Page 46 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
“Why don't you invite that one or two to lunch at the restaurant in my building? I'll join you if I can get a few minutes away from my desk.”
“We're not pretending I'm your dirty little secret today?”
Brahnt sighed. “You are not a secret.” His voice lowered. “Youarea dirty Human, but no one but me knows that.”
Charlotte said nothing. Everyone had delulu moments. One just had to ride it out.
Brahnt snorted. “I have to go. Do what I tell you to do, and when I get home we'll discuss how to keep you occupied and out of trouble for the next several months now that you’re off work.”
Charlotte disconnected, texted both her exes to see if one would bite, and considered her life choices.
She supposed she could start looking up Lamaze classes, and researching local childcare and preschools, but there was plenty of time for that. Well, since her twin was busy, maybe one of the exes could give her some perspective; their opinions on what would suit Charlotte as far as the hobby might be interesting.
And right on cue, Michael texted back.
Haven't heard from you in a while. I won't pretend I'm not free, so just tell me when and where.
Charlotte grinned, texted the name of the restaurant and the address, and rose to dress.
Snowkiss followed her to the bedroom. She settled on stylish but not trying hard. Dark wash jeans with a corset waist belt over a white blouse. Comfy, but slightly steampunk. She wasn't showing much yet, and probably wouldn't for several more weeks since this was her first pregnancy and her abs could give Jungkook a run for his money.
Charlotte put Snowkiss in her carrier, slung the dog around her chest and left the bedroom. She waved at Caro, who jerked a chin but didn't move from her seat at the kitchen table, and then Charlotte was out the door.
Michael gave her a one-armed hug when Charlotte met him at the outdoor restaurant in Brahnt's office building, eyeing the small dog. There had been some trouble at the door when Charlotte showed up, but she’d pulled rank.
Otherwise known as the “I’m Brahnt Stonefist’s girlfriend” card.
She had no shame.
“Long time no see,” Michael said, a dark-skinned African-American man with close-cut hair and warm amber-brown eyes. “So what's new? Besides the dog.”
Snowkiss yipped. Charlotte slid into a chair and they talked between placing orders. Charlotte kept her order light since her appetite was throttled this time of day. She’d nibble on something to placate Brahnt when she asked.
“I’m on a dance hiatus,” Charlotte admitted as Snowkiss squirmed in her carrier.
Michael blinked, and almost choked. “You? You're kidding me. What prompted that? You're too young for a midlife crisis.”
Charlotte grinned, rather sheepish. “I got knocked up. In fact, the baby daddy might meet us here today.”
She unslung Snowkiss from her chest and sat her under the table. Snowkiss yipped a few more times, but Charlotte wasn’t about to let her out. She brought a treat out of the side pocket, thinking about diaper bags and double strollers.
Michael sat back in his chair, eyes widening. Then he laughed. “I can't believe it. You're obsessive about nothing interfering with your career.” But he paused, leaning an elbow on the table. “Though you did always talk about wanting to start a family. Was it an accident?”
“We kind of have to define the word accident.” Charlotte wrinkled her nose and took a sip of her lemon water. “I have a feeling the baby daddy knew what he was doing. I was just caught up in the pheromones.”
“Pheromones? Oh fuck, an Orc?”
“Dude.”
Michael shook his head. “I don't know if I should congratulate you or smack you upside the head. I hope he's worth it.”
“I share your sentiment,” a cool voice said.
Charlotte turned her head, then shot out of her chair and slid an arm around Brahnt's waist, kissing him on the cheek.
At the last second Brahnt turned his head, claiming her lips, and because she opened her eyes a few seconds before the kiss ended, she saw Brahnt staring at Michael.
Orcs.
