I grinned back at her and leaned in. “Everyone can mind their business. This meeting is about you and me, right?”
Her smile grew even wider. “Right.” She inhaled deeply. “I’m so glad you’ve rethought this whole thing. I know you were hesitant, but seriously, Ace, this baby is a miracle.”
She rubbed her belly and looked toward me as if I should’ve agreed.
I dropped my gaze to her distended abdomen. My stomach muscles squeezed almost painfully. Too many memories of Savannah sitting before me while she gripped her belly, pregnant with my son, assaulted me.
I shook off those memories.
“You know,” I started, “bringing a life into this world is a hell of a gift. One you shouldn’t take lightly.”
“Oh, I agree one hundred percent,” Tricia said. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what’s best for this baby’s future.”
“I’m sure you have.” I pulled away.
“Yes. That’s why, when you called the other day and said we should meet to discuss our baby, I was thrilled. I knew, given a little bit of time, you would come around.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “You threatened me.”
Her mouth snapped shut, and she gave me an apologetic look. “Ace, I’m so sorry about that. I should’ve realized you were just shocked at finding out about the baby. I didn’t mean it.”
“Didn’t mean it,” I repeated, at the same time mulling the words over in my mind. “Did you mean to go over to Brightside Urgent Care and confront my wife with this news?”
Her mouth dropped open. But being the actress she was, Tricia quickly recovered. She lifted her chin. “She told you that?”
I shook my head, knowing there was a chance if I said yes, Tricia could have grounds for a lawsuit.
“No, but she didn’t have to.”
Her eyelids fluttered. “Well, anyway, isn’t it better that she knows?” She reached across the wooden table to lay her hand over mine. “Now, you can divorce her, and we can move on with our lives as a family.”
I snatched my hands away and scowled at her. “The only person moving on is you,” I snarled at her.
She recoiled as if I’d smacked her.
“Well, it sounds like I arrived right on time,” Micah interrupted.
Tricia gasped as Micah’s imposing figure came to a stop at the edge of our table.
“You’re running late,” I said to Micah as I glared across the table at Tricia.
“Traffic,” Micah spat out.
“Wh-who are you?” Tricia questioned, staring up at my eldest brother.
“Me?” Micah pressed a hand to his chest. He gave her a sideways grin. “I’m that child’s uncle, apparently.” He pointed at her belly.
Her eyes widened before she blinked. “Oh, he’s one of your brothers?” She glanced at me.
“He won’t be for too much longer if he keeps bullshitting me.” I finally peered up at Micah. “Do you have the package?”
“Am I not the best for a reason?” He slapped my shoulder with the back of his hand. “Scoot over.”
I moved in so that he could sit.
Micah looked across at Tricia. “I’m sure our other guest will want the seat next to you.”
“Is your other brother coming?” she asked with a wrinkle between her eyebrows.
