Page 5 of Until You

“Why don’t you get unpacked and then join us on the balcony? We’re having cocktails,” said Max. “Or mocktails,” he added, glancing at Sebastian. “We all have catching up to do.” He and Willa exchanged a meaningful look.

Sebastian grinned. “Sounds great.”

Kayla knew that this was her chance. She’d spotted a Duane Reade drug store at the end of the block. While everyone was occupied with drinks, she could run out and grab a pregnancy test. She’d pee on it, it’d be negative, and her world would stop feeling so off-kilter.

And if it was positive…Well. That thought sent butterflies tumbling through her stomach. Good ones. Hopeful ones.

“You guys go ahead without me,” she said, trying to sound as casual as possible. “I’m just going to run down to the drugstore, and—”

“No!” said Willa and Lauren in unison. Willa reached out, wrapping an arm around her. “I’m sure I have extra of whatever you need, and if not, go later. It’s not an emergency, right?”

“I haven’t seen your face in months. Don’t go right now,” added Lauren, and Kayla sighed and then nodded.

“Yeah, okay. It’s not an emergency.” Which was true, technically speaking, despite the sense of urgency making her feel prickly with sweat. She could have a mocktail instead of a cocktail to be on the safe side, and then once everyone was settled, she’d go to the drugstore and get a test.

“We’ll give you a minute to unpack anything you need,” said Willa, slipping her hand into Max’s. “Meet us out on the balcony in a few, okay?”

Kayla nodded, and everyone left, leaving her and Sebastian alone in their room.

“What did you forget?” he asked as he unzipped his suitcase and rummaged around inside.

“Oh, um. A—just a razor.”

“I’m sure Willa has one you can have.”

“Yeah, maybe. It’s fine, I can just go to the drugstore.”

He turned and looked at her, and when their eyes met, she almost told him. But she felt the need to hold back because she didn’t want to freak him out or get his hopes up if it was nothing. Not when this weekend was supposed to be about family time.

Sebastian closed his bag and moved toward her, pulling her into his arms. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he murmured against her hair, kissing her temple.

She leaned into him, soaking up the warmth and comfort of his solid body against hers. His familiar scent settled her nervous stomach and she took a deep breath, breathing him in. Her chest tightened with guilt over doubting him or their relationship. Their future. Of course her future was with Sebastian. He probably had very good reasons as to why he hadn’t proposed yet.

“I think I’m just a little worn out from the travel and everything. I’m sorry if I’ve been quiet or seemed a little off. I’m okay.”

He ducked his head and slipped a hand under her chin, tilting her face up to his. “Promise?”

She bit her lip and nodded. “Promise.”

“You know you can tell me anything, right? There’s nothing you could tell me that would ever scare me away.”

She could see the wariness, the concern in his deep brown eyes and more guilt ate at her, making her feel itchy and restless. And yet...she couldn’t bring herself to say anything about her late period or the fact that they weren’t engaged yet. Now just wasn’t the time, here with their friends and his family, the day before Lucian and Olivia’s wedding. Once the festivities were over, there’d be time to talk.

“I know.” She met his eyes and then rose up onto her toes and kissed him. He moaned softly and kissed her back. God, it would be so easy to just drag him to the bed and let him shut her brain off the way he always did, but everyone was waiting for them. So, she broke the kiss and took his hand, leading him to the door before things got carried away.

They found everyone out on the sunny balcony off of the upper level of the penthouse. Kayla sucked in a sharp breath at the view stretching out before her, Manhattan stretching out on three sides, encompassing everything she could see. She could hear the distant blare of sirens, the honking of taxis, the jackhammer of construction work. The city symphony she’d come to miss, despite how happy she was in Lake Tahoe.

The balcony itself was beautiful, tiled in chiseled stone and surrounded with sparkling, spotless glass. The sky was pure blue, and the air was sweet and almost cool on her skin. Everyone was gathered on a plush looking outdoor sectional, a tray with drinks on a table in front of it, and a fancy-looking bar cart off to the side.

Max handed Sebastian a ginger ale and then cocked an eyebrow at Kayla. “What’ll it be? Wine? Or I’ve got some nice champagne on ice?”

“You know, I think I’ll just start with some Perrier, if you have it. The traveling unsettled my stomach a little.”

Max nodded and handed her the cool green bottle, cracking the cap off for her. He grabbed a striped paper straw from the bar cart and popped it in her drink, and she was grateful that no one was giving her a hard time about not drinking. Granted, she often didn’t drink around Sebastian out of solidarity, so they probably didn’t think it was odd. She sat down on the couch beside Willa, and Sebastian settled in beside Theo.

“You want to tell them?” asked Max, drink in hand as he sat down on the far end of the sofa.

Willa grinned and set her drink down. “We’ve decided to start IVF!”

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