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I straightened the skirt of my dress. “You’re not so bad yourself.” I snagged the boots, then plucked out a pair of socks from my bag. He watched me move to the large ottoman in the middle of the dressing area. I didn’t hop around the room putting my socks on anymore.
I was too worried about losing my balance.
He waited patiently for me, then held his hand out. “Now you’re stunning with a side of perfect.”
“Laying it on thick, buddy.”
“Never. Just speaking truth.”
I narrowed my gaze, but took his hand. “Is this all right for your plans?”
“More than.”
I turned to Kinleigh. “It’s perfect.”
“It’ll do for my first preggers dress.”
I laughed and rushed to her, releasing Rory’s hand. I gave her a hard hug.
“Are you sure?” she whispered into my ear.
I nodded. I had to give us a try. Even if the smart half of me said I should be sprinting for the door. There was a smaller, more fragile piece of me that wanted to lean into the hope. To lean into the love that was already building inside me. And not just the baby.
I backed away and relinked my fingers with Rory’s. “Ready?”
He nodded. “So much.”
“Thanks, Kin.” I smiled back at her. Her posture wasn’t as sure, but she’d pasted a smile onto her face. I appreciated her protective nature. I’d taken comfort from it over the past few weeks. Maybe too much.
Rory led me down the stairs out into the blustery sunshine. The heat of the day was mixed with a charged air that lifted the hairs on my arms. His trusty sedan was parked right outside the building.
I could feel eyes on me. I turned to find my brother in the window of his shop on the bottom floor. His arms were crossed over his chest, and there was more than worry etched on his face. Not exactly menace, but I didn’t really need to poke the bear either.
Rory opened the passenger car door and helped me inside. I let him, because he seemed to need it. Even on that first night, there had been a bit of an old world gentleman inside him that was missing from most men. When he went for my seatbelt, I gave him a bland look.
“Right. Sorry. All tucked in?”
“As much as I’m ever going to be.” I placed a hand over my belly. The longing in his face made me reach for him. At least that was what I told myself when I settled his hand where mine had been. “There’s no kicking yet.”
“Right. Not for some weeks, yeah?” His blue eyes seemed even bluer today. Stormy as the air sitting over the town.
The reverence in his voice made my eyes sting. His touch was gentle, but there was no end to the wonder there.
His large hand smoothed over my new curves, the side of his fingers bumping along the edge of my bra. I resisted the urge to shiver, but it was way more difficult than I wanted to admit. For once, I was pretty sure he wasn’t trying to seduce. There was too much concentration on his face for that.
“I’ve wanted to ask questions, but didn’t want to overstep.”
“I wasn’t exactly in the correct state of mind to talk.”
“I don’t blame you, Ivy.” His gaze lifted to mine once more. “I behaved badly. All I’m asking is that you give me a chance to make it up to you.”
“Then you better feed me. That’s a good first step.”
“Right. We have reservations.”
“Where?” I snapped my belt into place.
“It’s a surprise.” He grinned down at me and closed the door.
