Page 36 of Interception

“Your wish is my command, fair maiden. I’ll request all your favorite dishes from that great place, I can’t remember the name of it. It’ll come to me. This will be a quiet night with friends.”

“You really think it’s going to be quiet after we tell them? I think Faith is going to scream so hard it’ll shatter all the glass in the house.”

“Well, we’ll deal with it. Do you want to tell them, or would you rather I do it?”

“I’ll do it.”

* * *

With the excitement of the scan, Zee was exhausted by the time we got back to my place. I sent her to lay down for a while before Faith and Hunter arrive. She’s been out for two hours, a soft snore escaping her now and then. I’m thinking naps are going to become a regular occurrence in the coming months. I mean shit, she’s growing two people. Twins. How the heck did that happen?

When the doorbell chimes, Zee begins to stir. I’ve been lying next to her for the past hour, just staring at her. It sounds creepy when I think about it, but I’m just in awe of her. I’m so fucking happy about making babies with her. Sure, this isn’t how I thought it would happen, but Zee is definitely the girl for me. The way I see it, this is just an accelerated timeframe. I know Zee doesn’t see it that way, so I’m just going to have to convince her.

I open the door and welcome our friends and the mountain of food I had them pick up on the way—all of Zee’s favorites. Faith has a bottle of wine in each hand as she brushes past me in search of her partner in crime.

“Zee, where you at? I need a bottle opener.”

“She’ll be out in a minute. She was taking a nap,” I say it before I think to filter myself.

“A nap? You really must have worn her out with your sexcapades. Zee never takes naps.”

“Sure, let’s say that. I totally wore her out today.” It’s not technically a lie. I did wear her out with the news of not one but two babies on the way. I still have the scan pictures in my back pocket—two tiny figs.

Hunter and I set everything out on the table, grabbing plates and chopsticks for everyone. Faith immediately goes for the wine glasses while I instinctively head for the ginger ale. It’s one of the few things we’ve found that settles Zee’s stomach.

When she emerges from the bedroom, she looks exhausted. Faith pulls her into a bearhug. “I brought your favorite pinot, and your man ordered everything on the menu at the takeout place. I hope you’re hungry.” There’s a moment when Zee’s eyes meet mine, and I know exactly what she’s thinking. She’s about to hurl.

“Faith, can you grab some napkins for me?” With her attention diverted momentarily, I grab the ginger ale and take it to Zee.

“Are you okay?” I whisper under my breath.

“I don’t think I can eat.” Shit. Zee sitting at a table without shoveling food in her face will be a dead giveaway. The girl can put more food away during dinner than most of the guys on the team. I love that about her. She’s not afraid to eat. It sucks when you take a woman out for dinner, and she nurses a single lettuce leaf with a glass of water. There’s nothing attractive about that. If anything, it’s a total turn-off for me. I don’t want someone sitting across from me, staring longingly at my food.

“Is it the smell? What can I do?” She takes a swig of the ginger ale, but she looks pale.

“I just need a minute. Maybe I’ll go to the bathroom really quick. Keep them busy. I wasn’t planning on telling them the second they came in the door. I need to get through dinner at least.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. Anything you need, I’m your guy.”

“Thank you. You’ve been so great about all of this, taking it in your stride.”

“That’s my job.”

Faith interrupts us, handing Zee a glass of wine. “What are you two whispering about?”

Zee doesn’t respond, but I see the moment she catches a whiff of the alcohol. It turns her stomach, and she thrusts it at me before running down the hall to the bathroom.

“Questionable lunch. She was feeling a little off earlier.” I don’t think Faith believes me for a second. She gives me a death stare before following after her friend. There’s nothing I can say right now without incriminating myself.

Hunter gives me a sideways glance as I take a seat at the dining table. “Everything okay?”

“Sure, why wouldn’t it be?”

“I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re bullshitting me, bro.”

“Am I that obvious?”

“What’s going on?” He has his suspicions, they’re written all over his face. I’m not the only one who has a shit poker face.

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