Page 13 of Teasing a King

Chapter Five

Van

I pace behind the bar at Mack’s on Sunday night, full of nervous energy. I’m not sure why I’m so anxious. My family knows about Mya’s pregnancy now. Quinn and Hannah had agreed to let me tell Finn and Ronan myself. I’d met with them for lunch yesterday and told them everything. After some initial surprise, my brothers had taken the news far better than I’d expected. Ronan had been happy to have someone to commiserate with on the perils of expectant fatherhood. Finn had been surprised, but happy for me. They’d both congratulated me before teasing me about no longer being the responsible twin. Even the teasing didn’t last long, though. It had quickly been followed by questions. They’d wanted to know about my plans with Mya going forward. And I hadn’t had any real answers for them.

The truth is, I don’t know what we’re going to do. I don’t know what Mya wants. I know she wants to move to Oak Hill and raise our child together. Beyond that, I’m not sure what the future will look like for us as parents. I’m hoping Mya and I can talk about it tonight and decide on some of the specifics.

Finn, Hannah and Liam are the first to show up to dinner. Liam rushes in and calls out a quick, “Hey, Uncle Van!” before running to the back of the restaurant where the piano sits. I wave to the kid, but I don’t think he notices. Finn and Hannah follow a bit slower, glancing around with curiosity. I know they’re looking for Mya and wondering where she is. Everyone is expecting to see her here tonight after I told them she accepted my invitation yesterday. I’d done my best to ignore the knowing looks and teasing from Wyatt. I’d only rolled my eyes and told him the same thing I’d been telling myself since I’d invited her to dinner. She’s carrying my child, so she’s family. She belongs here. I ignore the little voice in my head shouting that the baby isn’t the only reason I want Mya here.

The truth is, I like having her around. I want to get to know her better. I want to tease out one of those rare smiles that make her brown eyes sparkle and crinkle at the corners. I want her to look at me the way she’d done the night of Finn’s wedding. The night she’d asked me to leave with her and changed both our lives forever.

That voice isn’t lying, but I do my best to silence it. What I want and what’s best for our baby aren’t the same thing. Mya and I have one goal now. To be great parents. Whatever I feel—felt, I correct—for her, doesn’t matter. I’m determined to be the best father I can be. That’s what’s most important. I can’t let myself become distracted by my attraction to Mya. I’m also certain she wouldn’t welcome that. She’s dealing with enough right now. The last thing she needs is to have me drooling over her.

Resolved to keep our relationship strictly platonic, I focus on greeting the rest of my family as they arrive for dinner. Mya walks in arm-in-arm with Hope, Wyatt following close behind. I feel that same pull toward her that I’ve always felt. Only this time it’s magnified. I assume it has to do with the knowledge that she’s carrying my child, but I push aside the thought for now. I try and act normal, greeting them all with a smile, but my gaze lingers on Mya. She looks nervous, but she’s just as beautiful as ever. Her dark hair falls down her back in waves and the dress she wears seems to cling to all those gorgeous curves I remember. My mouth goes dry, and I have to remember how to speak.

“Mya,” I say, walking over to greet her. Her name comes out as a strangled squeak, and I clear my throat before speaking again.

“I’m glad you came,” I say, happy that my voice sounds normal again.

She gives me a tentative smile. “Me too. Thanks for inviting me.”

Hope and Wyatt wander over to the bar, leaving me alone with Mya for a moment. The silence stretches for a moment longer than is comfortable before she huffs out a laugh.

“This is stupid,” she says, surprising me.

My face must reflect my confusion because she clarifies. “This,” she says, gesturing back and forth between us. “It’s awkward and it shouldn’t be. We’ve pretty much been as close as two people can get.” She raises her brows at me and I can’t help but laugh.

“That’s true,” I concede with a nod.

“And we’re having a baby together,” she says. “It seems silly to be awkward and uncomfortable with one another now, right?”

I’m still stuck on her comment about us having been so close, but I focus on the point of her statement instead and smile. “You’re right,” I say with a nod. “No more awkwardness. I promise.”

She returns the smile and my heart trips in my chest at the sight. “Good,” she says, oblivious to my internal struggle. “Because I hate awkwardness. I had enough of that in middle school.”

I smile, picturing her as a kid. “No way were you ever awkward,” I say.

She rolls her eyes. “Trust me,” she says, giving a theatrical shudder. “I was.”

We both laugh and I lead her toward the bar. “Can I get you a soda? Water? Tea?”

She smiles again. “Just water. Maybe a lemon?”

I think I’ll do anything to make her smile like that. “Coming right up,” I say with a grin.

True to her word, Mya somehow makes everything less awkward. It’s as though calling it out had somehow eliminated it. We fall into an easy, casual conversation about what we’ve been up to for the past few days. Mya has been searching for a house or apartment to rent, but not having much luck. I’m not surprised. The real estate market in the area has been highly competitive lately. We talk about which areas are best for children and have the better school district. We’re so lost in conversation that I miss everyone sitting down to eat. Wyatt has to call my name.

“Yo, Van,” he says. “You guys going to join us?”

I look up to see that my entire family is already seated at the long table. They’ve left two empty chairs at one end of the table for Mya and me. I smile ruefully and gesture for her to precede me. Mya dips her head once and heads toward the table.

“Hi everyone,” she says as she sits.

I’d almost swear she looks nervous again. But that seems silly. She knows everyone here. She’s even hung out with all the women more than a few times. If the ambush at Hope’s house the other day was any indication, I’d say they’re all quickly becoming her friends. But this is the first time she’s come to family dinner. I realize that being the new person to a group this size might be a little intimidating. I take the seat beside her and give her a little smile of encouragement.

“I hope you’re hungry,” I say.

Mya’s smile lights up her face as she looks at me, making something inside me still. “I’m starving,” she says.

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