Page 82 of Set Me On Fire

Who would’ve told Knox and Noah. I smoothed my hands over the cute dress I’d put on, lifting one foot, then another as I twisted and turned to stare at my reflection. I was getting all dressed up and for what? Maybe none of them would turn up. Maybe they’d stand me up, leave me sitting at a table for four, the waiters all side eyeing the sad single girl who was left to eat alone.

“Who’ll tell the others, right?”

“Right.”

My hand paused when it slid to my stomach, as if that would conjure the feel of Charlie’s hand pressed against me. It felt strong, warm…

Fatherly?

Was that even a thing? Did Dad do that to Mum? That was the problem with being the youngest. I had no real memories ofthese things. I could ask them after I got off this call and… My mind was racing, considering the possibilities, because I was trying really hard not to think about the main one.

How would they respond?

I’d finished up the day having achieved a respectable amount of work, but that barely registered. Jamie had said I’d feel relieved, but instead, I just felt untethered, as if the stress of informing the guys was all that kept me from floating away. I tapped on my screen, going to my messages again in case something else turned up.

“Soo… what’re you going to do if they say they’re on board with being a part of the pregnancy?”

Jamie’s voice felt like it came from a faraway place, but I smiled at the phone.

“Let them.” That kiss, the look on Charlie’s face, it was everything I didn’t dare even think about. My smile grew wider. “I’m going to let them.”

Easier said than done.

“Hi,I’m pretty sure the people I’m meeting have a reservation?” The girl seating people at the cafe looked up at me as I approached. “I think it's under the name?—”

“Taylor.” Noah smiled when I turned around, seeing him standing there. The button down shirt and jeans were a nice touch, but I didn’t expect to see a motorcycle helmet tucked under one arm. “It’s under Noah Taylor.”

“Table for four.” The waitress shot us a polite smile as she retrieved a couple of menus, then gestured for us to follow her. “Some of your party have already been seated.”

They weren’t sitting right now. Charlie rose to his feet and so did Knox. Did he just button a tan sports coat?

“You look lovely?—”

“The dress?—”

The two guys spoke at the same time, then tried to move forward to grab my chair, but Noah was already there.

“You look beautiful,” he said as he held it out for me.

A tiny crack in what was left of my sixteen-year-old heart healed in that moment, but rather than say anything, I sat down, conscious I had every eye on me. I thought I needed to worry about the staff pitying me, but instead the girl watched wide eyed, trying to work out what was going on.

Me too, girl, I thought furiously,me too.

“So, can I get you some drinks?” the waitress said.

“God, yes.” I shook my head. “A glass of wine…” Well, if she didn’t know I was pregnant, she did now. The guys all stared at me, Knox frowning slightly. “Sorry, I meant a glass of juice.”

“One orange juice.”

The waitress scribbled that down.

“I could murder a beer. What?” The guys all looked meaningfully at Charlie, who blinked and then looked my way. Damn, was his smile always that blindingly bright? The sun was setting behind his head, turning his blond waves to red gold. “Actually, a juice sounds good. I’ll have that.”

“You know you can drink alcohol,” I said in a low voice as the waitress went to get our drinks. “Your part in this whole…” I gestured to my stomach, “thing… is done. A beer isn’t going to affect your sperm motility or anything.”

A hand slid my way before gripping mine and giving it a squeeze. Yeah, we were hiding nothing from the other diners. I looked up to find Noah staring into my eyes.

“It’s not done. I’m not done.” My teeth locked tightly at his soft words. Every muscle was tight and aching, braced for the rejection I felt was imminent, so I didn’t know what to do when it didn’t come. Stare into his eyes, apparently that was the only reasonable response. “You brought us here, somewherepublic, so if it went south, it’d keep things civil.” His grip on my hand tightened. “You didn’t need to do that. I’m in, Millie, one hundred percent in.”

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