Kade.
He grins. “Queenie,” he says easily. “I thought we could grab a break together.”
“Oh, I have work—”
“Go. I’ve got it covered,” Mrs. Wainwright calls from somewhere behind a towering stack of books.
Traitor.
I clamp my mouth shut then manage an awkward smile. “I’ll grab my jacket.”
Outside, he heads straight for the bike.
I stop short.
He glances back, reading me instantly. “You okay?”
“I thought we were going for coffee or something,” I say, nodding towards the café across the road.
His grin widens as he lifts a helmet towards me.My helmet.“I didn’t say anything about coffee.”
I hesitate then take it. He swings a leg over the bike and waits, patient, giving me space. When I climb on behind him, the familiarity hits hard. My body remembers before my head catches up, and I almost wrap my arms around his waist.
Almost.
Instead, when the engine roars to life, I grip the bar behind me. It’s safer, less confusing.
We ride for twenty minutes, leaving town behind, the fields opening up around us. When he finally pulls up outside a run-down building on the edge of the next village, confusion settles in.
He climbs off and removes his helmet, excitement flickering across his face. “Okay,” he says, “everyone keeps telling me I have to let you lead, make the decisions.”
I follow suit, helmet tucked under my arm, eyes flicking back to the building.
“But,” he adds quickly, softer now, “and you can absolutely say no if this is too much—Mrs. Wainwright mentioned you were thinking about a 3D scan.”
My heart stutters.
“I found this place,” he continues. “Small. Family-run. You can go in alone or with me, totally your call.” He pauses. “I just thought it might be nice for you to actuallyseeour baby.”
Something warm and fragile spreads through my chest.
I look at the building again. “Yeah,” I say quietly, “I was thinking about it.” Relief flashes across his face. “Thank you,” I add. “That was . . . really thoughtful.”
He beams, pride softening his features.
“And, of course, you can come in,” I say before I can overthink it. “This is your baby too.”
He exhales, the tension leaving him all at once. “Only if you’re sure.”
I nod, feeling strangely steady. “Absolutely. Let’s do this.”
And suddenly, the idea ofus—even just standing side by side—doesn’t feel impossible.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
KADE
I’ve done many things that have made me question my life, but this is the most nervous I’ve ever felt,ever.Nothing has ever made my knees feel this weak.
