Page 67 of (Un)Rivaled

But she was trying, especially with Calla, as she was expecting a daughter of her own. It gave them something to bond over, I guess.

I looked at my little sister, noticing her bump had fully popped. Although she was just entering her third trimester, she was still glowing. “How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Like a beached whale,” she answered. “But good. I’m starting to get tired quickly, but I guess that’s to be expected. Only a few more months to go.”

“How’s Theo holding up?”

Calla playfully rolled her eyes. “He threatened the contractor to make sure the house would be done on time but then decided we needed a state-of-the-art home security system, which might cause a delay.” She rubbed her belly. “He’s lucky I love him as much as I do. Otherwise, I don’t know how I’d live with him.”

“He’s just excited,” I said.

“Just you wait,” Calla teased. “You think Theo is bad?Wait until you get pregnant. Gray is going to cover you in bubble wrap and follow you everywhere.”

“Excuse me?” I choked out. “That’s not something we’re even thinking about, much less actively trying for. I don’t even know if Gray wants kids.”

“I know, but it’s fun to think about.” Calla’s face scrunched up. “Wait—do you want kids? I feel like you’ve never mentioned them before.”

“I…I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I’ve never really allowed myself to think about it. Before, when I was at the firm, I pushed it out of my mind, trying to convince myself my career was enough. It wasn’t like I was with someone or even thinking about settling down.”

“But now?”

“I don’t know,” I answered quietly. “I think I could see it if it’s with Gray. I don’t think I would have kids with anyone else.”

Calla squealed and wrapped me in a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you, Dev. You love your husband! I know it’s supposed to be that way, but you guys always did things a little out of sequence. Now look at you, married and finally in love.”

“Okay,” I said, patting her arm. “Yes, we are married, but we’re notmarriedmarried, you know?”

“No,” Calla said. “I literally have no idea what that means.”

“It means, yes, technically, on paper, we are married. But we missed all the steps. Dating, getting engaged, planning a wedding Cher didn’t officiate.” I stepped back. “It feels like we missed all those important moments?—”

“Dev.”

“And sure, I love Gray, and of course, I want to be with him long-term, but I also want all those things. With him.” Igroaned, dragging my hands over my face. “Does that make any sense?”

“Makes a lot of sense,” a deep voice called out from behind me. I stilled, instantly recognizing the deep timber of Gray’s words.Please kill me now and bury my body where no one will ever find it.He stepped up closer to me, so close, I could feel his heat at my back. As he placed a hand on my shoulder, he said to Calla, “Mind giving me a minute with my wife?”

My sister just smiled at the two of us, beaming back like we were the cutest thing she’d ever seen. When she left the dining room, Gray shifted his hand down to my elbow and twisted me to face him. I kept my eyes down, too scared to look up. I didn’t know what I would find there. Hurt? Confusion?

I didn’t have long to think about it, because Gray’s fingers found my chin and tilted it upward until our eyes were locked. I almost gasped at the fire in his expression, much like the first time we’d kissed. It was the kind of fire that incinerated my walls and destroyed any obstacle in its path. I might have been ice, but Gray was all flames, and I was happy to melt at his feet.

“Something you want to ask me, Devyn?”

“Nope,” I said, my voice suddenly several octaves higher. “Just wondering what you’re doing here.”

“Thought I’d stop by and make sure everything was going well. You seemed nervous this morning.”

I placed a hand on his chest and lifted to kiss his cheek. “That’s sweet, but you didn’t have to go out of your way. Things are going…as well as could be expected. Laurel’s been with my mom the whole time, so Calla and I have been hanging out here.”

He nodded then leaned in to kiss my forehead. “Never out of my way for you, Ace.”

I soaked in his warmth for a couple more moments before my mother and sister came around the corner. My mother, Diane Winters, was not considered a warm woman. We had that in common. She showed minimal affection, deciding to show how much she cared by nitpicking and pushing her children toward unattainable goals.

So I was very surprised when she came over and hugged Gray. He must have felt the same, because, although he returned her embrace, his eyes widened in shock over her shoulder. After a long moment, she pulled back. “It’s very good to see you, Grayson.”

“You too, Mrs. Winters. And it’s just Gray.”

She clicked her tongue, probably because Gray had forgotten how much she loathed nicknames. My mother stepped closer to me and took my hand. “My daughter says the two of you are dating. I’m very happy for you. I always thought you’d end up together years ago, but I’m glad you both waited until you were old enough to know for sure.”

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