Page 45 of On Thin Ice

Why was his apprehension endearing right now?

“What?” It was a weird request.

“Never mind. I just feel like we’ve gotten to know each other better, and we’re doing this co-parenting thing, and we’re becoming better friends, and I want to hug you.”

Do not melt.

“Um, sure,” I said.

And then I was enveloped in his warmth. His spicy scent surrounded me, and I sank into his hold. It should have felt weird. The only time we’d touched each other in the past was when we were ripping each other’s clothes off and spreading out onto a bed. Or a couch. Or a table.

Dammit.

“Stop touching her.” Ethan’s harsh voice cut through the moment. I peeked around Dom’s arm and saw my brother glaring at us just as Penny smacked him in the back of the head.

“What?” he barked, looking at his wife.

“We talked about this. Don’t be a dick.”

I bit back a chuckle.

Dom turned to face Ethan with me still in his arms. I should’ve stepped free, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that.

“You’re supposed to be on my side,” Ethan grumbled at her while continuing to glare at Dom.

“I’m on both Ally’s side and your side. When you’re being smart, that is,” she said. “Hi, Dom. Good to see you.”

“It is not good to see him. I should’ve punched him harder tonight.”

“Hi, Penny. Good to see you. Look, Harty, I know you’re pissed, but this is about me and Ally and our daughter.”

“Nowyou want to be involved?” Ethan sneered. He was really laying it on thick, and I rolled my eyes at his theatrics.

“To be fair, I just told him when I was in Denver last month,” I said, standing tall and moving out of Dom’s hold. It was better this way. I needed to have all my wits present, and they appeared to vacate me when Dom was touching me.

“Doesn’t matter. He was supposed to leave you alone,” Ethan said.

I scoffed. “I’m a grown woman, Ethan. This warning Dom away thing is getting old. And it’s clearly unsuccessful.” I gestured at my belly, trying not to smile when Penny smirked.

“So you’re a couple now? How’s that going to work?”

“No, we’re not. We’re still figuring everything out and taking it one day at a time. It’s a lot for all of us, and I’d appreciate your support.”

His face softened. “I’ll always support you, Ally. You know that. And I’m going to support my little niece without question. But him? He’s a player, Ally, always has been. He’s just going to end up hurting you like he did last time.”

“Ugh. You’re being an idiot. He never hurt me. We had fun and went our separate ways. We were both super young, and that was it. But I don’t have to justify any of this to you. Yeah, I should’ve told you Dom was the father before you got on the ice with him again, but I knew you’d freak out, so I was trying to find the right time.” Not that I was sure I ever would’ve found the perfect moment anyway.

“I’m sorry, Ally,” Dom said, looking wary when I turned my gaze on him.

“You should be,” Ethan muttered.

“Stop it,” I said, surprised that Dom hadn’t tried to defend himself against Ethan’s words.

“I’m not sorry that she’s having my baby. I’m not sorry that I’ve spent the last month getting to know her while we figured out what our next steps were. I knew she was amazing and so far out of my league from the very beginning,” he said.

“No shit,” Ethan cut in.

“Enough out of you.” Penny swatted his head again. “Dom’s the one being an adult and trying here, and you’re acting like a twelve-year-old child.”

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