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Jamie tilted her head. “I barely know him, Duncan. You know that. But who knows …” She quirked her eyebrow, knowing full well what saying that did to him.
“I get it. No Denver,” he grumbled.
“No Denver.”
When Duncan arrived home, he was surprised to find Max sitting at the kitchen table with Papa. He loved his cousin and was usually happy when he visited, but Max was the last person he wanted to see tonight of all nights.
“What are you doing here? Your date end early?” His tone was unkind and he knew it.
Papa stood and patted Duncan on the shoulder. “Are we still on for golf tomorrow morning?”
“Sure, Pop.”
“Night, boys,” he said as he headed upstairs to his bedroom.
“Are you staying over?” Duncan asked as he glanced at the clock.
“No, I’m on my way home, but I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“If it has to do with Jamie, don’t bother.”
“It does.”
“Then don’t bother,” Duncan snapped.
“Look, she told me about the baby.”
“Yeah?”
“And I get why you aren’t thrilled about me taking her out.”
“Do you?”
“You’re protective of her because she’s having your kid. If I were in your situation, I’d probably feel the same way. But you know me, man. We’re blood. You know I would never treat her with anything but the utmost respect.”
Duncan did know that. Maxwell was a McGregor. They’d been raised to care for and protect the women in their lives. It was in their DNA or something.
But it was Jamie. And Max. And when he thought of them as Jamie & Max, he felt sick to his stomach. It just didn’t feel right. Even without the baby in the mix.
“I want to get to know her and see if there’s something more between us.”
Duncan said nothing.
“But I wanted to make sure you were okay with it while she’s pregnant. I know it’s a little awkward.”
“No,” Duncan replied.
“Would you rather we wait until after the baby’s born? I understand if that’s what you want, and I’ll respect that.”
“No.”
“No what? You need to be more specific.”
“I don’t want you dating her.”
“While she’s pregnant?”
“Ever.” He knew how crazy that sounded, but he didn’t care.