Page 53 of With A Little Luck
That I appreciate him coming with me?
That I’m sorry I got him tangled up in my mess of a life?
Anxiety pulses through my system, and I do my best to relax.
Whatever will happen will happen.
Ridge will either want to be a part of the baby’s life or he won’t.
The neighborhood Knox drives into is intense. There’s an actual guardhouse with two men inside, but they wave the vehicle through as Knox rolls down the window.
We don’t drive very far into the community, but the houses are spaced far apart in that way that makes each piece of property feel sprawling.
Knox turns into the driveway of a massive dark blue house. It has a covered white porch, and it’s at least two stories. Maybe three, based on the tiny triangular windows at the top. That might be an attic, I’m not sure. He brings the vehicle to a stop in front of a four-car garage on the right side of the house.
I refuse to use the wordmansion, even mentally, or I will be too intimidated to walk inside.
My door pops open, and I jolt.
Ridge holds out a hand. “It’s only a short walk until we’ll be inside, but you might want to put your coat on.”
I shake my head and grab it from the floorboard. “I’ll be fine. I get hot really easily.”
He frowns but nods.
I place my hand in his as the sounds of the garage door opening fill the air. He helps me from the SUV and steps back.
“I have a dog. Are you allergic?”
“No, I love dogs,” I say, shivering as a gust of cold wind blows through.
Huh.
Maybe I am stubborn. I should have put on my giant wool coat, even for the ten- or fifteen-foot walk.
“Good, his name is King.” Ridge grimaces. “He’s friendly…once he gets to know you. He’ll just ignore you at first.”
I can understand that.
After all, I’m about to be a guest in his home.
“The two of you can grab Quincy’s and Hartley’s bags,” Ridge says in his deep, growly tone. “Come on, I’ve got to unlock the door.” He steps back and strides off.
My stomach tightens. I’m not sure why it hurts so badly to see him walk away, but I thought he might escort me inside.
This issucha weird situation.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Hartley mutters, wrapping his arm around my lower back. “We stick together, promise me.”
I nod, nuzzling close to his chest. “I’ll ask Ridge to give us one room to share, but he and I do need to have a conversation. I feel like that will be best without an audience.”
“Come on, it’s freezing, and you’re barely wearing anything,” Ridge growls from inside the garage. He’s standing on the top step, holding the door open and glaring at Hartley.
Or that’s what I tell myself.
If he’s glaring at me…
No, I’m not even letting my head go there. I will explain the circumstances, apologize, and then we can see where we go from here.
