Page 254 of The Baby Bargain
"It's a long story."
He motions to the table. "I'll make tea."
"Decaf."
Realization hits his face. "Shit, you switched to decaf four months ago."
"I still have my morning chai."
"Is that okay?"
I shoot him amind your own business look.
He shakes his headno way. "Uncle Forest has to protect—do you have a name?"
"Charlotte."
"She's a girl?"
"No. It's too early. But I hope." My lips press together. "Or Charlie."
"Fuck, Ariel, that's not fair." His voice wavers. "How am I supposed to stay mad when you're doing that?"
"You're not supposed to stay mad." I move down the stairs.
My brother pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry."
"You should be. You're an idiot."
He chuckles. "I know."
"You fucked things up for me."
"Yeah, but… don't take this the wrong way, Ariel. But if Chase can't handle my scorn—"
"Then how can he handle a tiny, helpless human being?" I ask.
"I was gonna say your relationship, but yeah."
"I know." I pull back. Move to the table. "He… I want to believe he'll get over it. But he's just…" God, what do I say about Chase?
Forest motionssit down.
The chair is a relief. This is so much. It's so fucking exhausting.
"I'm sorry, Ariel. Really. Even if Chase had knocked you up by accident… I'd punch him in the face, but—"
"That's not a great apology."
He chuckles. "I'm always gonna protect you. But you're right. I need to step back. Let you make your own choices. Even if I think they're mistakes."
"Did Skye coach you on that?"
He holds up his fingersa little. Then he chuckles, pulls his fingers aparta lot. "Earl Grey or chai?"
"Are you really asking that question?"
"You bought the decaf Earl Grey."
