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“She was feeling lightheaded,” Asher says when I emerge.
The guy carrying a baseball bat can clearly see I’m pregnant. “Oh, well, go take the booth in the corner. I’ll bring you some juice and crackers.”
“And coffee,” Asher says. “Coffee would be nice.”
The manager studies Asher like he knows we’re lying, but he backs off anyway, holding the door for us so we can pass. “Right over there.” He points.
When I sit in the booth, Asher tries to slide in next to me. I hold up a hand. “No.”
Dejected, he takes the seat across from me as a waitress hurries over with the manager’s offerings. “You okay, sweetie?”
“Sure. Thanks,” I say, my gaze focused on the juice glass that I’ve no intention of touching.
“Stella’s father died.”
I huff. “And that excuses your deceit? I don’t care if the supreme ruler of the world died, you should have told me instead of lying so you could come comfort your ex.”
He runs a hand through his perfect hair. He’s frustrated with me, but I couldn’t care less. “Let me start over. Allie, Ididcome for work. We worked all day. Come with me to the hotel and I’ll beat down my boss’s door and he’ll confirm it. We had a late dinner. On the way back to my room, I spotted Stella at the hotel bar. It was only natural to ask why she was there. I wasn’t going to stay. I wasn’t even going to sit. But then I saw how sad she was, and when she told me her father died and her husband’s plane hadn’t landed yet, I figured that no matter how I felt about her, she probably needed a friend in that moment.”
I shove two crackers in my mouth as I contemplate his words. Then I wash them down because my mouth is too dry to speak. “Her… husband?”
“Yes, sweetheart, her husband.” He reaches across the table and puts his hands on mine. “I promise you it was a random meeting. She’s in town for her dad’s funeral.”
I sniff, now feeling humiliated that I thought the worst of the man who has only ever treated me with love, kindness, and respect. A man who cares so much for people in general, he would sit with someone who treated him so badly simply because she needed someone to care.
“She’s… very pretty.”
A smile cracks his face. “Baby, she doesn’t hold a candle to you.”
He gets up and sits back down on my side of the booth. This time I let him. His arm comes around me and he tugs me to him.
“I love you, Allie,” he whispers into my hair. “My heart, body, and soul belong to you. Nothing in the world could change that. Not ex-wives, difficult teenagers, surprise twin pregnancies, or whatever else might get thrown our way.”
I wallow in embarrassment. “I’m so stupid. I thought I’d come and surprise you. Maybe relive a few moments at our old stomping ground.” I look up and catch his eyes with mine. “Are you sure nothing would have happened if I hadn’t shown up?”
His smile grows into a full-on chuckle. “I’ve never seen this side of you, you know. As long as I’ve known you, you’ve never been the jealous type. It’s kind of hot.” He smirks. “Makes me think you sort of like me a whole lot.”
I stab his ribs with my elbow. “No need to rub it in. Iama hormonal pregnant lady. Times two.”
He stands and throws a ten-dollar bill on the table. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take my hormonal pregnant lady back to the hotel and do unspeakable things with her.” He leans close. “Times two.”
My heart, that was squeezed like a vice just a few minutes ago, is suddenly pounding with anticipation.
“As long as you promise never to speak of this again.”
A finger glides from side to side over his chest. “Cross my heart.” He holds out his hand.
I slip my hand into his. It’s large and warm and feels like home. How could I ever think he’d do something like that to me?
I’m still scolding myself over my stupidity when we walk back inside the hotel. William smiles from ear to ear when he opens the door for us. “Miss Montana. Mr. Anderson.”
Asher turns back to him. “The next time you see us here, it’ll be Mr. and Mrs. Anderson.”
William’s eyebrows shoot up, and he looks upon us proudly, as if he somehow played a part in us getting together. “Great to hear it. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“You’re engaged?” I hear from behind.
When I turn, I see Asher’s ex staring at my stomach.