Page 90 of The Hotel Room

But when she glanced at Noah—

His brows were furrowed, lips pressed together, his gaze shifting sharply between her and James.

“So...that’s what all this has been about?” His voice was quieter, more careful.

Kate blinked. “What do you mean?”

Noah’s arms uncrossed, and he leaned forward slightly, his voice measured.

“The fighting. The...whatever is going on between you two. You guys haven’t been right for months, and now you’re telling us you’re having a baby? So...is that what caused all of this?”

Kate felt James stiffen slightly beside her. She opened her mouth, struggling for the words, but James beat her to it.

“That’s private, Noah,” he said gently but firmly. “Adult business. I know things have felt tense lately, but this baby isn’t the reason for that. It’s a blessing. A part of our family. And we’re both really,reallyhappy about it.”

Kate nodded, but Noah’s gaze didn’t waver.

There was still so much uncertainty there.

And then—

Noah tilted his head, lips quirking into a smirk that looked far too much like his father’s.

“Well...I guess you obviously didn’t follow the contraceptive advice you gaveme, huh?”

Silence.

A loud, heavy, unbearable silence.

Lily blinked, her head tilting in confusion. “What’s contra—”

“Noah.” Kate’s face flamed, heat rushing up her neck as she stared at her son in disbelief.

James groaned, covering his face with one hand. Noah’s smirk died as he considered the implications of his joke.

“Forget I said that. Seriously. Forget it.” He scrubbed a hand down his face, cheeks turning as red as Kate’s felt.

James shook his head, half-laughing despite the tension.

Kate took a steadying breath, her heart still racing, but when she looked back at Lily—

She was still beaming.

Completely oblivious to the awkwardness, just filled with pure, unfiltered excitement.

“Mommy, can I help with the nursery?Please?”

Kate softened, the tension easing just a little.

“Of course you can, sweetheart. We’ll all work on it together.”

James cleared his throat, his voice quieter but steady.

“I’ll help too. We can paint it together. Make it perfect.”

Kate felt his hand brush hers, tentative, and then his fingers curled gently around hers, warm and familiar. She didn’t pull away.

For just a heartbeat, she let herself believe it.

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