Page 13 of The Little Black Rose

“It’s going to be fine, Ava,” he says, his voice deep and rich.

“I know,” I say, though it doesn’t really ring true.

The girls are going to be pissed I lied to them,again, but I’ve never been a coward. And I’m not going to start now. Sliding the door open, I march back into the dining room, which is suspiciously silent when I enter.

“Yes, Zeke and I slept together the night Sam drove Zoey home fromThe Red Scorpion. It was just the one time, and it meant nothing. Well,” I say, pressing a palm to my abdomen, “it meant nothing until now. We both realized it was a mistake and agreed to never speak of it again, but obviously we can’t pretend anymore. But it’s fine. We’re going to get along for the sake of the baby, and we’re going to be kickass co-parents. That’s all. Got it?”

The four of them stare at me with wide eyes after that little monologue, and finally, the guys nod. Sophie’s lips curve up in a way that lets me know she’s going to ignore everything I just said and try to play matchmaker, making me groan in irritation.

When I look at Zoey for the first time, she’s not smiling. She’s not frowning, either, so that’s something. She just looks thoughtful as she stares at her brother, who’s moved in beside me like some united front.

I can’t lie, it feels fucking good. I know Sophie and Zoey love me and will stand by me no matter what, but having the father of my baby become the rock I need right when I need it? Nothing can compare to that.

My eyes start to burn with emotion, and I silently curse the pregnancy hormones as I excuse myself and rush to the bathroom. I know I’m leaving Zeke to the wolves, but I refuse to become a blubbering mess in front of everyone like that. I close myself inside and pluck several tissues from the ornate box on the counter. I dry my eyes and blow my nose a few times. Tossing the tissues in the trash can under the sink, I wash my hands. As I’m drying them, a light knock sounds through the door.

“Ava? It’s Sophie and Zoey. Can you let us in?”

Sophie’s voice is gentle and pleading, but I know I’m not going to get a reprieve from this conversation. I open the door and give them my best begging-for-forgiveness puppy dog eyes and pouting lips. Sophie rolls her eyes as she pushes past me into the small space, and Zoey’s expression is carefully blank as she slides in and pulls the door closed behind her.

“So…you and Zeke,” Sophie says slowly.

“I’m sorry,” I say, feeling those damn tears well back up. “We were arguing in the car, and things got heated, and before I knew it, he was kissing me and I…”

“…finally had what you always wanted,” Zoey finishes when my words trail off.

“What?” I chirp, my eyes flaring wide.

“Oh, come on, Ava. You think we didn’t know?” Sophie says, propping her hands on her hips. “You had hearts in your eyes every time you looked at him from middle school until sometime in our mid-twenties.”

“I…did not,” I argue, my gaze flying over to Zoey.

“You did,” she says, giving me a soft, understanding smile.

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?” I ask, giving up the pretense.

“I figured you’d tell me if you wanted to talk about it. Then it seemed like your crush fizzled out, and there was no reason to bring it up.”

“And now I’m pregnant with his baby,” I whisper.

“And I’m going to be an aunt, for real,” Zoey says, giving me a bright smile.

My tears overflow, running down my cheeks in twin rivulets. “You’re not mad at me?”

“Oh, we’ll be having a conversation about you lying to us,” Zoey says, her smile unwavering, “but that can wait for another day. No, I’m not mad. How could I be? You’re giving me a little niece or nephew to spoil rotten, and you’re giving my brother something I feared he’d never let himself have…a family of his own.”

“We’re not a family,” I say quickly. “Not really.”

“Maybe not in the traditional sense of the word,” Zoey says, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me in for a side hug. “But still a family, nonetheless.”

“I wouldn’t count out the word ‘traditional’ just yet,” Sophie adds.

“Sophie,” I groan.

I knew it. I knew that look she gave me earlier meant she was scheming.

“What?” she asks, grinning, then looks at Zoey. “Did you see the way he moved in beside her, all protective when she might’ve needed his support?”

“I did,” Zoey says, nodding. “And she’s wearing his shirt like a letterman jacket from an eighties movie.Swoon.”

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