Page 112 of Conquering Oz

Maybe he should’ve been. He’d never seen this prospect for himself. Nor did he foresee settling down and falling for a woman. Life in the Underground wasn’t generally conducive for a traditional family life. But he’d change that.

“No. Are you?”

“I don’t know.” She folded her arms, rocking back on her heels. “I always thought I’d have children, but as I got older, I guess I just assumed that ship had sailed.”

“Is that a yes or no?”

Her lips twitched. “A bit of both. Nervous that I am pregnant, and nervous that I’m not.”

“Go.” He said.

She nodded and walked to the bathroom, disappearing through the door. Oz stood up, watching the doorway. He wasn’t sure what he expected. He’d never been in this position. Fatherhood wasn’t something he’d ever considered. Seconds later, Elodie walked out with the test in her hand. For someone who was notorious for tapping into other people’s minds, Oz couldn’t get a read on her. She stopped a few feet in front of him.

“Do you know what kind of dad you’d be?”

He’d never given it any thought.

“No.”

Her lips spread into a smile. “Well, we’re going to find out in less than nine months.”

Oz drew in a breath, taking it all in.

Nothing in the Underground had prepared him for his new title.

Father.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Oh shit!

It would’ve been easy to avoid going onto the sales floor had she not sent Saylor home early. It was currently her biggest regret. Elodie eyed the man on the video cameras from the back. He looked so out of place. He’d only been inside of the store once, at the request of his wife.

My best friend.

Elodie watched Chris arch his neck, looking toward the back hallway. There was no evading him. Elodie circled around her desk and inhaled, prepping herself. She walked out and stifled a smile when he furrowed his brows at the sensual candles lined up on the counter.

“Well, this is a surprise.” Elle forced a smile, rounding the counter. “But don’t even think about trying to make a purchase. One, as I told your stubborn wife, I’m not taking any money from you guys. And two, in her current state of building a baby, she won’t fit in these clothes, and Chris, there’s nothing worse than giving a woman an article of clothing meant for when herbody bounces back.”

Elodie laughed, waiting for him to join in. Chris, while serious by nature, usually gave in to her jokes with at least a semblance of humor. Not this time.

Elle eyed him standing in the center of her boutique. Something was clearly off. A surge of panic raced through her veins, and she rushed forward.

“What’s wrong? Madalyn? The baby? Tell me!”

Chris grasped his hips and sighed. “They’re fine. Of course, you’d know that if you’d stopped by yesterday.”

Elodie flattened her lips, forming a tight smile. “One of the girls called out, so I had to close.”

Chris slowly nodded. “She mentioned that, among other things.”

It was a valid excuse for her absence. And it was a lie. Elodie had every intention of going over to Madalyn’s house until she found out Chris wasn’t working. She was purposely avoiding him since their last conversation.

“What other things?”

He scowled. “Congratulations are in order? I take it you’re still with Oz.”

She rested her hand on her flat stomach. “Yes.”

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