Page 88 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

I kiss the back of her neck and slide one of my hands down to her midsection. “You’re bigger today.”

Harley laughs. “You’re full of shit.”

“No, I’m not,” I say, tracing my thumb back and forth over her skin. “I swear, I can feel it.” I get up onto my elbow and look into Harley’s beautiful, languid eyes. “After all, I’ve been sleeping next to you for three weeks.”

After Harley and I confessed our love for one another, we decided to try regular old dating. But given how fast things had already gone (hello, baby on the way), it was hard to keep apart. After a week of her sleeping over every night, she moved into my home in the hills.

It has been an adjustment, of course. I’ve never had to share my space with a lover. And Harley and I sort of bypassed all the logistical things in the name of passion and romance. Now, there’s a bottle of oat milk in the fridge, another toothbrush on the sink, another person in my bed.

And I love all of it.

Of course, there is the matter of Kent. After he returned with Victoria and Dana, he made it clear he still needed time to process his feelings. It broke both Harley’s and my hearts, but how could I begrudge him his emotions in this situation? He still speaks with Harley from time to time, but never to me. I miss my friend. But I’d rather the woman I love have her father.

I just don’t know if I will be able to bear his distance for the rest of my life.

Harley’s sisters, on the other hand, have embraced us as a couple with open arms. In fact, it feels like at least one of them is here every day. We’ve even babysat her niece Stella a couple of times. Brings me back to the days Victoria was little. Of course, then, I was just her older brother. Not her caregiver. It’s going to be a whole different ballgame to raise a baby from birth.

Harley rubs my bicep, taking in a deep breath. “Well, congratulations. I’d say you’re a really lucky man.”

“Oh, I know. Trust me.” I lean down and kiss her softly. Yes, the chemistry is off the fucking charts, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have tender soft moments. Doesn’t always have to be tearing each other’s clothes off. Although…I do love those moments too. “How are you feeling?”

“I was going to askyouthat. Big day ahead.”

I sigh. “Yeah, trying not to think about it.”

“Grant…”

“Look, let me focus on you. I want to take care of you right now, not the other way around,” I say, smoothing her hair out from her forehead.

“You know, the taking-care-of thing is a two-way street, babe.”

I grin. “I love when you call me babe.”

“God, are you like in love with me or something?” Harley says teasingly.

“Something like that.”

Harley pecks my lips and then rolls out of bed. “I feel just peachy.” She stretches her arms upward. Groaning with relief. “Now, you.”

I collapse back into bed. “I’m fine.”

“You’re nervous.”

“No shit I’m nervous.”

Harley crosses her arms, smiling at me tenderly. “How can I help?”

I look up at the ceiling. Today, I’m seeing Malcolm in court. I know how it’s going to go. I’ve done the work to make sure he doesn’t get a lick of Infinium. I have a smoking gun that no judge will be able to ignore.

Still, having to face him, my old friend…someone I thought I’d get to grow old with and share memories with in the old folk’s home. It’s a bit of a mindfuck. Not to mention, I’m not sure if I’ve lost Kent too.

I might be totally friendless in this world.

“Hey.” Harley comes to the side of the bed and leans over me.

It will have been worth it for Harley. I know it. “Yes?”

“You’re Grant fucking Neville. And no one fucks with you,” she murmurs and then kisses my forehead.

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