“Yes, it’s huge news, I’m happy for them,” he whispers so only I can hear. “He’s going to make an amazing dad. He’s already one to Lizard.”
I watch as his gaze moves to his friend, who’s holding Mallory closely, his eyes on the little girl sitting at the table. “They’re not married though, right?”
“No,” Jasper replies, glancing to the little girl at the table. “They’ve only been together a handful of months, but that doesn’t matter. They’re perfect for each other.”
“Is Jasper Kohlmann a closet romantic?” I tease, picking up a tartlet and taking a bite. The flavor exploding on my tongue.
Jasper snorts. “Uhh, no. You don’t get romance with me, sweets.”
“No?” I ask, slowly chewing the delicious food.
“Nope. No wine or roses here. But if you want mind-blowing orgasms, and lots of them, I’m your man.” He throws me a wolfish grin just to punctuate his statement, causing my core to clench with need. I remember his lips and the wicked kiss we shared Friday night. The man was born to kiss, and I can only imagine what he can do with that mouth on other parts of my body.
I almost throw my hand in the air and ask where I sign up for the orgasms.
Almost.
“What do we have here?” Mallory asks, approaching the counter and diving into the platters. “Ohhh, is this beef in these little flower petal things?”
“It is,” he answers, pointing to each dish and giving a list of ingredients. My brother comes over and takes a few appetizers, quickly followed by Jameson and Lizzie. Jasper moves to the oven, leaving Mallory and me alone by the refrigerator.
“I’m not sure I like her much,” she mumbles, nodding to where Savannah stands off to the side, typing away on her phone.
Come to think of it, she’s been off to the side on her phone since I got here. She’s barely given Isaac, let alone anyone else in the room, a second glance. But I don’t know her. Maybe she’s a workaholic and in contact with her job or a client. Or maybe she has a sick family member needing her attention. Either way, I don’t feel I can judge her completely, even if my gut tells me she’s not someone I’d consider a friend.
“Oh, well, I don’t really know her,” I reply diplomatically.
She chuckles. “Me either, but I can tell she’s no good for Numbers. Walker says he’s completely hung up on her too, but she keeps jerking him around. For that, I hate her. He’s my friend, the first person to help me when I moved to town, and I don’t like her screwing with his head.”
What do I say to that?
“How are you feeling?” I ask, trying to change the subject to a more manageable topic.
She sighs and pops a hip against the counter. “Okay, I guess. I mean, I’m not sick yet, even though I’ve been nauseous the last few days. It’s still early though,” she says with a shrug as her eyes move to her daughter.
“Are you okay?” I ask, noticing a slight melancholy in her gaze.
She looks back and smiles. “Yeah, I am. I guess this just hasn’t sunk in yet. Yesterday I was shopping with Walker, picking out Christmas gifts for Lizzie, and today I’m pregnant with another child.” She gives me a sad look. “It’s been a wild twenty-four hours.”
I bark out a laugh. “I bet.”
She glances to Walker, the softest smile playing on her lips. “I always wanted another baby, maybe even two more. I guess I just thought I’d be married this time around when it happened, you know?”
It’s as if Walker has supersonic hearing, and suddenly he’s moving our way. He stops and grabs Lizzie off Jameson’s lap before he approaches where we stand. There’s something in his eyes, so assuring and resolute. “Lou, it’s showtime.”
The little girl beams with excitement as she’s placed on her feet in front of her mom, smiling like the cat that ate the canary. “We dot a prize for you, Mommy!” she exclaims, her blonde curls pulled into pigtails.
“A prize?” she replies, grinning at her daughter.
“Surprise,” Walker states, handing something to Lizzie.
I take a step back, so I’m not in the middle of whatever moment is happening, only to run directly into Jasper’s hard body. He places his hands on my upper arms to keep me from stumbling and pulls me back against his chest. I don’t complain. How can I? It’s a really nice, muscular chest.
“Mommy, Daddy Walk has a kestion for you. I already tolded him yes. I wanted him to be my daddy forever,” she announces, handing her mom a folded piece of paper.
With shaking hands, Mallory opens the note and bursts into tears. She drops to her knees and throws her arms around Lizzie and Walker, who has remained on his knees. One knee, in particular.
“What’s on the paper?” I whisper, my eyes glued to the scene playing out before us.
“I don’t know, but I have a pretty good idea,” Jasper murmurs, his warm breath tickling my ear. We’re so close.
I glance around and find everyone watching, waiting, and smiling. Even Savannah seems to have pulled her attention away from the phone in her hand to witness this beautiful moment.
“Mallory Sargant, you are the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever known. You are kind and loyal and have the biggest heart.” He glances at Lizzie, who’s still standing at his side, smiling. “The day you and Lou came into my life was the day I finally found my happiness.”
He takes a deep breath and pulls a ring from his pocket. “This morning, we found out a pretty shocking surprise, but it doesn’t scare me. How can it when I’ve seen how amazing your daughter is? Our son or daughter will be just as blessed to call you Mom. I’m not scared. There’s no doubt in my mind that you were put on this earth for me. You and Lou,” he adds, smiling down at the little blonde.
“So, Lizzie and I have a question for you. Lou?”
“Mommy, will you marwe Daddy Walk? Pwease say yes!” the child proclaims, bouncing up and down with excitement.
“Yes,” she whispers, swiping at the tears streaming down her face. “Let’s become an official family.”
I sniffle as I watch Walker slip the ring onto her finger and pull her in for a long kiss. The room erupts in cheers once more. I glance up at the same time Jasper looks down, and I can’t help but smile at the wetness I see gathered in the corner of his eye. “That was amazing,” I mutter as he pulls me closer and hugs me tightly.
“It was. No one deserves a happy ending more than him. He’s long overdue,” he replies, smiling as one of his best friends receives another round of congratulatory hugs.
I step up to congratulate my new friend. Mallory quickly pulls me into a hug. “We’re friends now,” she states with a sniffle. “That means we hug.”
It takes a second, but I return the gesture right away. How long has it been since I’ve truly had friends? A long time. So to be on the receiving end of one of her hugs and a declaration of friendship, I can’t help but smile happily. “Congratulations,” I tell her, dabbing at my eyes once more.
“Thank you. I can’t believe he just did that. We practically stole your and Jasper’s thunder.”
“Our what?” I ask, laughing.