Page 72 of Sizzling Desire

The entire bar dissolves into absolutechaos.

Florence hollers from the karaoke stage. “Best. Party. Ever!”

Kane pulls me against his chest, shaking his head fondly. “Admit it, Gracie,” he murmurs, lips brushing my temple. “You love the chaos.”

I groan, but maybe he’s right, and, somehow, I know this is only the beginning.

Chapter 19

Grace

Kate stretches out on my bed, arms behind her head, looking far too at home for someone who has an entire wedding to get through tomorrow. Her hair is splayed out over my pillow, and she’s in her silk pajama shorts and tank top like she has no cares in the world. Meanwhile, I’m pacing at the foot of the bed, rubbing my stomach like I can will the nerves out of my body.

It’s not my wedding tomorrow. I should be relaxed, but I’m not.

Kane has been acting like I’m some kind of fragile, breakable thing ever since I told him about the baby, and for the first time in our entire complicated history, I don’t know how to deal with him.

I cross my arms and lean against the dresser. “He follows me everywhere, Kate. I’m not even joking. I had to practically shove him out of the bathroom this morning just so I could pee in peace.”

Kate laughs, adjusting one of the pillows behind her back. “He does have a caveman streak.”

“A caveman streak?” I repeat, glaring at her. “Kate, he broke the dishwasher yesterday because I was bending to loadthe bottom rack, and he decided I ‘shouldn’t be straining myself.’”

Kate snorts. “Okay, that’s… extreme.”

I throw up my hands. “Ya think?! It’s like he woke up one morning and decided that because I’m pregnant, I can’t do anything on my own anymore. I swear, if he tries to carry me up the stairs one more time, I’m going to fight him.”

Kate hums thoughtfully. “And yet, you let him hover.”

I freeze mid-pace. “Excuse me?”

She grins, sitting up slightly. “You let him hover. You let him tell you to sit down, let him get you water, let him order you food when you’re being too stubborn to eat.” She arches a brow. “You let him do all of it, Grace.”

I glare at her, but it’s completely ineffective because she knows me too damn well.

“It’s annoying,” I argue.

Kate laughs again. “Yeah, but you like it.”

I exhale sharply and flop down onto the bed next to her. “Maybe. A little.”

Kate nudges me with her knee. “A little?”

I groan. “Fine. It’s nice, okay? But it’s also infuriating.”

Kate grins. “Because you’re a control freak.”

“I am not,” I grumble.

“You are, too,” Kate says, rolling onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow. “And now you have a guy who genuinely wants to take care of you, and it’s messing with your entire identity.”

I make a noise that’s somewhere between a huff and a whine. “It’s just… a lot, Kate.” I roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. “We went from avoiding each other for over a year to this—and I don’t know what to do with it.”

Kate’s quiet for a second, then she shifts so she’s closer, resting her chin on her hand. “What isthis, exactly?”

I turn my head to look at her.

“Between you and Kane,” she clarifies. “Where do you two actually stand?”

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