After that minute, Nick cleared his throat and answered gruffly, “I’m honored you’re gonna be an official member of the family.”

Vance jerked up his chin.

“She’s pregnant, isn’t she?” Nick whispered.

Vance said nothing, just held his gaze.

Nick explained. “I went over the other day. Let myself in. Heard her puking in the bathroom.”

His felt his spine snap straight. “Jules was puking?”

Nick’s brows went up. “She hasn’t told you?”

“No,” Vance grunted.

“Well, I didn’t either.”

Vance nodded to affirm he got what Nick was saying.

“She’s worried,” Nick told him.

“She would be,” Vance replied.

“She’s also worried that you’ll be worried.”

Fuck.

Nick pushed from the counter, approached, clapped him on the arm then clasped him there.

“It’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna be amazing. She’s not going to be able to hide getting sick forever. She’ll settle in. It’s all gonna be as it’s supposed to be.”

Yes. It absolutely fucking was.

“Yeah,” Vance agreed.

Nick clapped him on the arm again.

Vance headed to the door, saying, “I’ll let you get on with your day.”

“Vance?” Nick called when he was standing in the open door.

He turned back.

Nick’s voice was back to gruff when he said, “I’m so damned happy for you. For you and Jules. Damned happy.”

Nick swallowed.

Then he finished.

“And Reba would be too.”

“Thanks, man,” Vance said quietly.

Nick nodded.

Vance and Boo went out the door.

And he took his little furry boy home.