Page 89 of Tempting Rowan (Trace + Olivia 3)

My heart stuttered in my chest as a realization rocked me.

I loved this family.

Most importantly, I loved Trent.

Somehow, Trenton had shown me how to love. Love wasn’t meant to come with strings; it was free and uncomplicated—as easy as breathing. That’s what we had, and I’d tried so hard to fight my true feelings, but they were there. He taught me how to love, and now I didn’t know how I would survive breaking our hearts for a second time.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, falling out of rhythm to grasp my chin and force me to look at him. He was so in tune with me and my body that he always knew when something was wrong. I wished I were capable of hiding my emotions from him like I could everyone else.

“Nothing’s wrong,” I lied. Knowing that wouldn’t suffice with him, I hastened to add, “It’s just…your family…they’re amazing Trent.”

He smiled. “Yeah, they are. I’m lucky.”

He had no idea how lucky he was. Most people didn’t have families like his. I hoped, when I broke his heart again, that they’d be there for him to help him heal. As much as it killed me to think of Trent with another girl, I hoped he moved on, fell in love, and built his own amazing family one day.

We danced to one more song, then he led me to the table Trace and Olivia currently occupied. Dean was trying to climb up Trace’s shoulders and yank on his hair.

“Dean,” Trace scolded, “pulling hair isn’t nice.” He grasped the boy’s small fist and removed it from his hair.

Dean then proceeded to smack Trace’s cheek. Those two definitely had their hands full with that kid.

Lily came breezing up to the table and sat down just as a waiter came by with a tray of food, depositing plates in front of all of us.

Everyone talked and chatted easily with one another.

Except me.

I was retreating into myself once more, and I felt like an outsider looking in. I didn’t belong here. I liked all of them, I really did, but they were so different from me.

“You okay?” Trent leaned over to ask.

“Yeah,” I replied with a small shrug, trying to figure out how to eat the lobster I had been presented with.

“Since we’re all here,” Trace took a sip from his wine glass, waving his hand at his family gathered at the table, “there’s something I’d like to tell all of you.”

We all perked up with interest at whatever the oldest Wentworth brother had to tell us.

“I’m so happy to tell you guys that Olivia has once again let me plant my sperm inside her and have the joy of watching a baby grow.”

“TRACE!” Olivia exclaimed, her cheeks a bright red.

“Congratulations,” Trent raised his glass, as his mom and grandma squealed in delight. “Another baby will be exciting…especially if it’s anything like that little devil,” he pointed to a grinning Dean who was clapping his hands together and blowing spit bubbles.

“I’m so embarrassed,” Olivia muttered, hiding her face behind a napkin.

Lily wiped away a tear from her cheek. “I can’t wait for another grandbaby,” she sniffled.

“Oh shit,” Trent muttered under his breath. Turning to me, he grinned crookedly, “Next she’s going to expect me to get you pregnant.”

I spat out the sip of wine I had just taken and maroon colored droplets of liquid stained the pristine white tablecloth.

“I was just kidding, Row,” he chuckled, beating my back as I struggled to breathe.

I managed to recover in time to see Trace’s grandma hugging him and then Olivia. I couldn’t remember her name though.

“That’s Grammy,” Trent said, pointing to the older woman. It was like he could read my mind or something. “Her name’s Ellie, but she’ll prefer for you to call her Grammy.”

About that time, I heard someone behind us call, “Hey, bitch!”

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