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I look up at River. “He says it’s ok if you come.”
“Oh good. I’d be a nervous wreck otherwise. Ok, let me run back, get the baby settled, and get changed. I’ll be back in time.”
“Alright. I’m going to shower. You have a key.”
River nods and bounds out of the room like he’s nine and I told him he gets to go to an amusement park. It’s strange, but I shrug it off. I’m glad I’ll have my brother there. The whole meeting with Evander left me unsettled, and I’m glad to have someone I love and trust on my side.
I take a quick shower and dress in a pair of black slacks with a royal-blue button-up shirt. I’m lacing my shoes up when my security system buzzes. The code is entered, so I know it’s River, and seconds later, I hear his footsteps pounding up my stairs.
River’s slightly more casually dressed than I am, but he still looks good. He’s wearing his work pants, which are a pair of khakis, and a dark-gray sweater. He’s shaved and has his hair slicked back, so we don’t look exactly the same, thank gods.
River whistled. “Damn, look at you.”
I feel myself flush as I glance in the mirror. I look fine, I think. My hair is tamed and kempt, my beard trimmed, my clothes neat. I don’t see what River is talking about.
“I mean you look good, bro.”
I blush again. “Oh, thank you. You do too.”
River grins. “Good, thanks. I left the pie by your front door so we don’t forget it. I feel kind of bad that I invited myself. I’m probably overreacting. Cooper said I’ve been getting like that lately. I’ll understand if you’d rather I stay here.”
“No. I’m glad you’re coming. Now let’s get going so we’re not late.” River rolls his eyes but follows me back downstairs, grabbing the pie as we head out. He’s used to me being anal about timliness and doesn’t argue.
Neither River nor I enjoy driving into New York, but we felt like it would be better to have our car there just in case we do need to leave on short notice. I honestly believe there will be no issues, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
As we’re driving, River glances at me. “So I hear you’re meeting with Dr. Rooke next week and a fertility doctor he recommended. I guess regardless of what happens, the first step is that Zoe needs to freeze an embryo, and since the process hasn’t even been started yet, they will get everything rolling then.” Zoe and Avery decided that they’d freeze their embryos regardless of if I am a good candidate for surrogacy. That way, if they do decide in the future to have a child, even with someone else carrying the baby, they will be ready.
“How’re you feeling? Between that and this whole thing . . .” He gestures in front of him, and I assume he’s talking about the people we’re about to meet. “ . . . that’s a lot of changes, and I know that can be overwhelming for you.”
That’s an understatement. It’s always taken me longer than most to adjust to any type of change, and there has been a lot of it over the last year, but these most recent developments are more exciting to me than anything.
“I think I’m ok, actually. I feel prepared for the surrogacy, wherever that takes us. And as far as this meeting, I think it will be good. It’s strange, but I had an unusual reaction to Evander. I’m curious to see if it’s the same this time.”
River side-eyes me as he drives, his nose scrunching in confusion. “What do you mean unusual?”
“I’m not sure. I just had this strange warm fluttery feeling in my belly the whole time.”
“Like butterflies?” River is grinning, and I’m not sure why.
“I guess? But I wasn’t particularly nervous.”
“You don’t only get butterflies from nerves, you know.”
I glance at him, and he’s smiling so hard, I’m surprised his face isn’t aching. “What else do you get them from?”
“Lake, I think you might’ve been attracted to the man.”
I frown, considering this. Have I ever really been attracted to someone before? Not to the point where I had a physical reaction, no. I can admit Evander is a good-looking man, but I know River means more than that.
“He was attractive, yes. Is that what you mean?”
River sighs like he’s exasperated. “Lake, I mean you were turned on by the guy.”
Turned on? “Like, did he give me an erection?”
River snorted. “Gods, Lake, I don’t think I’ve ever heard it phrased that way. You can be turned on without having an erection.”
“I’m not sure exactly what you’re talking about, but I will admit I’m intrigued by the man.”
