Page 97 of Awakened Desires

"In a heartbeat," Fraser replies. "I think we should go for our wedding anniversary."

Beau kisses him tenderly. "That would be amazing." He turns his attention back to the rest of us. "So, what’s the news here?"

Everyone looks at me, which makes me squirm in my seat.

"Rory's friend is staying in your wardrobe," Hendrix tells Fraser as if it's gossip.

"Callan? I remember. I didn't think he’d be here when we got back,” Fraser says.

"He needs to stay a bit longer," I reply. "Do you mind?"

Fraser shakes his head. "As long as he doesn't mind me sneaking in there each morning to get some clothes." He purses his lips. "I suppose I could get them before everyone goes to bed each evening. Yes, that would be better." He looks around. "Where is he?"

"Spending time with his baby."

Fraser’s eyes widen. "I didn't know he was a dad."

"Aidan is only a few days old. I didn't know until Callan got here. He and Aidan’s mam broke up a few months ago. They’re not planning on getting back together.” I shuffle to the edge of the sofa and clasp my hands between my knees. "Actually, there was something I wanted to talk to you all about."

"Is everything okay?" Theo asks.

I shrug. "I'm not sure. Callan is worried about Niamh. That's his ex-girlfriend,” I add for Beau and Fraser’s benefit.

"Do you know if she spoke to the midwife about how she's feeling?" Theo asks.

I shake my head. "Not that I know of. She's talked about Callan having the baby."

There are a couple of gasps, and all my housemates stare at me.

"The thing is, Callan doesn't have a job here yet and nowhere else to stay. He—" I rub the back of my neck. "He mentioned that if he gets the baby, he might have to go back to Dublin to stay with his parents until he can get himself sorted. But he wants to stay here. He doesn't want to take the baby away from Niamh."

Quinn catches my eye. “That’s understandable.”

"Are you sure that’s the only reason he wants to stay?" Hendrix asks.

"What do you mean?" I try to sound casual and innocent. I don’t think Callan is ready to make our relationship public. At least I can trust Quinn to be discreet.

Hendrix rolls his eyes. "I would have thought that was obvious. He wants to stay for you."

I stare at him. Did Rubin say something to him?

"Oh, don't look at me like that. You two have been making heart eyes at each other since he arrived."

That probably means Rubin hasn’t said anything.

"We have not."

Hendrix looks around the room. "Please tell me I'm not the only one who's noticed."

Our housemates look pointedly at the floor, except Fraser and Beau, who haven't been here. They just look confused.

I shake my hands. "This is all hypothetical. Nothing has been decided. But if Niamh wants Callan to have the baby, could he stay here?”

No one says anything. They probably need a moment to think about it, but I can’t keep my mouth shut.

"I know it's a huge ask. There's already eight of us living here."

“But three rooms aren't being used," Hendrix points out.