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Chapter Thirty-Seven

Eva

R oman was acting weird this morning. We’d had a great evening last night, playing poker until dinner came. He even insisted I sleep in his bed with him. He didn’t kiss or touch me, which had me questioning things.

Just when I convinced myself it was all in my head, he got all nervous when I asked him where he was going this morning. Ever since he left, my mind has come up with far too many scenarios of where he could be.

None of them are pleasant.

Jessie would be an amazing person to have here, but she’s caught in a custody hearing. Obviously, that is more important than me making up shit in my head because I’m too insecure to ask him to tell me the truth about where he is going and not be cagey.

I know I can’t ask him where we stand two days after I get out of the hospital. I’m the one who shot his I love you down. Maybe it’s just the morning sickness getting to me. I open another one of the suckers he got me and viciously suck on it, willing it to make a difference.

These things aren’t doing anything.

The front door opens just as I get up to toss the sucker out in frustration. Roman walks in, holding the door open for someone behind him.

My mouth parts slightly. “Walker.”

He strolls in with Roman and shuts the door. “Hey, sis.”

I nod my head, biting my lip to try to stop the tears as relief floods my insides.

He walks up to me and opens his arms. I fall into his embrace. His bear hug is always something that made me feel better.

“Be right back,” he quips as we pull apart. “Nature calls.”

I giggle as he runs off. Roman approaches with his hands in his pockets. His cheek looks pretty awful, but it’s got a sexy, dangerous vibe to it. I’m kinda digging it.

“What did you do?” I ask him.

He shrugs his shoulders. “Nothing. Just met him for some coffee this morning.”

“Oh, really? As simple as that? Did you pay him off? Do you have dirt on him? Is this extortion?”

His smirk sends a shiver down my spine.

He grabs my hand. “Let’s just say we talked, and he wants to be here for you. The rest will work itself out.”

Walker comes strolling back into the room. I can see his shoulders stiffen a bit when he sees my hand in Roman’s. My smile fades as I realize we have some things to talk about. He’s not over this.

“I’ll leave you two to talk,” Roman says as he drops my hand gently after giving it an encouraging squeeze. “I’ll be in my office.”

There’s an awkward moment as Walker and I stand in silence. I’m not sure how to start this conversation. We’ve always been on the same side of a dilemma. It’s never been us against one another. It feels foreign.

“Let’s go sit down on the couch.” He eventually breaks the silence. “You need your rest, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” I reply cautiously. “I guess.”

What felt like an incredible moment of joy at seeing his face in Roman’s apartment just minutes ago suddenly has taken on a different tone.

We take a seat on the same couch, each of us on a different end. I turn my body inward to face him and place a pillow in my lap to get comfy.

My nerves get the best of me, and I immediately start talking. “I’m so sorry, Walker. I know we messed up. It should have never happened behind your back.”

“Yeah, it shouldn’t have,” he states.

I look down at my hands, not sure how to respond. I’m filled with so much guilt over lying to him.

I hear him sigh and glance at his watchful eyes.

“Look”—he runs a hand through his hair, something I think he’s done a lot this morning— “I get it. If you had approached me with it, I would have said no way. It’s not like that would have gone any better.”

“You would have?” I question, wondering why that would have been his response.

“Of course. You’re my sister, and he’s my best friend. I’ve seen him at his worst behavior. I’ve heard him say things that you wouldn’t want to hear from the man who wants to date your sister.”

I turn down my mouth in understanding. “I get that.”

“What I just said is between you and me. Roman still has some major groveling to do to me.”

“But your friendship isn’t completely destroyed?” I ask hopefully.

He smiles. “I think we’ll make it through … eventually. Especially since I’m going to be an uncle to his baby.”

My eyes sting with emotion. “You’re going to make the best uncle.”

“And you … a mom. This baby is so lucky to have you. You’re going to be a natural. Especially since you’ve had so many experiences with our parents of what not to do.”

I snort and laugh through my tears. “Oh God. Mom is probably on cloud nine right now. She loves the money and power that will come with her daughter having Roman Bertini’s baby.”

He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, about that. Tag. You’re it. I’m no longer fielding their phone calls about how you’re doing now that you’re home and doing well.”

I gasp. “Ugh, seriously?”

“I am not dealing with that anymore.”

I chuckle at how dramatic he sounds right now, pouting like a child. “Fine. I’ll call her when you leave. Besides, maybe she’ll be a pretty good grandma.”

“Ha! She’s already insisted the word grandma doesn’t fit her. Makes her sound too old. Why don’t you go ahead and ask her what her other options are? You’ll love them.”

He winks, and I slap his arm.

He looks over his shoulder. “I think he’ll be a good dad too,” he whispers. “If there’s one thing I know about Roman, it’s that once he has his mind and heart set on something, he gives it his all.”

Another flutter of hope builds in my chest—stubborn and growing, no matter how hard I try to ignore it.