Page 67 of Mine to Worship

“I’m sorry, but I can’t stay any longer.”

I pout. “But we didn’t get to spend any time together.”

“Another time.”

“But it’s the weekend,” I say. We barely had any time to catch up.

Heat pokes at his cheeks, and he mumbles, “The assistant executive from hell is counting every hour I am away.”

“Uh huh,” Aubrey says knowingly, then adds, “Is there something more going on?”

He doesn't answer her, instead he pats my leg, and I follow him to the car.

“He loves you,” Brandon says when we’re alone. A little stone piques my interest. “Hear him out and don’t divorce him. And if you don’t believe me, when a man in our family gets a divorce, he loses everything. But Kian doesn’t care, because if granting you divorce means he can pay for his mistakes and it would make you happy, he would. Without a second thought.”

He would because he loves me that much. My Kian. I’m a lucky woman. Ease and warmth spread in my chest calling out a never-ending summer day.

I wrap my arms around his chest and thank him for telling me this.

“You know, you could tell him you want me to be the godfather.”

“And here I thought your reasons were noble.” I raise my chin and his face turns sad. I can see the desire to correct his past mistakes.

“I’ll see what I can do, but Kendrick is hard to beat,” I say.

“It’s like he’s a giant bear, all protective and responsible. But I’m family, even if ours is more fucked up than others.” He kisses my cheek and climbs into his convertible. I wave at him as he speeds away.

When I turn around, I find Kian leaning against the garage door.

“Let me guess, he got you on board with making him the godfather?”

He pushes off the door and we walk towards each other; two magnets being drawn together without ever escaping the pull.

“It seems important to him,” I say when I reach him.

“I’ll think about it.”

I lock my hands around his neck. “I know a side of him you don’t. I would be extremely happy with him as the godfather of our baby. You left him in charge as a test and he succeeded because you wouldn’t be this relaxed otherwise. Brandon will love our child.”

He smiles and we walk back to the others. The smell of grilled meat and mixed vegetables floods my nostrils. I push everyone out of my way, ignoring their protests, and grab the first plate I see, filling it high with food.

When I look up and notice them staring at me, I counter with a shrug. “I’m eating for two!”

“Really? I bet you’re having triplets with all of that food on your plate.”

Kian smacks Jason on the head.

“Ignore him, angel. He’s just mad you got the piece of meat that he had his eye on.”

I take a seat on the lounge. “You mean this one?” I bite into it and moan.

Jason’s jaw drops and Kian smirks with pride. He loves my bad side.

“Pregnant ladies always get the special treatment,” Aubrey complains.

Jason pulls her to him and whatever he whispers in her ear has her turning beet red.

I bite into my corn and say through a mouthful, “This is so good.”

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