“Colt,” Luke interjected gently. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Why not? Have you guys seen her? I can’t believe she’s still single.”
Heat crept up Grant’s neck, all the way to the tips of his ears. Their pitying stares seemed to bore straight through his forehead. And for a second, he considered slinking beneath the table.
“Oh…” Realization seemed to dawn on Colt, and he snapped his fingers. “That’s right. You two used to date in high school. I’m an idiot. I’ll back off. Unless you don’t mind….”
Another throat cleared.
This time, everyone seemed to be trying their hardestnotto look at Grant.
Grant forced himself to meet Colt’s gaze.
How did the guy manage to look so innocent? Colt had to know his question gutted Grant to his core. But what could he say? It wasn’t like he had any claim on Eliza. She was her own person. He didn’t have any right to interfere in her dating life. Of course, that knowledge didn’t stop him from wanting to reach across the table to flick the smug smile off Colt’s face.
“I don’t mind,” Grant lied between clenched teeth.
“Great!” Colt nabbed another rib, satisfied the topic had been resolved.
But Luke didn’t look as convinced. “There are other things to consider, Colt.”
“Like what?”
“Like, she has a son.”
“And you’re an infant in a grown man’s body,” Jack added for good measure.
“Says the man wearing a bib.” Colt gestured toward the napkin tucked inside Jack’s collar. Turning back to his brother, Colt said, “Look, I get that you’re concerned. Sure, I don’t have a stable job at the moment. Or a house with a white picket fence and a porch swing. Or whatever else girls fantasize about. But I’m not asking her to marry me. I just want to take her on a few dates and see where things go.”
“See, that’s exactly my point,” Luke told him. “You can’t be your usual carefree, no-strings-attached self with a girl like Eliza. You have to be intentional. She’s not just another beautiful woman. She’s a mom. Which means you’re not only dating her. You’re dating her kid, too.”
When Colt pulled a face, Luke rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean.”
Colt may not have understood, but Grant heard Luke loud and clear.
Like Colt, Grant had no business being anyone’s dad—surrogate or otherwise.
And that meant, no matter what, Eliza was off-limits.
Chapter 6
Eliza gazed mournfully at the heap of picnic baskets collected in the center of the town square, one hand on her churning stomach. In years past, she’d already be scouring the selection, zeroing in on the most scrumptious offering. Today, even the mere thought of a chicken pesto panini or grilled Reuben sandwich made her nauseous.
Rather than assess the plethora of lunch possibilities, Eliza scanned the throng of picnic-goers, flashing back to New Year’s Eve. The last person she’d expected to see that night was Grant Parker. And now that he’d returned…
The normally sweet, lilac-scented air felt stifling.
“Nervous about your date?” Cassie’s teasing tone pulled Eliza from her thoughts.
“No. Because it’s not really a date. So, there’s no reason to be nervous.”
“Then, why do you look so pale?”
As if on cue, Grant appeared in the crowd, joined by Jack, Reed, and Penny.
With his head thrown back, Grant laughed at something Jack said, a winsome smile illuminating his handsome features.
The sight left Eliza winded and a little light-headed.
