Page 24 of Her Shifter Babe

I nodded, holding back a sniffle. “Yes. I’m just impressed you went out and bought this car for us. It was thoughtful.”

He laughed, and it was like music to my ears. “I’ve been waiting for you for decades, Stacey. And this baby is a dream come true. I can’t wait to meet my little girl.”

I gripped my belly, my forced laugh shuddering in my chest over the serious notes in what Tommy was saying. “Well, I can. I’m not looking forward to the birth.”

Tommy reached out and gripped my hand. “I’ll get you the best OB around, Stacey. We’ll take care of you, I promise.”

“Good, because I want drugs,” I said, “Lots of drugs. Pain and I are not friends.” I didn’t have healthcare, so there was no way I could afford a luxury birth. Not in the country, especially.

“Whatever you want, you can have,” Tommy assured me as if it were the most obvious thing in the world to treat the mother of his baby like a literal queen. “But first, dinner.”

We drove to the Steak House, and I fidgeted the whole way. I’d hoped Tommy would want to help me with our child when I went searching for him, but he was acting like he was ready to change his whole life just to be with us. It was more than I’d ever dared hope for. It was definitely in the realm of dreams...

And if this is one, I’m not sure I ever want to wake up!

Chapter 9

David

WORK PROVED THE PERFECT refuge from the crazy thoughts racing through my mind like sugar-crazed bees. It was Sunday night, so the steakhouse was at full capacity, and my staff was running around like their pants were on fire—just how I’d trained them. Fast and efficient without compromising on quality or service.

Tammy, my restaurant manager, popped her head into the kitchen and got my attention. “Chef, your brother’s here,” she called.

My heart pounded faster, my throat becoming tight in an instant. I nodded my head at Tammy before answering, buying a second to compose myself. “I reserved a booth in the back for them,” I replied.

She smiled. “I saw Tommy’s name in the schedule. I’ll seat them myself.”

I got back to work but began to make mistakes as my anxiety ramped up knowing my mate was nearby, right here in my establishment.

“Chef, this meal was returned,” Sally, one of my waitresses said, offering me an apologetic look. “They ordered the special without mushrooms.”

I stared down at the plate and sighed. “I need a break. Sous-chef! I’m going on break.”

“I’m here, Chef!” Harold stepped up next to me. “Would you like dinner brought out?”

My brother and Stacey’s meals had just gone out, so I could probably go and eat with them if I wanted to. “Yes, thank you,” I answered as I unwrapped my apron and went to the bathroom to wash my face and put on a new shirt. I was sweaty from slaving over the industrial stoves, and to be honest, I was getting more anxious just thinking about sitting within touching distance of Stacey.

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