Page 36 of This Memory
I let out a nervous chuckle. “I’m fine. Sorry about that.”
We got to Memory Lane Toys and I unlocked the door and turned off the alarm before I motioned for Lucas to come in.
“I’d offer you something to drink, but…”
He laughed. “I don’t drink.”
My brows lifted. “Ever?”
“Oh, I’ve been known to knock back the booze, just not while I’m on assignment.”
I stared at him for a moment. “So even though you’re not with Cadie right now, you consider yourself on assignment still?”
“Of course. Just because I’m not with her in the same room, doesn’t mean that she’s not still my responsibility. I trust Kian, don’t get me wrong, but it’s my job to protect her, and that’s what I’ll do.”
Leaning against the counter, I smiled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say that was romantic, Mr. Miller.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. “I’ve never been accused of being romantic.”
The silence between us wasn’t awkward, and if it hadbeen another place and time, I might have thought he’d be fun to go on a date with.
Lucas stepped closer to me, and I pushed off the counter. “Lucas, I have to tell you something before what I think what’s about to happen, happens.”
He quirked his brow. “Before I kiss you?”
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. “Yes. That.”
“I’m listening.”
A nervous laugh slipped free, and I closed my eyes. “I don’t even know how to say this.”
“I’ve always found that the easiest way to say something is to just come out and say it.”
Looking at him, I nodded. “I’m pregnant.”
His eyes went wide with surprise. “Okay, that wasn’t what I thought you’d say.”
“It’s not my baby.”
A confused expression appeared on his face. “Um…what?”
“I mean, yes, I’m carrying the baby, but the baby isn’t mine. I’m a surrogate. My best friend can’t carry a baby, so she asked me if I’d carry her and her husband’s child.”
When he didn’t say anything, I nervously cleared my throat and said, “Yeah. That’s a real cock block.”
He laughed, and I smiled. “I think it’s amazing that you’re doing that, Brystol. But I’m not sure why it means I can’t kiss you.”
I chewed nervously on my lip before I asked, “You’d still want to kiss me?”
“I’d be a stupid idiot if Ididn’twant to kiss you.”
Smiling, I looked away before meeting his gaze. “As sweet as that is, I have to be honest…I can’t start anything while I’m in this…situation.”
It wasn’t a lie. I wasn’t interested in starting a new relationship with anyone. But if I’d wanted to betotallyhonest…I would’ve said I wasn’t interested in starting anything with Lucas because of a certain cop named Gavin Quinn.
Lucas took my hand, brought it up to his mouth, and kissed the back. “You’re an extraordinary woman, Brystol.”
I laughed. “You hardly know me.”
