“Always,” Tyler and I answer.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
HARPER
Five Weeks Later
A slinky jazz number plays when I enter The Scarlet Mirage after my Friday night performance. A red glow is cast upon the crowd, everyone sitting in silence, marveling over a burlesque act on stage.
I scan the venue, smiling when I find my men occupying a booth up the back, sipping on whiskey and talking privately. Felix is tossing his red poker chip. Tyler is flicking his Zippo open and shut. The sight warms me. They’re fulfilling the pact they made as teenagers. Come tomorrow, the speakeasy will temporarily close for business and the expansion will begin.
As for tonight… I’m one week late and have a pregnancy test to take.
I’ve wanted to pick up the phone and tell Ally about my late period, but she’s off honeymooning with Dan. Besides, I’m not allowing myself to get excited yet.Whatever will be, will be. I have Felix and Tyler and they’re everything I need in this lifetime.
But I’m lying to myself if I pretend I haven’t been thinking about this test every second for the last week. Christmas is a few days away, and if I am pregnant, this will be the best present.
Enough waiting. I weave through the audience, about to slide into the booth with my men, but they catch sight of me and stand, each weaving their fingers with mine.
“Let’s go, Princess.”
They’re in a rush, leading me toward our private quarters.
“What are we doing?” I laugh, struggling to keep up.
Felix kisses my hand. “Don’t pretend like you don’t know, Red.”
With all the tables and chairs crowding our path, my speed is too slow for Felix’s standard. He scoops me into his arms and carries me the rest of the way.
The live music becomes a distant hum as we arrive in our bedroom. Felix sets me down on the bathroom floor while Tyler unwraps a pregnancy test and passes it to me.
“We’ll give you a moment of privacy to take the test.” Tyler’s hands are on my waist. My mind swims with blissful dizziness when he kisses me.
Felix’s lips brush the nape of my neck. “Remember, either result is a blessing. If it’s positive, we’re having a baby. If not, we’ll keep fucking you non-stop to get you pregnant.”
He taps my ass, giving me a push of encouragement before leaving the bathroom with Tyler.
Laughing, I close the door. The second I’m alone, my fingers tremble. My heart is pounding against my ribs. I’m dying to take the test but give myself a quiet moment to breathe and settle.
As I watch myself in the mirror, earlier days of grief return to me. I’m reminded of my eighteen-year-old self, alone and frightened in my bathroom, too nervous to take the pregnancy test, then crying tears of shame and dread at the positive result.
My reflection smiles back at me, thankful to no longer be that scared girl. It’s ironic how something that was once such a negative force in my life now fills my heart with love.
“You okay in there?” Felix calls through the door.
“Yes. I’ll be out in a moment.”
No more stalling. I take the test, reminding myself throughout each second that it’s okay if the results are negative.
A moment later, I’m back in the bedroom with Felix and Tyler. They’re sitting at the foot of the bed and pull me between them.
Tyler sets a one-minute timer. “Here we go, Harp.”
I place the test face down on my lap to conceal the result that will soon appear. My knees bounce with nervous excitement. Tyler and Felix slide a hand over either of my thighs, stroking my bare skin to soothe me.
I stare at the timer, watching each second pass in agonizing slowness. My throat tightens as the timer ticks down to thirty seconds. Felix’s thumb traces circlesagainst my thigh while Tyler squeezes my knee with reassurance. No one speaks, but I feel the excited energy between us.
Three.
