Page 38 of Guarded King

“Not me,” I say. “But I know a few people who probably have a long night ahead of them.”

His brows rise, but without a word, he parks in front of the shop. Inside, there are several people in line, but the servers working behind the counter move quickly, and in minutes, I’m ordering. I know how Roman likes his coffee. But I don’t have a clue about the others. Along with his, I buy three additional long blacks and ask for a container of cream to go with them, and a variety of sweeteners. I order a box of donuts and throw in a few pastries as well. I’m not sure Roman’s mom is the type to willingly bite into a donut, but hopefully she’ll find something suitable. It’s not a gourmet meal, but the coffee is fresh. That hasto count for something. With any luck, the caffeine and sugar will keep Roman and his family going until the baby is born.

As I exit the shop with the bag and the tray of drinks, Phillip leaps out of the car and comes to my aid.

“First pizza, then donuts,” he says, chuckling. “Not the boss man’s normal fare.”

“I guess he shouldn’t have told me he likes surprises then.” I flash him a grin.

“You know, I think that might be a new thing.”

“What do you mean?” I ask as he opens the door for me.

His lips quirk. “Roman doesn’t generally make time in his schedule for surprises.”

Frowning, I slide in. “Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose anyway?”

“Not when he thinks the purpose wastes his time.”

I look down at what I’m holding. “Somehow, I think he’ll have more than enough time for this one.”

His laugh is cut off when the door between us is shut. A moment later, he’s climbing into the driver’s seat. “Back to the hospital?”

“Yes please. Then I promise I’ll let you take me home so you can have a break.”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” he says. “I get plenty of downtime.” He makes a U-turn and parks near the hospital entrance again, then comes around to help me out.

“Thank you.” I hand him a paper bag with a single donut in it. “This one’s for you.”

Grinning, he takes it. “That will hit the spot.”

As I’m pulling the bag of treats from the car, Phillip clears his throat.

“It’s nice what you’re doing. Nice that you’re looking after him.” He rubs the back of his neck. “It might not seem like it, but Roman could use someone caring about him.”

I blink, tilting my head. “It’s my job.”

“Some of it is.”

There’s a weight to his words that I don’t quite understand, and it leaves me feeling strangely exposed—like he knows something I don’t.

Unsure how to respond, I just give him a smile. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

Once I’m inside the hospital again, I stop by the security desk and hold up the bag. “I’m back. Just dropping off some supplies.”

Without a word, she nods toward the same door I went through before.

I ease my way through, careful not to spill the drinks. This time, I knock on the glass door to the waiting room rather than barge in on them a second time.

Tate appears, his eyes lighting up when he sees what I’m carrying, and pulls the door open wide. “You’re an angel. I knew my brother made the right move when he kept you on. Come in.”

I maneuver past him, scanning the space until I catch sight of Roman, reclining on one of the couches, long legs stretched out. As expected, he’s got his phone in hand, but his sharp gaze is fixed on my face, the intensity there causing my pulse to race.

I suck in a deep breath and steel myself. God, I wish he didn’t affect me in such a physical way. Sometimes, when his eyes are on me the way they are now, I feel more like a giddy schoolgirl than a woman in her mid-twenties with a job to do and responsibilities to think about.

I make my way over to the coffee table in front of him and put the bag and tray down on it. “I thought you could use some fuel to keep you going.”

He doesn’t look away as I hold his cup out to him and he takes it from me. “An angel indeed,” he says, his low voice sending a prickle of warmth over my skin.

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