“You need to breathe,” Sienna says, stepping into the restroom and looking at me with concern in her eyes.
“I can’t…I can’t…I don’t know what I’m doing, Si. All of this…telling them…it’s real…it’s fuck…”
She grips my upper arms, stopping me from pacing.
“Yeah, it’s real. But it’s all going to be okay. No matter what, you’ve got us, and your little one will be so loved, Bea. You never need to worry about that.”
But I am worried. Suddenly, I’m worrying about everything, because all I want to do is give my little one the best start in the world. But what is the best start? And even if it starts well, what use is it if it all goes up in smoke in six months?
33
EVERETT
“Holy shit.” I balk as I stare at the image that just opened on my screen.
Honestly, when I first saw Sienna’s name, I immediately assumed there was an issue and I unlocked my cell faster than I think I ever have in my life.
I was expecting a demand to come to the hospital or something. I was not in a million years thinking that I’d find a picture of my baby momma looking hot as hell on a night out.
Sienna: I told her that if she didn’t send a photo to you, I would. So…you’re welcome
“I am fucking welcome.” Jesus. That dress…her tits. “Fuck” I breathe, dragging my hand down my face as my temperature spikes.
I haven’t been with a woman in…too fucking long. I could. I could go out now and have my pick of women in about thirty minutes. But…I don’t want to.
For the first time in my life, there is only one woman I’m interested in spending time with. The idea of a random hookup suddenly doesn’t have the appeal it used to.
I open Bea’s image full screen again and just stare at her.
That night might have been a few months ago now, but I understand why she stole my attention from behind the boards. She’s not just beautiful; there’s this aura about her, one that lures me in. I’ve never experienced anything like it before, but for some reason, I crave being in her orbit.
My fist curls on my lap. I’d fucking love to know where she is right now so I could turn up and drag her away. I’d love to peel that dress from her body and get the chance to take my time with her. Fucking her in the club was mind-blowing. So what would it be like if we had the whole night?
A little fear trickles through my veins at the thought of the high of that night being a one-time thing. But honestly, I don’t think it was. We might have only spent a short amount of time together recently, but I still feel it. That pull. It’s a connection I’ve never felt for any other woman. Sure, I connect with some on a sexual level. I never give them a chance to learn if there is any other level, but with Bea…
“Fuck,” I groan as the buzzer for my apartment goes off.
We’ve got a charity event tonight. One that my sister and Linc got back into town for just in time. If it weren’t for them being back, I’d have bailed already despite Hailee’s warning that I had to be there.
Pushing to my feet, I grab my suit jacket that’s hanging over the back of my couch and march to the door.
With my keys and cell in my pocket, I ride the elevator down to the lobby, and the second the doors open, I find my smiling sister there waiting for me, looking like a total knockout.
Her tanned face lights up at the sight of me, and before I have a chance to steady myself, she runs forward and jumps into my arms.
“Whoa,” I grunt as I stumble back.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight as my eyes find my best friend loitering a few feet away.
I lift my chin in greeting, and he does the same back. We’ve been best friends since we were in diapers, and I can read him like a book. He doesn’t need to say a single word for me to understand what he’s thinking.
Parker has been worried about me.
I mean, I also got that from the almost daily phone calls and messages while they were away.
“I missed you,” Parker says, still clinging to me.
“Really?” I ask with a laugh. “I thought you’d be glad of the peace.”
