Jealousy darkened my vision just as my woman walked out of the room, a smile still on her face.“Hey,” she greeted, stopping in front of me with one hand on her belly.I loved watching it get bigger.Each day, it seemed to expand, and I couldn’t stop freaking touching it.I was addicted to feeling our baby kicking against my hand.“This is unexpected.Is everything okay?”
“I wanted to surprise you.Thought maybe we could do dinner, just us.”I bent to kiss her, lingering until her hand was grabbing hold of my shirt and twisting to pull me closer before lifting my head.When I did, I looked straight at the asshole who had been making her laugh and offered my hand.“Ryder O’Machain, the father and future husband.”
Smirking, the man shook my hand.“Patrick Miller, the obstetrician and boss.”
Shooting me a dark look, Vega walked away, handing the receptionist a tablet as she passed.Patrick and I stood there, staring each other down until she reappeared less than ten seconds later with her coat and bag.
“Have a good weekend, Vay,” Patrick told her.
“See you Monday,” she said with a quick smile.Grabbing my arm, she practically dragged me out of the building.
Outside, I walked her to her car, opening the passenger’s door to help her inside.We both had our own transportation, but Kane had dropped me off so I could drive our girl home.With her belly getting bigger, neither of us liked that she was driving.Our concerns fell on deaf ears, though, because Vega was too independent.
“Aggie’s okay?”I asked once I was on the road.
“Unless you planned on cooking, yes,” she scoffed.
“Come on, baby.Don’t be cranky.”I took my gaze off the road long enough to send her a pitiful pout.“I’m sorry.”
“Whatever,” she huffed, the tiniest hint of a smile breaking through.
Taking her hand, I lifted it to my lips then placed it on my thigh, leaving it there on the quick drive to the diner she loved so much.It was a seat-yourself kind of place that was overflowing with other customers, but when one of the waitresses saw Vega, she motioned her over.Quickly clearing away the dishes and wiping the table, the woman gave me a quick once-over with a glower before turning her sunshine-bright smile on my star.
“Usual?”Her name tag read Quinn.“Or is that baby getting the cravings going?”
“Usual,” Vega confirmed.“But only if Kingston is in the kitchen.”
“Girl, of course he’s in there.”Quinn glanced at me, waiting, expectant.I stared back, which made Vega snort a laugh.
“Burger, medium.Only cheese.Ketchup and mustard.Fries, extra crispy.Diet Coke,” Vega ordered for me.
“Gotcha.”She barely scribbled anything on her pad.Then she was touching Vega’s shoulder.“Be right back, sweetheart.”
Before I could even get settled, someone was placing a glass of Diet Coke in front of me and a chocolate shake in front of Vega.She hadn’t ordered that.
Snickering, she picked up her drink.“Small towns.If you stick around, they will figure out your usual as well and have it on the table before you can ask for extra ketchup.”
“There’s no ‘if,’ Vay.You’re here, I’m here.”
She shrugged, her eyes shifting away from mine, not ready to believe me.Not yet.But I’d show her.Even if it took a hundred years, I’d prove whatever she needed me to.
“What kind of trouble is Kane getting into tonight?”Vega asked when our food was placed in front of us, stuffing a fry into her mouth.If a person could chew suspiciously, Vega was doing exactly that.
“He didn’t say.”
“Just because he didn’t say doesn’t mean you don’t know.”She stole a fry off my plate, using it to point at me like a warning before chomping down on it.
God, I love her.
“If I knew, I’d tell you.Swear.”I fed her one of the smaller super-crispy fries.Those were her favorites, and she’d steal them off my plate anyway.“I wanted a date with my girl.Kane said I could have tonight if he gets you all to himself tomorrow.If that’s okay with you?”
“So, you get Friday nights, he gets Saturdays, and you share on Sunday?”she asked, brows raised, a trace of snark in her voice, but I could see the vulnerability right below the surface.
Fuck, I had so much to make up for.Everything that I thought we were doing over the years to protect her had come back to hurt her in the end.But I’d fix it.Kane and I both would.
“This week, I’m getting Friday, and he’s got dibs on Saturday.But you’re ours every day, my star.”
After a pause, she nodded.“I accept this week’s schedule.Tonight, I’m yours.Tomorrow, I’m Kane’s.And Sunday…” Her hazel eyes glittered.“I get both of you.”
