Page 135 of This Woman Forever

She visibly softens before me. “I won’t.” Smiling mildly at my obvious relief, she strokes though my messy hair. It’s as I thought—she just doesn’t like being told. “Go get me a medium cooked steak,” she says, following it up with a kiss before sitting herself back down. “And I’d like that dressing on my salad.”

I leave her at the bar and head to the kitchen, finding Pete. “So it’s two medium steaks.”

Poor Pete looks so lost. “Okay, Mr. Ward.” He takes one step, and I reach for his arm, stopping him.

I look over my shoulder to the corridor that leads back to the entrance hall. She can’t possibly hear me. “But make one closer to well-done, okay?”

His frown is epic. “So medium well-done?”

“Yeah, but we’ll call it medium when it’s served, okay?”

“Mr. Ward,” Pete says, exasperated. “Is everything okay? You seem a bit.. strung.”

I release a bark of laughter, dropping my hold. “I’m fine, Pete.” I scrub a hand down my face. “Ava’s pregnant.”

“Oh, wow,” he breathes. “Congratulations.”

“A baby!”

I jump out of my skin as Mario shuffles past with a tray of clean glasses. “I see a bloom!” he sings, and I chuckle. “Marvelous news, Mr. Ward. Most marvelous.”

“Thanks, Mario.” No celebrating with the marvelous stuff, though.

I leave a stunned Pete to order us two steaks, one disguised as a medium, and head back to Ava, happy.

But my smile drops like a rock and I skid to a stop, my mouth gaping, when I encounter something in the entrance hall I really didn’t expect.

21

Sam and Kate are in a full-blown embrace, eating each other alive by the doors. Jesus Christ. “Get a room, you two,” I call, disturbing them.

Sam turns a cunning smirk my way, and Kate—it’s ridiculous—gets all flustered. “We were just about to, actually,” he says, adjusting his groin area.

“What?”

“Is Ava here?” Kate asks, looking slightly apprehensive.

“Yeah, she’s here.” And she’s going to flip her lid when she sees you, Kate.

“Great,” she quips, looking up at Sam. He smiles his reassurance and circles his arm around her waist, walking her toward me.

“So,” I say, waving a hand between them. “You two are...” Exclusive? Dating? Fucking? What?

Sam’s grin widens, and Kate presses her lips together. Oh God, Ava’s going to freak the fuck out.

I pick up my feet quickly to make it to Ava before they do. She’s still at the bar when I get there, smiling. “Just remember,” I say, glancing over my shoulder, “none of our business.”

She looks confused. To be expected, I suppose. “What? What are you talking about?”

I cringe, hearing Sam’s laugh behind me. Here we go. I don’t know if she’ll be shocked because Kate’s not with Dan or if she’s here with Sam. Obviously not for a regular date per se.

I know the second Ava’s clocked them because her face falls. “What the hell?” She hops off her stool.

And I put her straight back on again.

“Ava.” She’s shocked. Emotional. Might have endless questions about her brother, among other things. But I’ll have to hold her back for now.

For a moment I’m worried she’s heard my thoughts because she glares at me in disbelief. “Who else have you told?”

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