Page 134 of Forgot to Tell You Something

Whether it’s the urgency in his voice or the fiery set of his gaze, I can’t be sure. But the tears reappear for about the twentieth time today.

“Tally, talk to me.”

I wipe my eyes, unsure where to begin. Unsure of everything at this point. “I’m a big bucket of emotions all the time. Damn hormones. But the truth is that I’m terrified.”

He grasps my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Of what, Darlin? You’re going to be the best mother in the world.”

I know he means what he says, but that only opens the faucet on the tears. “I wish I had your confidence. I’m overwhelmed at the idea of doing this on my own.”

“What do you mean?”

I offer a shrug, because I do not want to have this conversation—not here and certainly not now.

“Tally, I’m right here.”

See? I knew he would say the right thing. If only it made the situation easier. “I won’t do that to you, Owen.”

“Do what?”

“Tie you down. You were engaged only a couple of months ago. The last thing you need is to have a child with some woman you barely know.”

The grip on my hand tightens. “I know every inch of you—mind, body, and soul.”

I snatch my hand back, wiping away the tears, yet again. Damn things just keep coming. “I’m reassuring you that I don’t expect you to be involved. I’m letting you off the hook.”

“Christ, you love that term. Two things—one is that I plan on being very involved in your life, and two, stop letting me off the hook. This is the most amazing news. You’re going to be a mom. I’m going to be a dad. I plan on being knee-deep in everything. So, get used to it, Darlin.”

“This situation is complicated enough, with your and Charlotte’s relationship—”

Owen’s fist pounds the table, making me jump. “Charlotte and I are not together.” His hands wrap around my shoulders, his eyes daring me to look away. “There hasn’t been anyone since you, no matter what you think. Charlotte knows how I feel about you. It’s hardly a secret.”

“Is that why you kissed me last night?”

Owen shakes his head, a smile breaking across his face. “I kissed you because I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t. Charlotte knew how much I loved you the night of the dinner. She bitched about how I was only focused on finding you, and once I did, that I couldn’t stop staring at you.”

I don’t know why, but the idea that Owen flaunted his desire for me in front of Charlotte restores a bit of my self-confidence. Hey, it’s taken a hell of a beating lately. “I was looking at you, too. Not to state the obvious, but you are pinup calendar hot, Owen.”

“Is that right? Tell me more about how hot I am.” I know that look, complete with his sexy grin. That look tells me he’s picturing me naked, riding him into oblivion.

A tempting idea, really.

“Nice try. I’m not stroking your ego.”

The grin widens at my unintentional sexual innuendo.

“Don’t even say it, Owen.”

“I was just wondering if other body parts were admissible.”

I try to hold back my smile, but it’s an impossibility. “And yet, you said it.”

He holds up his hands in surrender, chuckling his defeat. “Have you had your first ultrasound?”

I shake my head, dragging my mind—and hormones—out of the gutter. “It’s tomorrow, actually.”

“What time?”

“Five-thirty. You don’t have to—”

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