Page 69 of Love Is Ale You Need

“Would it be weird if I asked the doctor if we can try?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I’m going to ask her.”

She narrows her gaze at me and gives me the motherly scold. “If you ask her, so help me god, we’ll no longer play Treyfleupagus Goes Muff Diving.”

My smile dissolves. “But that’s my favorite game.”

* * *

Later that evening, I’m sitting at a restaurant with Miles and Bennett. While me and Miles were finishing drone footage for a massive six-bedroom house, Bennett texted me. I told him to meet us for dinner once we were done.

I push the risotto around on my plate. The ultrasound appointment earlier today still hasn’t completely hit me. I’m going to be a dad. I’m going to be responsible for the wellbeing of a tiny human.

I glance at Miles’ plate. “You’re eating my child.”

Miles slowly pulls the fork from his mouth and raises a questioning eyebrow.

“You’re eating my child,” I repeat.

He spits his food out into a napkin. “What are you talking about?”

“Your duck with plum sauce. The plum. It’s the size of my unborn kid.”

“Wait. Rylee? Rylee‘s pregnant?”

Bennett’s fork falls to his plate with a clatter.

All I can do is nod.

“Congratulations! That’s super exciting,” Miles’ tone would be infectious to any other person, but I’m still trying to process the situation.

I keep my gaze on my still full plate of food.

Bennett chuckles. “Holy shit. Seth is going to get a kick out of this.”

“Thanks asshole.” I frown. “This is all your fault. You all had to go out and fucking find love and shit. Then you had to be so goddamn happy. And now you’re making me question the last ten years of my single life.”

Bennett rests his elbows on the table. “Shit is scary. Every day I thank god that Charlie’s in my life. That she hasn’t left me because she can do better. Every morning, I make sure she knows my world is nothing without her.” He lifts one shoulder and lets it drop while his lips tip up into a smile. “That helps reinforce the never leave me part. But you can’t let the fear dictate your life. It’s more than falling in love. It’s finding your soulmate. Someone you can’t live without. That’s worth more than all the fear in the world.”

I scrub my hands down my face.

Miles nods along with everything Bennett says. “That was really beautiful.”

I roll my eyes. “Charlie has the rose-colored glasses shoved on his face.”

Bennett barks out a laugh. “We waited a long time for cupid to bitch slap his arrow across your face. I guess he used two since you’re also having a kid.”

I shove my plate away, not even hungry in the slightest. “I don’t know how to feel right now.” I blow out a breath. “Yes, I’m excited. Yes, I’m scared shitless.”

“Well, given your history...” Miles shrugs a shoulder. “She’s being honest?”

I pull out the ultrasound picture and slide it across the table. “The doctor handed it to me herself.” All three of us stare at the picture. “I also asked her to marry me.”

Bennett laughs and shakes his head. Miles coughs and sputters on a bite of food. I prepare myself to give him the Heimlich, which I’ve done once before. Granted, it was to my neighbor’s dog, but tomayto, tomahto.

Once Miles regains his composure, he asks, “You’re getting married?”

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