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"I'm pregnant, Griffin, and yes, it's Liam's. I triple-checked the timeline just to be sure, in case you were planning to argue paternity like this is some soap opera or I just spread my legs for anyone."

"Jesus, Kat—"

"No," I cut in. "You don't get to talk over me. Not this time.

You want to be mad? Fine. Be mad. But figure your shit out, because I'm having this baby, and that kid is going to need an uncle who doesn't start a fight every time its dad walks into the room."

Silence. Just the soft sounds of Liam moving in the kitchen and my own heartbeat.

"He called me."

I blink. "What?"

"Liam," Griffin mutters. "He called me yesterday. Said he owed me an apology. Said he wanted to step up—not just for the kid, but for you."

My chest gives a traitorous flutter like I've just been caught staring at the hot captain in high school. "He did?"

"Yeah," Griffin sighs. "Didn't expect it. Honestly, didn't believe it was him at first until he called me a dick and told me to shut the fuck up so he could apologize. Thought he was just saying what he had to."

"And now?" I ask.

"Now…" He pauses. "Now I think maybe you're a good influence on him.

Doesn't mean I like him. But if he's serious, and you're serious, maybe I can try not to punch him every time I see him."

I snort. "Wow. What a generous offer."

"Don't push it," he mutters, but I hear the reluctant smile in his voice. "You sure about this, Kat? Really sure?"

I glance toward the kitchen. Liam's humming under his breath, lining up little containers like it's a game. When he catches me looking, he winks.

"Yeah," I say softly. "I think I am."

Griffin sighs again. "Alright. Then I'll try to be nice. For you. Not for him."

"Duly noted."

"And Kat?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm still your big brother. If he screws this up, I will deck him again."

I smile. "Fair enough."

We hang up a minute later. I set my phone down just as Liam walks over with a bowl of strawberries and yogurt. He sits beside me, nudging the bowl into my lap.

"Why the look?" he says, raising an eyebrow.

"I just had a conversation with my brother where he didn't threaten to disown me. So yeah, I'm feeling kind of victorious."

"Oh, was that what that was about?" he asks casually, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. "Did he say anything about me?"

I grin. "Only that he still doesn't like you but might not cut your dick off next time he sees you."

Liam exhales, mock-serious. "That might be the nicest thing a sibling has ever said about me."

I bump his shoulder. "He told me you called him."