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I shake my head, trying to offer a reassuring smile. “Not yet, sweet girl. Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

Elena shifts her weight from one foot to the other. Her fidgeting only amplifies her current discomfort, and it causes my anxiety to stir with every sway. She takes a deep breath before speakingagain, trying to find her nerve. “I’d rather wait for Conor,” she mutters, her words soft like she feels she’s already said too much.

“What for me for what,cailínleanbh?” Conor asks, stepping into the room and startling us both. Before shehas a chance to answer, he pulls her into his arms and presses his lips to hers.

Elena pushes away from him, her eyes darting nervously between the two of us. “You should probably both sit,” she insists softly as her whole body tenses.

Conor tenderly cups her face, staring down at her with concern in his eyes. The same concern is currently causing my stomach to twist into knots. “No secrets,” he insists, reminding her of the one rule we have in our relationship. “What going on,cailínleanbh?” His question is laced with worry.

Elena’s throat bobs as she swallows. She glances at me for a second before vulnerably dropping her gaze to the floor. “I… Um…” she stammers, struggling to find the right words before blurting, “I’m pregnant.”

I blink in shock, my eyes fixed on the two of them as I try to comprehend the words she said.I’m pregnant.Pregnant. My sweet girl is pregnant. My mouth gapes open, but I find myself speechless as my mind struggles to catch up. “How?” The word falls from my lips before I can stop it.

Conor looks at me with a steadfast, serious expression. “Victoria,cailíndáigh…When a man and woman love each other very much?—”

“Shut up, Con!” I exclaim, rolling my eyes at his attempt to decrease the heaviness in the room. “I knowhow.But we’re both on the pill.”

Elena bites her trembling lip as she struggles to look up from the floor to meet my gaze. Her dark eyes are full of apprehension. Fear that I’ll be upset. That I won’t be happy. “I missed a couple when everything happened,” she quietly confesses, her voice cracking a little. “I doubled up after… but I guess it was too late.”

“You’re having my baby?” Conor asks, his hands sliding over her stomach with unimaginable joy as he pictures our new future together.It’s beautiful. His excitement is palpable, and it’s clear that despite the surprise, he’s absolutely thrilled with her news.

Staring up at him, Elena nods as tears well in her eyes. “Yes.” She barely finishes the lone word before his lips are on hers—gentle but eager. It’s overwhelming to watch, my heart swelling with love for the two of them.

Sitting across the room, I share silently in their happiness.Our happiness. This wasn’t in the plan—at least, it wasn’t for me. Not for a really long time. But if I’m being honest with myself, nota single thing with Conor—or the three of us—has even remotely followed what I had planned.

I open my mouth to congratulate her but pause when I feel a sudden tinge of panic.

How long has it been?

When was it that Conor got hurt?

He spent about a week at the club, and he’s been living here for—what?

Six weeks?

My mind races as I tryto quickly confirmthe dates. And then it hits me. “Shit!”

Elena’s eyes snap toward me, andthere is no denyingthe sadness filling them. “Are you… upset?” she asks, clearly expecting me to be angry or disappointed. “I know we haven’t talked about this, and it’s a surprise, but I was hoping…”

Rising from the couch, I shake my head. My voice soft but sure, I insist, “It’s not that, sweet girl.” Crossing the room, I reach out and take her hand. “I’m so fucking happy for you. For both of you.For us.” I swallow hard, forcing the knot in my throat to loosen—. “Just… I didn’t… I…”

“You didn’t what?” she asks defensively.

I squeeze her hand, trying to reassure her I’m not the slightest bit upset with her. “I just didn’t realize I’m late, too.” The words tumble from my mouth uncontrollably. Hearing my realization out loud crashes down on me like a ton of bricks, and my chest tightens.

Elena returns the gesture as her eyes soften. She stares at me in disbelief as my body courses with the same nervous energy I’m sureshe was filledwith a few minutes ago. A hesitant smile pulls at the corner of her mouth, and she asks, “You’re… late?”

I nod, trying to swallow the sudden wave of emotion, unsure how I feel about this and worriedabout howConor is going to react.

“You’re…” Conor stares at me with wide eyes, and I struggle to know what he’s thinking. His gaze lowers, and eyes dart between both of our stomachs as a look of absolute joy spreads across his face again. “Both of you… We’re having a family.”

He wraps his arms around us both, peppering kisses over both our faces until a small chortle rattles from him. “Something funny about knocking up both your girlfriends?” I tease.

“I was just thinking.” He shakes his head as a cocky grin spreads across his face.“Declan is going to lose his shit.”

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

CONOR

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