Page 83 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

“Yes, really.” She grins again, her dimples showing. “So, let’s stop talking about projects I don’t have and start talking about you, starting with who got you pregnant. Is there a name I should curse or put on my hate list?”

“You don’t have a hate list. You have a love list because you love too easily and end up falling in love with everyone and everything, including the tiniest animal there is.”

“Hey! If you’re talking about the kitten we found by the road, it was super cute and you couldn’t resist, either.” She gives me a pointed look. “And you’re avoiding the subject.”

She’s right. I avoid it for a few more minutes as we continue eating and I ask her all kinds of questions about her life in Europe, which distracts Sophia as she launches into tales of her adventures that sound so glamorous and extravagant. It goes on as we wash the dishes and clean the table, but I know there’s no delaying it anymore as we head toward my bedroom.

“Well, it all started with Sam…”

“Your ex? What about Sam?”

When I find out my parents didn’t tell her about Sam, I delve into that first, with my sister reacting with horrified gasps and angry growls. Then she stands up and looks ready for war.

“That bastard! I can’t believe he did that. I should break his nose for hurting you like that.”

“He’s already in jail, Soph. There’s no need for all that.”

“But still.” She sits back down with a huff. “What an asshole.”

“I know. I’m just glad that part of my life’s over.”

“He’s lucky I wasn’t here to kick him in the?—”

“Soph!”

“Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s good he’s in jail. What about the guy who got you pregnant?”

No more delays. I square my shoulders. “His name’s Christian. Christian Benson.”

“Asshole?”

“Not at all. Sweet guy. Nice guy. He’s a former Navy SEAL and he owns a protection agency. I hired him to protect me from Sam. But I already knew Christian before that.”

“Oh? You were friends through Honey Lee?”

“No. I met him at the bar in Nashville and we hooked up.”

Sophia blinks. Then her mouth drops. “Hold on. Back up. You hooked up with a stranger?”

“Yeah. Call it one of those reckless nights. We all have them.”

Her eyes gleam. “Then let’s start with that. The bar meeting leading to this.” She points at my stomach. “And don’t leave any details out, sis.”

I laugh, missing her frankness more than anything. But the laughter turns into gloom as I talk to her about how Christian and I gave in to our attraction when we were already in Sweet Haven and how it evolved from there—at least, how it evolved for me. By the time I tell her about how I discovered I was pregnant and left Tennessee as fast as my feet could carry me, my eyes are prickly and my hands are shaking.

Sophia’s quiet during it all, just listening to me. She’s always been a good listener. When I finish, she takes my hands and squeezes them.

“Can I say something?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“First off, I appreciate what Honey Lee and Aaron did for you. They’re champs and I should call them and tell them that. You were right to head to that town to lie low.”

That warms my heart. “You should call them. I’m sure Honey Lee misses you, too.”

“Hmm. As for this Christian guy…”

“He’s not an asshole, I promise you that.”

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