“Oh, hiya, Weston!” Aisling called, running backward as she waved.
“She’s on a mission,” Lena said, stepping outside, smiling fondly after the trio.
“Hello, wife,” Weston said, pecking her on the lips. “What kind of mission?”
“Top secret,” Isla said as she appeared next to Lena. She was wearing jeans and a low-cut shirt that showed off an enticing sliver of skin. I only managed to pull my eyes away from it when she said, “Hey, Locke.”
I smiled politely in her direction. “Hello.”
“Everyone staying for tea?” Weston asked.
“Actually, Locke,” Isla said, the tops of her cheeks pinking a bit, “do you mind if I have a quick word with you? Alone?”
“Oh, er, sure,” I said, shrugging when Weston caught my eye. Isla gestured down the driveway a bit.
“We’ll see you inside,” Weston called as I followed Isla down toward her car.
When I caught up with her, I noticed that she looked anxious, her brows drawn together. I couldn’t figure out what she could possibly want to talk about. She didn’t look like she was excited to see me again. If anything, she looked nervous. But what could she have to be nervous about?
“How, uh, are you?” she asked, sounding a little awkward.
“Good, good,” I said, mulling over the sudden uncertainty that floated between us. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to see you here, but it’s certainly a welcomed surprise.”
Her mouth opened, then closed. The color in her cheeks darkened. It wasn’t the first time I’d left a woman speechless, but it usually took a little more than pleasantries.Wasshe looking for another night together? I wasn’t sure why that would make her nervous, but maybe she worried about being too eager?
“Look, Locke…” Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.
“Hey,” I said softly, hoping to put the woman out of her misery because I, for one, was more than happy to get reacquainted with those curves. “It’s cool. I know we said it was just one night, but if you want to pick up where we left off, I’m certainly not opposed to the idea.” Maybe this time we could skip all the sheep and shouting.
Isla snorted. “That’s definitely not why I’m here. Can you just focus for a minute with the head attached to your neck?”
I jerked back. Okay, the attitude was unnecessary. “We’re both adults here. I think we can admit that we had fun. No need to dress it up with insults.”
“My God, Locke.” She exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. “You’re very full of yourself, you know that?”
I liked to think I was confidentandskilled when it came to pleasing women. Not that I should have to explain that to her. I frowned, shaking my head. “Why else would you be lying in wait here to talk to me?”
“I wasn’t lying in wait for you!” she snapped.
I glanced at my phone. “Isla, I don’t have time for these games. I have to make some phone calls about a property. So if you could just tell me what you want from me?—”
“Gah!” she cried, throwing her hands up and startling me. “Firstly, I’m not here to solicit you, you daft idiot! And secondly, could you stop thinking about work for one second? I’m trying to tell you I’m pregnant.”
My jaw dropped. She had to be taking the piss.
I felt like one of those cartoon characters when they got bopped on the head and the stars started spinning before their eyes. “You’re…what?” My hand darted out for her, looking for something to ground me. Nothing felt real. “Could you repeat that?”
“I’m pregnant. Withyourbaby,” she added, gesturing wildly between us. “In case that wasn’t clear. I’m not here for a social call, Locke. I’m here to let you know you’re going to be a father.”
Bloody fucking hell.
I was stunned into silence as I replayed her words in my head. Baby…father…pregnant? Surely, I’d just hallucinated her words. That was the only explanation that made sense. Because there was no way in hell she was actually pregnant with my baby. We’d only been together one night. And we’d used a condom. Right?
I frowned.
Didn’t we?
I tried to think back through the alcohol-induced haze. Through the heated touches and the way she’d moaned my name and the?—
