Page 38 of Duty and Desire

I shouldn’t have worried.

Aiden had concerns, most of them having to do with how quickly things had progressed between Noah and me. But he told Noah that if he was happy, then he was happyforhim. And I know deep in my gut that even if Aiden had told Noah that he didn’t think it was smart for him to be with me, my guy wouldn’t have listened.

Noah has made it clear that his feelings for me are genuine and that he’s in this for the long haul. He’s accepted me as I am and is patient with me as I figure out who I’m becoming.

“It smells delicious in here,” May says by way of greeting, coming around the corner into the kitchen, carrying a bottle of wine in one hand and a bouquet in the other. Aiden and Noah follow behind her.

“It’s Noah’s twice-baked potatoes.” I give her a one-arm hug, then smile at my brother as he walks around the counter to kiss my cheek.

“No, it’s the cake. The frosting on that thing is killer,” Noah tells them with his gaze locked on mine. I feel heat rising to my cheeks at the memory of what he said he wanted to do with the frosting he swiped from the bowl earlier.

“Don’t gross me out before we eat,” Aiden grumbles, looking between the two of us. May giggles while I duck my head.

“So…” May bumps her hip into mine, and I look at her. “How’s the new job?”

“Good. Busy.” I shake my head. “There’s lots to learn, but I really love it.”

“She’s already outselling Manny, and he’s been at that location for three years. Everyone is seriously impressed with how well she’s done in such a short time,” Noah tells her, and the pride I hear in his voice makes my chest warm.

Honestly, it feels good knowing that people are taking notice of how hard I’m working. And I’m doing it all on my own. I mean, yes, I have someone showing me the ropes, but I could have gotten this job even without my dad’s help.

“So, what’s your plan now that your dad’s back in the office?” Noah asks Aiden, and I hold my breath because I know that working for our dad has always been a sticky subject for him. But it’s a good question, especially since my dad started coming to work daily last week.

He’s improved tremendously in the last couple of months and is almost back to one hundred percent. He also seems happier now than he ever has. I don’t know if that has to do with divorcing my mom or what, but it’s been good seeing him as he has been.

On the other hand, my mom is still as angry as ever. But I haven’t spoken to her since our last run-in, which had to do with me being with Noah—whom she doesn’t think is worth my time. When she told me to dump him, I told her that she wasn’t welcome to be a part of my life in any capacity unless she made some significant personality changes. And since I doubt she’ll change, I’m not sure I will ever see her again. And that makes me sad for her because, at the end of the day, she will be missing out on being a part of her grandchildren’s lives one day. My dad, however, is thrilled that I’m with Noah, which only makes me feel surer about the man I’ve fallen in love with.

“I’m staying.” My brother’s statement brings me out of my thoughts, and I find him looking at May, who now sports a huge rock on her ring finger. “Dad’s back, but he doesn’t want to workthe hours he was before. So, I’ll fill in for him when he needs time off and still deal with clients like I have been.”

“Glad to hear that, man,” Noah says, and May leans into my brother while I lean into Noah.

Looking at everyone in the room, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. Not only do I have a healthy and strong relationship, but I’ve also got the family I always wanted.

And I doubt anything is better than that.

Noah

Four Months Later

Walking into the house, I lock the door behind me, then head down the hall toward the kitchen, not surprised that Lola and Chanel do not come to greet me. When Bridgett is home, they stick to her like glue.

Not that I blame them since I tend to do the same myself.

Bridgett isn’t in the kitchen or living room, so I step into the spare I converted back to an office for us to use after moving Bridgett’s shit to my room the weekend after we got together. Finding it empty, I go upstairs because I know she’s home since her car is in the garage. I hit the bedroom and do a scan, finding the bathroom door closed with a light shining out from under it. Hearing what sounds like crying, my heart stops, and I walk over to the door and shove it open. I don’t know what I expect to find inside, but it’s not Bridgett sitting on the floor, surrounded by a half dozen plastic sticks.

“What’s going on?” I bark, and her tear-filled eyes widen as they lock on mine.

“You’re home.” She frantically reaches for the sticks, and it suddenly hits me like a ton of bricks what they are.

“You’re pregnant.” I step into the room and drop to my knees in front of her, grabbing one of the tests before she can hide it. Looking at it, I see two lines, but I have no idea what that means.

“I…I didn’t know. I swear I haven’t missed any of my pills. I?—”

“Are you pregnant?” I cut her off, and she nods while her chin wobbles.

“I’m sorry.” She covers her face with her hands, and my gut twists.

“Baby.” I wrap my arms around her and pull her against my chest. “Please, don’t cry.”