Page 97 of Simply Yours

Matthew sat in silence, slumped in his seat, nodding slightly. His expression was fractured, lost in thought.

Jason, watching him carefully, hesitated before resting a hand on his brother’s forearm. “You okay?”

“I think I need to be alone.”

Caitlin reached for his hand. “If you ever need to talk, we’re here.”

Matthew let out a breath, shaking his head. “I know. That’s why I came. But right now, I think I have some self-introspective… whatever to do. You know, ‘focus on me because I’m awesome’ stuff.”

Jason scoffed. “Uh, that’s… not exactly how that works.”

“That’s a great idea,” Caitlin said, playing along, watching as Matthew sprang to his feet. He gestured vaguely toward the coffee cup before turning to them.

“By the way, this coffee is cold, and you should plant hydrangeas out front. Girls like hydrangeas. And you can put the coffee grounds on ‘em, make ‘em all pretty and such.”

Jason and Caitlin exchanged a bewildered look as Matthew strode out the door without another word.

Jason exhaled heavily. “That’s not how self-introspection works.”

“No,” Caitlin agreed with a small smile. “But for it to actually work, he has to find his own way.”

Jason blinked. “Wait—he’s in a relationship? My Matthew? The same Matthew who doesn’t believe in relationships?”

“Not yet,” Caitlin said knowingly. “But I think he’s going to try.”

“Withwho?” Jason sputtered, completely thrown. “He’s been with half the women in this county. Who could possibly tie him down?”

Caitlin laughed softly, shaking her head. “The one who told him ‘no.’”

Jason gaped. “Well, I’ll be darned.”

Caitlin chuckled before sobering, her heart thudding at the realization that now was her moment. She had waited all day for this.

“We’ve been married almost a year now, Jason,” she said, shifting the conversation. “You still don’t understand women?”

Jason grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Nope. I’m just grateful you look my way.”

“Oh, Ilook, husband.” She stood, moving toward him, her lips curving. “Ilookall the time.”

Jason’s grin widened. “Oh yeah?”

“Mmm-hmm. In fact…” She trailed off, giving him a pointed glance. “I need to talk to you about something that’s going to be delivered thanks to all that ‘looking’ I’ve been doing.”

Jason’s brow furrowed. “Did you order something fun for me to look at? You know I love it when you wear something lacy…”

She huffed a laugh, shaking her head. “No, it’s not something that’ll be here for a while.”

“Ah, a preorder. Got it.”

Caitlin stared at him, stunned at his cluelessness. With a sigh, she turned, disappearing into the bathroom. A moment later, she emerged, the pregnancy test in her hand. Holding it up like an unspoken proclamation, she watched as realization dawned across Jason’s face. His mouth parted, his eyes widened, and then?—

“You’re pregnant?” he breathed.

She smiled. “You really are clueless, aren’t you?”

“Oh, Catnip,” he whispered, pushing to his feet, enveloping her in his arms. And just like that, her version of happily ever after began.

* * *

---