Page 181 of Darling Obsession

He looks deep in my eyes. “It’s for you.”

I take a deep breath. Are we going down this road again? The one where he thinks he can just fix everything with his money?

“It’s very nice, Harlan. But?—”

“The best part is, you won’t have to deal with a lease or a boss, and I don’t even have to buy it. Because we already own it.”

“We?”

“Hello?” a woman’s voice calls out from the front.

Harlan offers me his hand again, and I take it hesitantly. “Oh, good. They’re here,” he says.

“Harlan,” I whisper, “what are you up to…?”

He leads me back out into the storefront—to find his sister coming in the front door, followed by all three of his brothers.

These are the extremely important clients he wanted me to impress?

“Oh, man,” I breathe. “You could’ve warned me.”

“I did.” Harlan glances at my red wool dress. “You look great. Very festive.”

I poke him in the back. From the look on his face, I think he’s genuinely confused about why I’m mildly panicking right now.

I may never truly understand this man.

But maybe that’s half the attraction.

I cling to his hand.

“Thank you for coming,” he greets his siblings, as I stand here, awkwardly.

“How could we not?” Jameson says sarcastically. “Top-secret, super last-minute meeting on Christmas Eve, and my fiancée isn’t invited? Sounds fun.” He eyes the single table decorated with cakes suspiciously, while the rest of them eye Harlan. And me.

Not one of his siblings can possibly miss that I’m holding his hand. I wonder if they can tell I’m rocking a little baby bump in this dress.

“Hello,” I say, giving them a little wave. Here I am again, the girl with the turquoise hair, but now I’m a brunette. Do they recognize me?

“This is Quinn,” Harlan says. “My girlfriend. And she’s pregnant.”

I just about die right there.

“He didn’t warn me he was doing this,” I say, my face heating. “I would’ve asked him not to blindside you.”

Savannah recovers first. “Quinn, it’s so lovely to see you again.” She strides forward to offer me a hug. “Congratulations! I’msothrilled.”

Then Harlan’s brothers greet me in turn. They seem utterly shocked. But they congratulate me, and Harlan. A little warily, maybe.

I can’t blame them.

“Forgive us if we seem surprised,” Graysen says. “I didn’t know Harlan was seeing anyone. And I definitely didn’t expect this when he insisted we come down here tonight.” He gives Harlan a sharp look.

“I wanted to tell you all at once, in person,” Harlan says coolly. “We’re having a baby girl.”

“Oh my gosh. Yes!” Savannah hugs me again. “Another girl in the family. It’s about time!”

I laugh, elated that she’s so happy. “I suppose it is good news.” I look at Harlan’s brothers, and I can see this all sinking in for them, a little more slowly. “You’re all going to have a little niece in a few months.”

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