She would hear about my baby caper soon enough, so there was little point in keeping it to myself. I opened my mouth, but he got there first.
“How do you think, Kendra?” He inclined his dark head and whispered. “Great sex.”
“Oh, I know that’s how babies are made, you devil. I’m just fascinated with—this.” She waved between us, every word and gesture a pin-prick critique. “God, I remember Franky was wild for hockey players when she was fourteen or so. Kind of a late bloomer because I was sneaking into locker rooms when I was thirteen, but oh well! Maybe she’s more like her mom than she cares to admit.” She pointed at me. “Oh, look at her face. She hates hearing that! Okay, what does a girl have to do to get a drink around here? I think I spy Mike Jenner over at the bar, and I haven’t seen him since he won the Cup with the Quake over ten years back. I’ll catch you later, darling, for a little heart to heart.”
When I would hear what I needed to do to keep my claws in a catch like Jason.
Jason continued to hold my hand.
I could have told him it was unnecessary now that my mother had moved into Husband Hunt mode. But I didn’t. I wanted him to stay by my side, our hands clasped in unity as everyone congratulated us on a job well done.
Of course, most people in our inner circle understood what was going on—or thought they did. This was transactional, I was the desperate one, and Jason was doing me this huge favor. They didn’t know about Jason’s needs and desires, his heartfelt wish to be a dad. I didn’t mind looking like the succubus. What I did mind was how my heart wanted the reality to match the fantasy.
I wanted Jason to want me as much as he wanted our baby.
A foolish wish. But I still let him rub my back as we chatted with Dex O’Malley and his lovely wife, Ashley, and I let him squeeze my waist as we accepted congratulations from my aunt Isobel and Vadim.
I expected he would be hands-off as soon as my dad approached, but Jason Isner had titanium in his spine.
“Sprite,” Dad murmured as he kissed my cheek. “Your mother behaving herself?”
“Oh, you know Mom.”
“Aye, I do.” He turned to Jason. Although I had told him the news a week ago, he and Jason had yet to connect. “Isner.”
“Dad, be nice.”
My dad raised an expressive eyebrow. That was as nice as it got.
“See you on the ice.” And then he left.
Jason shivered. “Chills. Should I be worried?”
“If you don’t show for a session with the Three Wise Men, he’ll assume you’re chicken.” I stepped away from his heat. “You don’t have to—you know.”
“I don’t have to what?”
“Be so demonstrative. People might mistake us for a real couple. I know you were doing it because my mother made her little digs. I appreciate it, but it’s really unnecessary.”
His expression flickered, like a flame catching an unwelcome breeze.
“Sure, Doc.”
The energy changed. I had allowed my mother to get into my head, but deep down I knew she was right: Jason and I were an odd pair, and everyone here could see it. Even my father, though he was far too kind to say it aloud.
I ran into my mother while she was on her way to the restroom. She waylaid me as I was coming out and trapped me in the corridor.
“Darling!”
“Hi, Mom. Having fun?”
“Of course. But I have to say I feel a little foolish that you didn’t tell me about the baby before everyone else. Always the last to know!”
“Jason told his family today, so you’re not behind the eight ball.”
That he had left the news until I forced his hand still niggled at me.
She gave me a sad smile. “This is a little strange, even for you.”
