Page 58 of With A Little Luck
Hartley, of course, decides to tag along to eat—even though he made it clear only an hour ago that he wasn’t hungry.
Quincy must have been cold because she has a cardigan sweater on over a new cotton dress. It’s dark gray and falls nearly to her knees. She must prefer that style of dress because I’ve seen her in it in several different colors. They always cling to her stomach, showing off her delicious curves.
I’m a fan of the style, and I like that she seems comfortable in them.
“Are you cold?” I ask as we approach the table. “I can locate the thermostat and bump the heat up?—”
“No, I’m good. Thank you, Trigg.” She smiles softly. “It just felt inappropriate to wear a nightgown around someone else’s house. I figured I should at least put on a sweater.”
Hartley doesn’t hesitate to pop the lids on the boxes, checking what’s inside each before moving on to the next. “You got lucky.” He laughs. “I see mozzarella sticks withextramarinara sauce.” He tosses an arm around Quincy’s shoulder.
Acid reflux burns my gut and esophagus. I’m not used to having to endure being in close proximity to people I dislike, and it’s causing physical discomfort.
Having Quincy here was supposed to go so much differently. I even thought she might allow me to cuddle with her as she slept. It would be the first time she knowingly allowed me to sleep at her side.
I had plans, dammit.
And Hartley is ruining every single one of them.
Chapter Eighteen
Quincy
The sliding glass door opens as I’m scooping the last bit of marinara sauce out of the small plastic container. My insides light up for a brief moment…except it’s a face I don’t recognize.
A blond guy with a beard steps inside.
I shove my chair back and stand to introduce myself. My stomach twists as I watch the doorway. The small amount of delusional hope that Ridge will follow him in disappears as swiftly as it arose.
Ridge doesn’t want anything to do with you, and it’s not like you can pretend you don’t understand why.
My chest gets tight. God, I hope I’m just overreacting because I’m pregnant and hormonal, but that’s how it feels.
The man’s eyes widen as he comes closer, and he trips over his own two feet. “Holy shit, you are pregnant.”
Trigg excused himself to the bathroom just before the man came in, but Hartley stands and steps close to my side.
The unknown man is gorgeous in that way that’s impossible to miss. He’s tall, with lithe muscles and an easy smile.
My nose wrinkles the closer he gets. He’s drop-dead sexy, but his scent isn’t appealing to my senses—at all. Which is a goodthing. I already have three stubborn alphas, who all seem to dislike each other.
“Shaw.” He holds out a hand, laughing. “Really, this is blowing my mind…in the best way possible.”
“Pretend you have some manners,” an unfamiliar voice calls from outside on the deck.
“Quincy.” I shake and pull my hand away.
“Hartley,” Hart says, holding out his hand.
They repeat the process as Shaw’s jaw falls. “No shit, I followed your career from the time you took the field your freshman year.”
Hart laughs good-naturedly, wrapping his arm around my lower back. “I appreciate it.”
“Anyway, welcome to the Shadow Security family.” Shaw gestures to me with the beer in his left hand. “If you want some female company, let Ridge know. I’m sure Saylor would love to hang out. That’s my omega. Briar too. She’s just a few streets down. That’s our boss’s wife.”
“Thank you,” I say, forcing a smile.
I wasn’t prepared to have to deal with so many people. Trigg, Ridge, and Hart are fine, but Knox and Shaw and whoever else is on that deck all know I had a one-night stand, got pregnant, and couldn’t find Ridge.
