Page 51 of Teasing a King

Mya looks adorable as she rolls her eyes at me. “Because you keep telling me they all look the same.”

“That’s because they are the same,” I say, just to rile her. “There’s barely any difference in the three you keep showing me, and you hate the one I picked.”

Ronan laughs. “Good luck, Van.” He tips his head in Quinn’s direction. “This one has decided I’m color blind and have no taste.”

Quinn’s mouth drops open. “I said that one time,” she says. “And I apologized after. Twice, if I recall,” she adds, with a wink.

Ronan grins at her with a look I’m sure isn’t meant for public consumption. Hell, I almost blush. When did my brother turn into this smiling, teasing man? They seem to have an entire conversation without speaking before Ronan looks back over to where Mya and I are sitting.

“Van, you’re on your own with this one,” he says, putting an arm around Quinn. “I’ve learned that some battles just aren’t worth fighting.”

I give Mya a wary look. “I think I’m starting to grasp that.”

She shakes her head at me. “I don’t know why I asked you anyway. I should have gone straight to the ladies for their opinions.”

I grin at her. “That’s what I said in the first place.”

It’s Sunday and family dinner is in full swing. We’re all at Mack’s, crowded around two tables that Wyatt and I slid together earlier to form one long table. It’s noisy and chaotic and full of laughter, but it’s perfect. My gaze travels over the dining room, empty save for all the most important people in my life.

“So, Ronan,” Finn calls. “You ready to be a dad?”

Ronan’s smile widens. “Ready or not, it’s happening,” he says. “But yeah, I think so. I hope so.”

Quinn leans over and kisses his cheek. “You’re going to be a great dad.”

Ronan’s cheeks darken with a blush, and he lowers his gaze for a moment.

“She’s right,” Claire says. “You did a great job helping raise me.”

Wyatt laughs. “If she’s the standard, I hope your skills have improved over the years.”

Claire throws her roll at Wyatt who catches it before tossing it back. Finn just rolls his eyes. “I think the failure here was mine. I’m sure I told them not to throw food at each other years ago.”

Wyatt shrugs. “It didn’t stick.” I just laugh at their antics.

Hope gives him an admonishing look before turning to me. “What about you, Van?” she asks. “You’re not far behind Ronan in the dad department. Are you ready?”

I open my mouth to answer, but I don’t know what I plan to say. Am I ready? God, I hope so. Whether I am or not makes no difference. I’m going to be a father sooner rather than later.

“If I’m not, I better get there soon,” I say, smiling so it sounds like a joke.

I feel Mya’s hand on my knee. She gives my leg a gentle squeeze. I take her hand in mine and twine our fingers together. I know what she’s doing. She’s telling me that we’re in this together. Just as I’ve been telling her all along. She’s reassuring me without saying a word. Somehow, she sensed that I needed that reassurance. I look over at her and smile.

I love you. I think the words, even if I’m not quite ready to say them. It’s getting more difficult to keep silent with each passing day. There are moments when I swear Mya feels it too. Moments when I think she’ll say it. But the moment passes, and we remain silent. Like now. I take a sip of my iced tea just to stop myself from speaking. When I lower my glass to the table and look up, I see everyone seated across from me wearing matching looks of confusion and curiosity as they look at something or someone behind me.

“Where is my sister?” A man’s voice says from somewhere behind me.

I turn to look behind me, catching Mya’s startled gaze as I do. Her eyes are wide, and she looks pale. She opens her mouth to say something, but Ronan stands and addresses the stranger before she can.

“Can we help you?” he says. I recognize his cop voice when I hear it. “The restaurant is closed for a private, family dinner.”

I turn and take in the man standing behind me. He’s tall, nearly my height with broad shoulders. His blonde hair is messy as if he’s been raking his hands through it. But it’s his eyes that capture my attention. They’re trained on Mya.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mya

“Luke?” I blink in confusion. “What the hell?”

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