Page 34 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

The sexy billionaire in front of her rushed to her side to help her out of the car. To help her out of herfuckingcar.

I might just swoon like a debutante.

It was such a surreal moment that Allison felt her pulse rate spike. She tried to play it cool as she fumbled with her off-white pants. She thanked Angelo quietly, her voice barely a whisper, too scared to speak up in case she made an absolute fool of herself.

Angelo nodded politely, his eyes sparkling with amusement, and placed a large hand on the soft part of her back to help her. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through her, making her forget about the hot flashes and the sweat. “I’ve got you,” he said reassuringly, guiding her with an ease that made her feel oddly safe.

As his large hand rested on her back, she felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over her. It was one thing to feel confident in her own skin; it was another to have him—Angelo, the gorgeous father of her child with that killer smile—grazing his fingers across the very areas she often tried to hide.

Standing at five foot seven inches, Allison was anything but short, but her height didn’t hide the fact that she weighed more than she should. She was one of the luckier plus-size women, with wide hips, big breasts, and a thin waist that helped her flaunt her figure with flattering clothes. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was too curvy in places she shouldn’t be. The muffin top and small back rolls were a constant reminder thather body had its own agenda, and right now, the sinfully hot guy she was obsessed with was touching said back rolls.

She instinctively moved away from his touch, creating some distance as if it could somehow erase the blush creeping up her cheeks. Angelo tensed, his hand flexing slightly as if he wanted to reach out for her waist again but thought better of it. It was a moment that made her heart race for entirely different reasons.

“Sorry, I—” Angelo started, looking momentarily flustered, which was both adorable and oddly reassuring. The idea that someone like him could feel uncertain, even for a second, made her feel a little better about her own awkwardness.

“No, it’s fine!” Allison hurried to reassure him, a bit too eagerly. “I just… I’m just a bit warm.” She gestured vaguely, praying he would drop the issue.

Thankfully for her, he did.

They walked on quietly, both of them seemingly afraid to break the silence that had settled around them. It was as if they were tiptoeing through a moment that felt too delicate to disturb.

When they finally reached the doctor’s office, the assistant looked up from her desk and smiled brightly. “Oh, hello! What a beautiful couple you are!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with cheer.

Allison’s heart dropped. Angelo glanced her way, and she opened her mouth to clarify that they were not, in fact, a couple. But before she could even form the words in her mind, he spoke so fast it caught her off guard.

“Thank you. That’s what I always tell her, but she doesn’t believe me.” He smirked at the young woman, giving her a look that clearly said, ‘my girl is crazy,’ which sent a thrill through Allison that she couldn’t quite process.

She elbowed him in the ribs, her instinct to correct the misunderstanding kicking in, but he didn’t even flinch.

Ow! That fucking hurt. Is he made of stone?

She rubbed her elbow and shot him a glare. Seriously, did the man have any sensitivity at all?

Angelo’s expression was a mixture of amusement and mischief, as if he found her attempts at asserting herself hilariously futile. “She’s just a bit shy,” he added, his eyes sparkling with humor. “But I think she’s beautiful, don’t you?”

The assistant’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she beamed at Allison as if she were the star of a rom-com. “Oh, absolutely! You both are just stunning together!”

Allison felt her face heat up. “Uh, thanks,” she mumbled, caught somewhere between flattered and embarrassed. She shot another look at Angelo, who was clearly enjoying himself far too much.

“See?” he said, leaning closer, his voice low. “Even strangers can see what I see.”

Great, now she felt like a beetroot. “Okay, stop,” she whispered, laughing nervously. “This is getting ridiculous.”

But deep down, a part of her was secretly reveling in the moment, enjoying the playful banter that somehow made the anxiety of the day seem the tiniest bit lighter. As they waited for the doctor to call them in, she couldn’t help but feel a flutter of something—was it excitement? Or maybe just a hint of something deeper? She wasn’t quite sure, but she was willing to find out.

The assistant ushered them into Dr. Malory’s exam room and explained what Allison needed to do. As she listened, a sudden realization hit her like a ton of bricks: she would have to lower her pants in front of Angelo. An exasperated breath escaped her lips.

Well, that sucks. Could this day get any worse?

She turned to Angelo to request some privacy, but instead, she found him already looking away, his back turned respectfully. Itwas surprisingly considerate of him, and for a brief moment, she felt a swell of gratitude—and a hint of embarrassment for her earlier anxieties.

With a deep breath, she lowered her pants until her lower belly was exposed. As if that wasn’t already mortifying enough, she laid down on the exam table and tried to distract herself.

She shifted on the cold table, trying to focus on the tiny life growing inside her rather than the awkwardness of the situation. She always hated going to the gynecologist.

Glancing over at Angelo, who was still facing the wall, she couldn’t help but admire how thoughtful he was. It was nice to know he wasn’t just some hotshot billionaire; he had a genuinely respectful side too.

“You can turn around now. I’m covered,” Allison whispered, unable to look at him directly. “Thank you for… that.”

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