Page 225 of Allegiance

BED.

“No, Dakota, you’re fine. I was just checking on Violet. Are you okay?” she asked.

He paused.

“No. I’m not.”

She lifted a brow.

“What’s wrong?”

He was honest.

“I’m hungry,” he said, lifting the bottle of sparkling apple juice, and the picnic basket that was in his other hand. “I figured if I was hungry, someone growing a child might be too. Interested in a later-at-night picnic?”

Oh, she had it bad.

Eve was screwed.

“I think that would be really nice. Care to have it in the living room? Violet is in bed.”

Well, then, he was more than happy to have it in her living room. His plan was to escort the ladies across the street to the park, but inside was safer.

“I hope I’m not interrupting you,” he said.

“Not at all. I was a little surprised when you didn’t ask to come back with me before.”

His heart skipped.

“Would you have said yes?”

She laughed.

“Dakota, our child gets you an invite whenever you want. We made a baby. My house versus your house is pretty moot at this point.”

Well, that made him happy.

She was defining the parameters, and he was being given an invite.

That meant his friends were right.

There was no doubt in his mind that they were going to gloat later. Honestly, he wouldn’t be shocked if they were taking bets.

They were assholes.

“It took me longer because I had to shower and Google foods that a pregnant woman can’t eat. I’ll learn fast.”

She laughed and locked the door behind him.

“Well, I can say that the baby and I appreciate that.”

His eyes went to her midsection, and still, he couldn’t believe that his child was in her, growing.

He covered.

“I thought we could spend some time talking and finding our footing. I want this transition to be comfortable for both of us.”

She paused.