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“A man who is crazy in love, but you wouldn’t know anything about that.”
If he’s trying to make me feel bad that Kiera and I are taking a very nontraditional route, it’s not working. “I’ll be glad to pick up the ring for you.”
“Thanks,” he says and then pushes up out of the chair, taking his club soda and walking farther back into the plane.
I know the dude is now going to be in my life forever because he’s related to my kid, but I’m not sure we’ll ever get along all that well because he’ll always see it as a betrayal that I went after his sister after he warned us all off.
CHAPTER 22
Kiera
It’s frigid outsideas we walk from the car to the restaurant. Bain and I walk hand in hand and that’s such a new and unsettling experience, my tummy flutters with every step we take. We’ve always been affectionate toward each other, but that usually came in the form of touches and cuddles post-sex. We’ve never been public before tonight and I wonder if he feels as weird as I do about it.
We enter the restaurant with him holding the door open for me. It’s a gesture that before tonight I wouldn’t have thought twice about—just a kindness extended. But tonight it seems romantic and protective.
I’m not sure who chose this steakhouse—Camden or Bain—but it was their mutual idea for a double date tonight. The atmosphere as soon as we step in is warm and inviting. Soft clinking of glasses, murmured conversations and candlelight. The décor exudes sophistication and elegance with crisp linen-covered tables set with fine china. The aroma of wood-fired steaks and spices waft through the air, mingling with the subtle fragrance of freshly cut flowers placed on each table. The restaurant hums with a subdued activity as the waitstaff glide among tables and speak in hushed tones. Lovers hold hands as they converse.
It’s the perfect place for a romantic meal and I suppose it works well for a double date. Camden and Danica are here already and we’re led back to their table. As we maneuver through, I’m hyperaware of the people who gawk. Women drooling over Bain, men looking in awe. Tonight he’s dressed in a pair of dark jeans with a fitted black sweater and a black leather jacket, giving him an effortlessly cool vibe. He’s beyond hot and it’s not lost on me that women want him and men want to be like him. It makes me squeeze his hand tighter and he looks over his shoulder at me curiously. I just shake my head and smile in return.
Camden and Danica stand as we get nearer. Both are in winter casual—jeans and sweaters—and we all engage in hugs for the girls and fist bumps for the guys. I went with skinny jeans and ankle boots tonight, topped off with an oversized cream-colored sweater. Bain helps me out of my cranberry-red wool coat with big black buttons and I shiver when one of his fingers caresses my neck as he slides it off. He folds and places it over the back of my chair before holding it out for me to sit down.
I had no clue he was so well mannered, even though he’s never personally done anything to make me think he was a barbarian. It’s just a completely new journey tonight and I’m digging it.
A waitress dressed in black slacks and a starched white shirt approaches with a smile, handing us the menus. She expertly describes the chef’s specials, recommends their signature steak dishes and takes our drink orders.
Camden and Bain both go with bourbon while Danica orders a red wine. It’s water for me and I’m astonished when Bain says, “On second thought… I’ll just have water.”
“No,” I exclaim as I touch his arm. “You get a drink. You don’t have to go without just because I do.” The waitress smiles knowingly and Bain looks unsure. It’s beyond sweet that when he said he’s going through this with me that he’s taking it to the extreme. I pat his arm. “I promise. Get your drink. It won’t bother me in the slightest.”
He still looks unsure but nods to the waitress his assent, adding, “And water too.”
Danica and Camden duck their heads in amusement and then we all take a moment to peruse the menus. My eyes rove over the mouthwatering descriptions of perfectly cooked cuts of meat and exquisite side dishes. I’ve had a little nausea the last few days, but I can’t say it’s necessarily morning sickness. In my research, it’s possible to start feeling some effects if I’m indeed going to be plagued with them, but it could also be just nerves because my world has been upended. Regardless, tonight I’m hungry and ready to chow down.
“Looks like we’re in for a treat,” I say, my voice filled with anticipation. “I think I’m going to get the filet topped with crab.”
“I was looking at that too,” Danica says.
Bain leans over and points to his menu. “Want to get this tomahawk rib eye for two? We can add the crab on top.”
“Oh yeah,” I say, mouth watering. I do love me a good rib eye.
“Jesus,” Camden groans with faux disgust. “You two are fucking adorable.”
Danica laughs and Bain smirks. I don’t know how to react to that because somehow… despite this being new and a little disconcerting, it also feels right. So much so that it doesn’t feelcuteoradorable, two words that imply it’s not deep.
A sudden realization washes over me, flooding my senses with a profound understanding. The emotions I harbor for Bain are pretty intense and I think layers are being peeled back, revealing a more intense connection than either of us understood.
All exposed because we’re going to share a dish.
Camden puts his menu down and leans back, a cocky smile on his face. “I knew when Danica and I busted you in the hallway at the gala there was something more than what we saw.”
My eyes flare with surprise. He sawmore? I don’t know how because, at that time, I’m pretty sure Bain and I were only thinking about fucking each other. But maybe there was more and we were just too afraid to give it any credence.
Regardless, things are progressing fast since I found out I was pregnant and it feels a little like being caught in a turbulent storm. Dangerous and exciting all at once.
The waitress comes back and we give our orders. For a while, we discuss hockey, a given when you date someone who plays the sport. I grew up listening to Drake prattle on and on. The result is that I can hold my own with any person who thinks they know the sport on a professional level. Danica is the same, so both of us are active participants.
“You two should come watch Travis play,” Camden says. “It’s amazing the talent that kid has. Just like his dad.”
