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“I’m fine,” Trenton said. A soft smile formed on his lips. “It’s helped that she’s looked so happy.”
Malcolm drove both Celia and Jami to group twice a week. Celia said it helped her, but he still worried she was forcing some of her feelings down. She’d denied it the few times he’d probed.
Blake squeezed Trenton’s shoulder before reaching for his beer again. “So Katie entered the nesting phase.”
“That’s just Katie,” Malcolm said. “You should have been expecting it.”
“Hear me out. Katie had us rearrange the nursery four times. Like serious renovations.” Blake rolled his eyes, but his grin was back. “And she’s filled it with all sorts of stuff. Organized drawers of stuff.”
Malcolm knew exactly how his sister was. “Does she already have the color-coded calendars set up?”
“One’s by the hour. We’re supposed to keep track of shitting and eating and stuff once the baby’s here.” Blake shrugged, but his eyes softened. “Katie’s going to be a great mom.”
“Speaking of mothers,” Trenton said, eyeing Blake, “have you spoken with yours yet?”
Blake grimaced. “We discussed boundaries yesterday. She’s not talking to me at the moment.”
Malcolm snorted. “Like that’s a punishment.” He hated Blake’s mother. Serious hatred. Nothing would change his mind. The woman should have been imprisoned for what she’d put Blake through while he was growing up. “Katie must be relieved the talk is over.”
Blake blinked at him. “Katie didn’t say shit to me about my mom.” His hands gripped the edge of the bar. “No, she said everything would be fine as long as we were always there. Katie would never—” He swallowed, looking away. “No, this was all me, even if Mom doesn’t believe it. I don’t want my child around the same shit as I was. And I told my mom that.” He reached for his beer and drained it. “That doesn’t mean we won’t be there for her. But if she needs a place, she only gets to stay if she follows the rules.”
Malcolm studied his friend. “That must have been hard to tell her.” He didn’t want to destroy the effort by reminding his friend how many promises his mother had broken in the past.
“Was easier than I thought it’d be.” His eyes found Katie again, lingering on her stomach. “It’d be awesome if she tried, but I’m okay either way. I love her, but I love them more, you know?”
“We know,” Trenton said, smiling at him.
Malcolm sighed. “Hell, Blake, you’re great with my sister.” He flushed as his friend stared at him. “I’m glad you two found your way to each other.” He pointed at him. “That still doesn’t mean I need the dirty details, though, got it?”
Blake winked. “You’re missing out.”
Malcolm shook his head as he grabbed his friend’s empty glass to get him a refill.
Jami stood at the register, ringing someone up. She had those wrinkles near her eyes that said she was feeling tired. He captured her gaze, his eyebrow lifting. “Do you need me to make you sit?” he murmured in her ear. The red blush that stained her neck afterward caused his fingers to itch.
Jami’s lips pursed as she looked into his eyes. “Maybe I do.”
The words were like a stroke, and Malcolm moved to the beer tap to hide his erection. When she smiled like that, he half believed she knew what she did to him, but the other half watched her pull the stool closer and sit.
The bell over the tavern door rang. “Hey, chicks!” Erin called out as she rushed toward the bar. Erin had been his sister’s best friend for as long as Malcolm could remember and had recently married his sister’s boss.
Nicholas smiled over at his wife as he made his way toward the guys.
“Wait until you hear this!” Erin gave Katie a hug, frowning as her hands didn’t wrap very far around her friend. “Wait, did you get rounder again?”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Yeah. Good thing Blake thinks it’s sexy as hell.”
Erin laughed. “You two are hilarious!”
Malcolm didn’t think it was quite so funny when he saw the way Blake blushed and ducked his head. Blake never blushed.
“What were you so excited to tell us?” Celia asked Erin.
“We’re going on a honeymoon!” Erin said.
Katie smiled. “That’s a great idea. I loved mine.”
“Well, yeah, sure, Kay, but I still don’t believe you two saw anything in the Caribbean besides each other. I mean…” Erin waved her hand to encompass Katie’s stomach.
