Page 62 of Wasted

Her cheeks flushed with heat. “Of course not.” She spotted his teasing grin too late. She should have known he’d only said that to embarrass her. “If you must know, I volunteer here.”

“Of course you do.” His grin gave way to a lesser smile that matched the softening of his eyes. Was that approval that shone in his gaze?

Why that pinched her chest, she didn’t need to ponder at the moment. “I’d better hurry, or I’ll be late for an appointment.” She headed for the front door.

“Right. Let’s go.” He passed her and reached the door first. He swung it open, gesturing for her to go through. He was going in with her? That was the last thing she?—

“Victoria!” Sydney hauled herself out of a chair beside her brother in the lobby and hurried to Victoria, her hand on her large belly. “You made it.” Her smile beamed, making Victoria very thankful the Lord had rearranged her schedule so she could be there.

“I did. I had some unexpected cancellations today.” As in, the entire day’s worth of clients. But Sydney didn’t need to hear that saga. She had enough drama in her own life.

Victoria returned the girl’s hug as best she could around the baby she was carrying.

“Yay! I’m so happy you’re here.” As Sydney pulled back, her gaze jumped behind Victoria. To Cillian, judging from the upward trajectory.

Wonderful. Now more people in Victoria’s life would learn about him and likely arrive at mistaken assumptions. Nevertheless, she wouldn’t be rude.

She angled to see Sydney and Cillian. “Sydney, I’d like you to meet Cillian Doherty, my co-worker.”

He shot her a glance at the co-worker description. What did he expect her to call him?

She pressed on as if she hadn’t noticed. “Cillian, this is Sydney Morris, my friend.”

“Delighted to meet you, Sydney.” He gave the teen a charming smile as he took her small hand in his.

Sydney giggled, her wide eyes sparkling.

It was remarkable how many women reacted to Cillian that way. No wonder he tended toward cockiness.

“Victoria’s been my mentor for like six months, but she’s never mentioned you.” Sydney kept her attention on Cillian, her head tilted back for her to aim her mesmerized smile up at him.

“Is that so?” He sent Victoria a teasing glance as he released Sydney’s hand. “I guess I’m a secret she likes to keep all to herself.” He winked at the girl with that rakish grin he used to wear as a teen whenever he wasn’t sulking at people.

Warren stalked toward them, a frown on his face as he scanned Cillian as if sizing him up.

“Cillian, this is Warren, Sydney’s brother.”

“Hi.” Cillian extended his hand to the tall eighteen-year-old who was only an inch or two shorter than Cillian. “Good to meet you.”

Warren didn’t take Cillian’s hand. He likely wasn’t happy with the way Sydney was clearly charmed by Cillian. Couldn’t blame Warren, given that his sister had been charmed and impregnated by an older man. It was good someone cared enough to protect Sydney.

“He’s a friend of mine, Warren.”

The teen’s brown eyes, a duplicate of Sydney’s, went to Victoria, then shifted back to Cillian. He stuck out his hand and gripped Cillian’s with a nod.

Victoria glanced at the clock that hung on the wall of the lobby. “Sydney and I have an appointment. Warren, are you staying?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I’m taking her home after.”

“Good. I’ll see you when we’re done, then.” Victoria let her gaze go to Cillian. She assumed he would say goodbye or turn to leave.

“See you afterward.” He was staying, too?

She bit her tongue and guided Sydney past the front desk to the exam room. The problem was, Victoria didn’t know what she would have said—tell him to go or thank him for waiting. Her swelling heart was at war with her better judgment. Lord willing, the latter would win the battle by the next time she saw Cillian.

“Later, brother.” Cillian gave Warren a fist bump dap.

“Later.” The kid jerked a nod and swung away to lead his sister to the front door of the pregnancy center.