“It was hot,” I toss that out with a smile. “It made me very, very wet.”
He stares at me, not saying anything for a few seconds. “If I didn’t have to get back to Roxy, I’d toss you on that couch behind me and go down on you again.”
I want nothing more, but I need time to catch my breath.
Today has been one of the most incredible of my life.
“There’s always next time,” I say with confidence.
“And the time after that and the time after that,” he adds as he moves to stand.
He rounds the table, leaning down to kiss my mouth softly. “Thank you for everything.”
I reach up to stroke his jaw. “No other women while I’m in New York, right?”
He grabs my hand to press his lips to my palm. “Now, who is jealous?”
I laugh it off, but I’m already dreading the moment I board the plane to go back to London because he’ll be free to go back to his life before me, and I’ll become a distant memory to him.
“What’s so urgent?” I ask as soon as Declan opens the door to his apartment.
He called me twenty minutes after Harry left to ask me to meet him. His voice had a panicked note that I haven’t heard often.
Decky motions for me to enter, so I do.
I didn’t take time to think about what to wear or how my hair looked. I slipped on a pair of jeans and a white sweatshirt and tied my hair back in a ponytail.
“Sean and Callie are having a baby,” he says.
I stare at him. “I was there for the announcement, remember?”
He pokes a finger into my shoulder. “I remember, but seriously, Ava, Sean is going to be a dad.”
I can’t tell if this is shock or something else.
It’s been two days since we found out our brother and his fiancée are expecting. I’m still floating on cloud nine for them, but I know it’s early, and expectations have to be tempered.
“We need a special gift for them,” he goes on. “Something one-of-a-kind that is only for them and the baby.”
Since Callie explained that her due date is seven months away, I remind Declan of that. “When they’re past the first trimester, we can start thinking about that.”
“I’ve already been thinking about it.” He shoves a hand through his hair. “Compose a lullaby for the baby, Ava. I’ll help you get it recorded. It can be just for Baby Wells.”
Tears fill my eyes. “Do you think they would like that?”
He grabs hold of my shoulders. “I think it’s the perfect gift. What better gift to give this baby than something special created by you?”
Not wanting to jinx anything, I suck in a deep breath to level my emotions. “Once Callie is in her second trimester, I’ll start working on that.”
“Good.” He nods.
I study his face. “Has this made you think about having kids, Declan?”
He drops his gaze to the front of his white button-down shirt. “I suppose it has.”
“You can have a baby on your own.” I smile. “Unless you’re set on the old-fashioned way, and you’ve got a specific woman in mind.”
He chuckles. “No woman in mind, Ava.”
I’m not surprised. Just like me, Declan keeps his personal life very private. I’ve never met anyone he’s been involved with.
“What about you?” he questions with a grin. “Do you see yourself settling down with kids one day?”
I skirt around that because I don’t know the answer to that question yet. “I’m twenty-one, Decky. Give me a few years before you start asking the tough questions.”
He moves to kiss my forehead. “Looks like we’ll have to settle for being an aunt and uncle for the foreseeable future.”
“That works for me.”
“For me too.” He nods. “Since you’re here, why don’t I make some popcorn, and we can watch a movie?”
We haven’t done that in a very long time. “As long as I can pick the movie, I’ll stay.”
He nods. “I’ll agree to that.”
As he starts to walk away, I beckon him back with a pat on his shoulder. “There’s a movie coming out in theaters in a few weeks that I’m dying to see. I thought we could all go together. You, Sean, Callie, and me, and mom and dad too since they’ll be back in New York.”
“Family night at the movies?” A smile ghosts his mouth. “I’m in, Ava. It sounds like a good time to me.”
It’s going to be more than that. It’s going to be one of the most important nights of my life, and I can’t wait for my family to share it with me.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Harrison
“Why the hell have you been avoiding me, Harry?”
I’d know that voice anywhere.
I look up to see Sean standing in the doorway of my office. It’s midday, so he’s sporting a suit and tie. I’m dressed the same, except I didn’t get a tie around my neck before I left for work this morning.
I’ve spent much of the week juggling what needs to be done here with spending time with Roxy. That has left me with no time with Ava.
Other than a few short text message exchanges, we haven’t connected since I was at her apartment.
“I’m taking care of a kid and her lizard,” I remind him.
“Don’t call him that to his face.” He smirks. “It hurts Mr. Greenface’s heart when you do that.”
I laugh. “I take it Roxy told you that the other night.”
He pats the inner pocket of his suit jacket. “Rox and I have been texting non-stop for days.”
That shouldn’t surprise me in the least, but it does.
“How did she get your number?” I question as I move to stand.
I stumble briefly but find my balance immediately when I grab hold of the corner of my desk.
Sean doesn’t waste any time. He’s beside me before I’m standing upright again. His arm circles my waist.
“Are you all right?” Concern laces his tone. “Sit your ass back down.”
“I’m fine,” I reassure him. “I haven’t eaten yet today. I’m a little light-headed. That’s all.”
Skepticism is all over his expression. He’s not buying what I’m trying to sell him.
I don’t give him a chance to press me more. I step away from him and tug on the lapels of my jacket. “Have you had lunch yet?”
“No. I’m taking you to lunch now, but you’re paying.”
I chuckle. “You’re worth almost as much as me now. I read the projections for Wells in the latest issue of New York Viewpoint. You’re killing it.”
“You’re still fourteen times richer than Decky and me,” he points out. “I told Ava I’d meet her at Nova for lunch, but she’ll understand if I cancel to take you for sushi.”
“Nova’s pretty high-end for a Thursday afternoon lunch, Sean.”
It’s also impossible to get a table there without a connection or a two month wait.
“It’s a belated birthday thing,” he tells me. “But Ava is easygoing. If I tell her my best friend needs nourishment, she’ll be happy to meet up with me another day.”