Page 64 of Office Affairs

The words hit the back of my throat and lodged there. I could do it. I could tell him a lie; that I could never love Sabrina. My breath leaked out in a slow wheeze. But I loved her. Damn us all, I loved her enough that once I apologized, I’d let her walk away if that was what she needed from me. I had ruined so much in my life. I loved Sabrina enough to want to make sure she did not become another casualty. “Fine.” Yanking open the door, I stepped into the shadows surrounding my front door and entered the condo’s dim foyer. Lights clicked on, bathing the open space in a warm glow that did nothing to appease the emptiness inside me.

Russell and Garrett followed me inside, their steps echoing down the hallways.

“When will she be here?” I paced to the far side of the room and ran both hands through my hair while attempting to mentally prepare my apology.

Sneakers squealed on the polished linoleum. “I’m here.” That low, velvety voice shot straight through me. She sounded sad, and a little angry.

I turned so fast my head swam and two Sabrinas flashed through my vision until I blinked them back into one. She wore simple jeans and a loose top that showed a stretch of her bare midriff. Both hands rested in front of her, gripping her phone so tight her hands shook. “Before anyone says anything, there’s something I need to say.” Her cheeks turned rosy, and she bit her lip in that adorable way of hers that I’d come to love.

“Do you want to sit down?” Russell took her by the elbow and she let him guide her into the living room but refused to sit when he positioned her at the couch.

Instead, she lifted her chin and tossed her hair over her shoulders, the warrior in her rising to the surface. “You need to have all the information. About everything.”

“We already know why you took the job. You don’t have to explain.” Garrett eased onto the arm of the couch and leaned forward.

Sabrina met his gaze and her blush deepened. “This isn’t about the job. Or my dad. Or any of that. It’s …” she trailed off and stared up at the ceiling, blinking furiously several times before she turned and locked eyes with me. “I told the truth when I said I was on birth control.”

My gaze dipped automatically to her stomach. Images popped through my mind in a series of rapid-fire shots. Sabrina pregnant. Russell with a child in his arms. The four of us creating a family, together with Keith and a baby.

“I’m pregnant, and I’m pretty sure it’s Chase’s baby, but I don’t know for sure. I understand that none of you signed on for this kind of responsibility. I won’t hold it against you if you want out. But this is my baby. I’m having it, and I’m keeping it.” She ran out of breath, and out of words, her voice falling silent even as she cupped her hands over her stomach in a protective stance.

Pregnant. It knocked around inside my head, driving all the air from my lungs and sending my body into a state of frozen bewilderment. I’d always wanted to be a father. We all had, but we’d given up that dream a long time ago when the business kept us from establishing any kind of real relationship.

Now I knew why. We were waiting for the right woman to come into our lives. One who could love all of us, and who we could love in return.

Sabrina took a single step back. “I’m going to go.” The quiver in her voice attempted to pull me from my stupor. “I’m sorry you found out this way.”

34

SABRINA

I wished I’d expected this. My fluttering pulse took flight as I stepped backward again. Sorrow welled in such a rush that I almost tripped over the rug behind me. My heel caught and I paused long enough to take in the sight of all three men staring at me in different states of shock.

Chase stood frozen, his mouth slightly ajar. Russell’s arms hung loose by his sides, his body poised toward me like he’d leap into motion any second. And Garrett. Sweet, temperamental Garrett sat on the arm of the couch without breathing.

“I never meant to hurt any of you.” My voice trickled through the room, my honesty pushing down all the fear and giving me strength. I meant every word. I’d never intended to hurt them.

“Don’t go.” Russell took a step toward me, then another.

Chase beat him across the room and swept me into a hug that crushed me to his chest. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t?—”

“I was an ass. I accused you and betrayed your trust. And I’m sorry.” He rocked me side to side. “Can you forgive me? Us?” His hands splayed across my back, the heat of his body wrapping around me.

“We should have given you a chance to talk earlier. At your dad’s office.” Garrett eased up from the sofa. Of the three, he seemed the most timid about approaching me.

I allowed myself a minute to soak up the feeling of Chase’s embrace, then I faced the reality of our situation. “You had every right to suspect me. I can’t blame you for being cautious. I did join Grady under false pretenses. But everything else, this thing between us, that’s all real.” I needed them to know that above everything else.

“It’s not okay for us to assume the worst of you.” Garrett traced the curve of my cheek with his index finger. “We’ve all been hurt in the past, but that prejudice doesn’t give us the right to take it out on you when you’ve never given us a reason.”

I released a tight laugh. “I wouldn’t say I didn’t give you a reason.”

“Can we stop arguing about what we should have done and focus on what we’re going to do?” For the first time, Russell sounded pissed. Curiosity drew my head around to the other side, where Russell waited with crossed arms. “I love you, Sabrina. And I promise you, from this day and all the rest of my days, that I’ll be there for you. No matter what you need.” It wasn’t anger I’d heard in his voice, I realized when he framed my face in his hands and stroked his thumbs over my cheeks. It was passion and certainty with a determination I’d only seen him exhibit one other time. “Your baby is safe with us. You are safe with us.”

“Damn. How am I supposed to top that?” Garrett tsked from behind me. “Leave it to Russell to outplay us.”

Chase’s laughter rumbled against my chest. “Guess we’ll have to prove it some other way. Maybe make a grand gesture or two.” He slid his hands around to my hips and let me go, taking a step back. “It is my solemn pleasure to promise that we will make things better. We love and respect you. You, Keith, and this new little one are always welcome in our lives, our homes, and our hearts.”

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