Page 54 of The Wedding Planner's Manny
“Why would you think that?” I asked, sitting down next to him. Why was he so sad?
“Because I didn't get the boy I liked either.”
Oh no.“Giving him that book didn't work?”
“It wasn't the book. He liked the book. He just likes someone else better than me. He told me on Christmas.”
That was bitter. I rubbed Nathan's back, knowing exactly what it felt like to see your crush with someone else. It seemed like the dog was feeling sympathetic too, because he climbed off me and curled up in Nathan's lap. Good boy. “I'm sorry,” I said, my hand still on Nathan's back. “Sometimes that's just the way it is and the people we like are already taken. It sucks, but it happens.”
“Like how Dad can't have you because you are already taken?” Nathan glanced at my belly again.
“That I'm pregnant doesn't mean that I'm taken,” I explained. “Life can be a lot more complex than you might think.”
He chewed on that thought for a while, eyes narrowed as if he was working on a difficult math problem. “What do you do when someone you like is already taken?” he asked eventually.
“There's not much youcando.”
“Does that mean you just give up?”
“You don't give up, youmove on.It's something you learn to do a lot as you grow up,” I promised.
“You can't make someone love you or choose you over someone else when they've already made their decision. I know it's hard, but there's lots of omegas out there. There'll be one for you too.”
“Are you sure about that? Because it doesn't feel that way.” Nathan's gaze drifted to the floor. “I'm not one of the cool kids.”
“It doesn't matter if you are. I was never one of the cool kids either. I know right now it feels like school is your whole life, but I promise you it isn't. There's so much more ahead and you're a fantastic young alpha. You'll find your match. Now chin up, because I've got some good news for you.”
“Yeah?” Nathan shot me a curious look, and even the puppy tilted his small head at me.
“If you wanted to get me and your dad together, you managed.”
“Seriously?” Nathan's eyes grew wide. “But you're...”
“Pregnant, yes. Your dad doesn't mind because he's also a fantastic alpha.” A good role model for Nathan, if Nathan chose to see him that way.
Nathan brightened almost immediately. “Yes!” he said, punching the air. The puppy startled and jumped off his lap, only to shoot him an accusing look from the floor.
“Why does that make you so happy anyway?” I asked, focusing back on Nathan.
“Because my plan worked!” He grinned at me. Maybe he was more like his dad than he wanted to admit. “If you're dating my dad then you're going to stay with us,” he continued. “I won't have to deal with any more stupid nannies or lose my pets. Also, it'll be good for Caleb if you stay.” He said that last part almost a little too lightly, as if he didn't want me to catch on to how important that was to him. It was sweet how much he cared about his little brother. Once he grew up a little more, he'd make a great partner to any omega who could handle him.
“I'm glad you're so happy about this. Your dad and I were going to tell you later tonight. Caleb too.”
“I'm sure Caleb will be happy too! This is great! When are you going to move in?”
Okay, Nathan was movinga littletoo fast now. “Not for a while. You don't move in together that early in a relationship.”
“Why not? Do you not want to live with us?”
“It's not that. It's that we don't know each other well enough yet.”
“Does that mean you're thinking about breaking up?”
“No, but you need to be careful making big decisions like that.” I'd certainly learned the hard way not to jump into marriage and cohabitation.
Before Nathan could ask another question, we heard footsteps in the hall and turned to the door. A moment later, Ethan entered the room, a freshly bathed Caleb following behind him.
“Rhys!” Caleb exclaimed when he saw me and then he ran to the couch as quickly as his little feet could carry him. I stood and swooped him up in my arms. He'd only been gone for a week and a half but I'd missed the little guy.
