum
“Don’t be nervous.”
His voice is soothing, despite me being too anxious to say anything.
Holding my hand on top of his leg, Harrison says, “Look at me, Tate.”
I look at the handsome man next to me in the cab and nod, too anxious to say anything. His hold tightens, giving me security, and he kisses me on the cheek. “It doesn’t matter what they say or don’t say. All that matters is what’s right here in this car. You. Me. And this baby.”
“I can’t drink.” Panic rises inside. “I shouldn’t admit it, but I need a glass of wine or something when I’m around them.”
“The French drink wine when—”
“I’m not French, and I’m not drinking. I understand it’s a coping method.” Taking a deep breath, I exhale, seeing the restaurant up ahead. “I’ll just have to get by with . . . I don’t know. Water and you. That’s enough.”
He chuckles. “Glad I can be of service. But for real, you say the word, and we’ll leave.”
“Thank you.” I do feel calmer though I won’t truly feel better until this dinner is over. I can usually handle dinner with my parents, especially on my birthday, knowing I’ll get something fabulous or a blank check. But this dinner is different. Not only am I introducing my boyfriend to them but I’m also telling them I’m pregnant.
Sure, I could wait on the latter, but why? My friends know, so it’s only right that my parents do before Page Six does.
We walk into the restaurant, and we’re directed to the bar to wait. “What do you want to drink, baby?”
Baby . . . I remember the first time he called me that and how for that time I was with him, I felt like his. Now hearing it in public like it’s a fact, I find peace because he’s truly shown me how much he cares. It may seem like a little thing, but it’s more than I’ve ever let anyone else in. “Perrier with lemon, please.”
I remain standing awkwardly off to the side near a column as he works his way between two couples to order the drinks at the bar. It wasn’t that long ago that I was jealous of him talking to those women after The Resistance concert. Rubbing my baby, I relish in the comfort that spreads. Now, here I am about to be the mother of his child.
This is quite the plot twist.
He returns, handing me a drink. “This place is packed. Do we need a reservation?”
“My parents got one. The name Devreux carries weight in certain circles.”
He sips his drink, indifferent. None of that seems to impress him. It’s something I appreciate.
“Harrison?”
We both turn toward the sound of a woman calling his name. My instinct tells me to mark him, grab onto him, to do something to stake my claim. But that’s not something I need to lower myself to do. I hold the cold glass a little tighter when I see a blonde with legs hanging out of a very short skirt. It’s a skirt I would totally wear, which makes her more annoying.
Peeking over at Harrison, I’m thinking he’s caught in some fight or flight mode the way he’s eyeing the exit but knows he’s stuck with me.
She throws herself at him, at my baby daddy, hugging him as though she owns . . . or has had sex with him. I’m tempted to step away to give them privacy. Not really. It’s the jealousy I’m trying to walk away from, but that’s inside me, so yeah. Fun times.
Oohing over him, she says, “You look so good.”
“I did not expect to see you, Talon.”
Talon? I flip my hair over my shoulder and raise my chin.
She asks, “Why didn’t I call you back?”
“I guess because I never called,” he says and then smoothly takes a gulp of his drink. Yep, he’s all mine, ladies, and I can’t be more proud. “I thought you got married?”
“I was supposed to. Got to the altar when he presented a prenup, so I called it off.”
She shrugs like it is no big deal. “If he doesn’t trust me, we have nothing.”
“Agreed.”
Patting his chest, she laughs, but it’s fake as fuck. “So I was thinking we should give it another go.”
He reaches for my hand, but since I had kind of slinked away, he has to bend to get it. “This is my girlfriend. She’s having my baby. God, I can’t wait.”
I need alcohol for this. Hitting him with a glare for dragging me into this, I do what a good girlfriend would and face her with a smile. “Yep, we’re having a baby together. I mean, the sex is fantastic, so go me. I don’t need him for the money though, but I’m glad he’s loaded.” Poking her with my elbow, I continue, “Loaded. Wink. Wink. Nudge. Nudge. If you know what I mean. This baby didn’t happen magically.”
