Page 292 of As The Shifter World Turns

“Thanks for that image,” Micah said as he came into the kitchen for more coffee.

Archer grinned. “Not frustrated as in you’re not getting any. Frustrated because you’re not pregnant.”

“That.” I waggled my finger. “That’s exactly it.”

“Sorry,” Archer said. “What does Nate say?”

And there we were back to me not venting my frustrations to my mate.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day is his motto,” I said.

“You know what you have to do?” Micah told me.

“I do. Have more sex.”

Archer giggled. “Talk to Nate.”

That was everyone’s advice. And while Neil was a dad—though he’d never given birth—if I asked for his opinion, it’d be the same. “Talk to your mate.” I had to get used to sharing with Nate instead of bottling up my feelings.

“Fine. I’ll do it tonight.”

I was waiting with dinner ready and a cold beer when Nate walked in the door. “Ummm I think I love you.”

I was never great at timing and my mate had a mouthful of chicken when I blurted out, “We need to talk.”

Neil

“Have fun.” I waved off Martin and my boys. Toby kissed my cheek and Charlie yelled, “Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye,” repeatedly, accompanied by more waving.

I stayed on the sidewalk until the car was out of sight and then taking a deep breath, I raced up to our apartment, made coffee, got the TV remote and snacks and got on the bed. It was Saturday and a me day. No kids, no work. Just me being alone and doing exactly what I wanted, which was nothing.

Thinking about Daire and Nate trying to have a baby, I hoped they relished their alone time now before Daire got pregnant because once the baby arrived, there’d be no more sleeping in, no long, lazy Sunday brunches or having sex in the car—I never understood that one—or binging their favorite TV series over an entire weekend.

At one point, the snack packet slipped from my hand and I must have dozed off. When I woke up, it was late-afternoon. Wow, I really needed a nap. But when I focused on the time, I recalled Martin telling me they’d be home by three, and I checked the phone. No messages.

I should get up and think about dinner. I yawned.Or not.

But as the minutes ticked by and there was no message from Martin, I texted.What time will you be home? If he was driving, Toby would normally respond.

A sliver of doubt slipped into my head and I pushed it away. Irresponsible Martin from months ago might have left the kids in the car while he raced into a shop and then forgotten about them. But those days were long gone. He was the man I knew when I first met him. Ummm yeah he was,he is, but the first two times we met, I ran away from him. That wasn’t his fault though.

I got up and occupied myself by staring into the fridge. That took up thirty seconds. But there was nothing that sparked my interest so I texted Martin to pick up take out. I continued with,Burgers and fries and I’ll make a salad. It’d be the kids’ once-a-week crappy food treat.

Five minutes later when there was no reply I called Ivor. Martin was running Ryder’s company for Ivor, so he and my wolf shifter friend were in constant communication. Even though Ryder’s health was improving, Martin was still working at the job Ivor offered him.

“Hi, Neil. What’s up?”

I picked a piece of fluff off my shirt and my voice wavered as I asked, “You haven’t heard from Martin this afternoon, have you?”

Ivor’s wary voice echoed through the phone. “Noooo. Why?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” It wassomethingand my friend called me out.

“You wouldn’t be phoning me on a Saturday about your mate for no reason if you weren’t worried. Spill.”

I did. Told him everything which wasn’t much except they were late and he wasn’t answering his phone. Now my mind was going to places it shouldn’t.

“What about Toby? He has a phone.”

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