Page 49 of Secret Twins for the Orc

I sigh and lean back against my seat. Alright, I’m getting up. I’m coming for you, babies.

It’s been more than wonderful to have them back in my arms again. Suddenly, I have all the energy in the world to cook a simple dinner every night again to make sure my little ones are getting all the nutrition they need.

I’m just on the cusp of standing when my phone buzzes with a text, andIdo not hope suddenly and fervently that the orc plaguing my thoughts is on the other end of the message as I snatch it up. That’s not what goes through my mind, not at all.

I unlock and check. It’s Rhokar.

I tell my stupid heart to shut up and stop beating so frantically at the fact that he’s finallymade a move to reach out after four freaking days of silence.

I tap open the message slowly, pretending to myself that I have zero desire to rip through the motions as quickly as possible. It’s a short, simple text.

Meet me at Bitter Sweet.

A deadpanned expression falls across my features, and I stare. After all this time, thisis what I get? A five-word demand for a coffee date?

I drop my phone back on the table.

“Meet me at Bitter Sweet,” I huff in the deepest, most mockingly stupid voice I can manage. “That’s all you’ve got to say? You freaking…orc!”

I glare at my phone, lift my chin, and then carefully begin to pack away my things. Let him sit on read, the jerk.

A few seconds later, my phone buzzes impatiently again, and I grab it with a roll of my eyes.

Today, after work.

“Yeah, I gathered that much, genius,” I mutter to myself, and still refuse to respond as I clip my way across the office, head held high as if he was here to see my attitude.

When my phone buzzes for a third time I don’t need to unlock it, since the screen hasn’t even had time to power off yet.

Do you know where that coffee shop is?

“Okay, fine, I’ll respond, you impatient alphahole,” I mutter as I lock up, but I get another buzz before I even pull out the keys.

They close at seven. Don’t dawdle.

“Oh, my god!” I cry, hitching my handbag higher and starting to respond, before dropping the keys in the mad juggle between bag and phone. By the time I pick them back up, there’s another buzz.

I’m on my way to pick you up now.

I start typing my response with another eyeroll, before he explodes and Hulk-smashes his way through town to come get me.

I’m picking up the twins from daycare. I’ll bring them with me. Wait for me there.

Ass.

***

I push open the white-washed wooden door to Bitter Sweet with my hip, and roll the twins in on their stroller backwards. I’ve already caught a glimpse of Rhokar at the back, in his suit, holding a coffee cup in his hand, one ankle crossed at his knee as he waits.

But I look away quickly and pretend that I haven’t seen him as I maneuver the stroller, taking a steadying breath.

Why am I feeling nervous?

A millisecond later he appears at my side, a hand pressing lightly at the small of my back. “Do you—”

“Jeez, Rhokar!”

“—need help with that?”

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