Page 22 of Teasing a King

“Well,” he says, leaning forward across the table. “If either of us has a change of heart or wants to revisit their list, I think we should be able to.”

“I see,” I say slowly.

And I think I do. There’s only one item on either list that someone might want to revisit, and I doubt he’s got a problem with open communication. Is Van hinting that he doesn’t want to keep things between us platonic? I ignore the spike of desire that shoots through me at the thought. I keep my features neutral.

“Okay,” I say. “We each reserve the right to make addendums to our list as needed. With the understanding that we’ll discuss them if or when it happens.”

Van nods his agreement. We sit there in silence for a moment. “Does this mean we have a deal?” Van asks. “Are you going to move in with me?”

I keep my gaze locked on his as I nod. “Yes,” I say. “I’ll move in with you.”

Van’s smile is radiant. It lights up his entire face and I can see his shoulders relax as the tension leaves him. He’d been worried I might say no, I realize. The happiness on his face sparks my own and I find myself answering the smile.

It’s at that moment that our food arrives. I pull my gaze from Van’s and turn to thank our server, instantly feeling that strange tension ease between us. The conversation shifts to our food and safer topics like Hope and Wyatt’s upcoming wedding. Van even offers me a bite of his lasagna when he sees the way I keep casting longing glances at his plate. I wave away the offer the first time, but he insists, going so far as hold out a forkful of the pasta layers toward me. I only hesitate for a moment before giving in. I lean forward and take the offered bite.

“Mmm,” I moan around the fork as I pull back. “Delicious. I should have ordered lasagna. The eggplant parmesan is great, but sometimes a girl just needs pasta.”

I look up to see Van’s gaze locked on mine, an odd expression on his face. “Something wrong?” I ask, wiping my mouth with my napkin.

Van shakes his head and smiles, the strange expression gone. “No,” he says, gesturing toward my plate. “You want to trade?”

Surprised, I shake my head. “Oh, no. I couldn’t.”

Van reaches over and switches the two plates around, giving me his lasagna. “I don’t mind,” he says. “Besides,” he adds with a smile, “I’ve always been told it’s dangerous to deprive a pregnant woman of delicious food. Especially when it makes her so happy.”

I smile, secretly touched by the gesture. “Are you sure?”

Van picks up his fork and scoops up a bite of eggplant parmesan. “I’m sure,” he says, popping it into his mouth.

“Thank you,” I say, already anticipating the next bite of lasagna.

We spend the rest of dinner eating and talking. Van makes me laugh more than once. By the time the server asks if we’d like dessert, I find myself sad to see the night end. I’m also convinced that Van and I will be able to do this. We can be friends and co-parents. Everything is going to work out. I know it.

Chapter Ten

Van

“I’m in deep trouble,” I say, plopping my ass into the chair in the back office at Mack’s. It’s the day after my dinner with Mya and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. Wyatt looks up from the computer, a question on his face.

“Why is that?” he asks.

Rather than answer him, I toss him the folded-up paper in my hand. Mya’s list.

He picks it up, casting me another curious glance. “What’s this?” he asks, unfolding it.

“Mya’s list,” I say. “She wanted us both to make a list of our rules and expectations for her moving in with me.” I nod toward the paper Wyatt holds. “That’s her list.”

Wyatt looks at me. “Hope mentioned you asked Mya to move in with you. When were you going to tell me about this new development?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m telling you now. Do I have to run all my decisions by my brother?”

Wyatt shakes his head, ignoring my rude tone. “No, but this is a pretty big decision.”

I sigh, feeling a tinge of guilt. “I know it is. But it’s not about you. I know that sounds dismissive and I’m sorry for it. But it’s the truth. The same way your engagement wasn’t about me. I get that now. We each have our own lives, but that doesn't mean I don’t value your opinion.”

Wyatt looks at me for a long moment before he dips his head once in a nod. “I know what you mean. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I’d planned to ask Hope to marry me. You’re my twin, my best friend. I should have confided in you. The truth is, I was so nervous she’d say no.”

I scoff, waving a hand. “Please. That woman loves you just as much as you love her. You two were made for each other. No way was she going to turn you down.”

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