Page 58 of Perfect Fling
Grateful for the subject change because it meant he could ignore the knot that felt like a ball stuck in his chest, Cole shook his head. “I’m waiting for housing sales to pick up a little before I list it.”
“That’s great.”
“Want to take a quick look? I’ve got some time before I have to start grilling burgers.”
“Sure thing.” Nick was always proud of his finished projects, and Cole enjoyed looking at his cousin’s talent.
He stood and, along with Nick, walked to the water to tell Kate and Erin where they were going.
Erin met his gaze and lifted a hand to her ear in question.
He grinned, knowing she was asking if he was feeling closed in and ready to go home. Worrying about him and looking out for him.
Cole pushed those thoughts away and shook his head. “Nick is going to drive me around the lake and show me the house he built and is ready to put on the market.”
Her eyes lit up. “Ooh, another Nick Mancini masterpiece? Can I come?”
“Sure thing,” Nick said, pride in his voice.
Faith took her wriggling daughter from Erin’s arms. “I told you that’s the good thing about being a friend or relative. You can enjoy the baby and give them back!”
Erin laughed. “Soon enough, I’ll be looking for people to relieve me,” she said, and everyone around them slid into stunned silence.
“What?!” Kate asked, her voice rising in pitch.
Cole froze.
Erin’s eyes opened wide, and her cheeks turned bright red as she realized her slip of the tongue. “Umm... I—”
Cole met her gaze and gave her permission with a slight tip of his head. It was her call if she wanted to cover or reveal. But he couldn’t deny his stomach was in knots as she pondered her decision.
“Erin?” Faith asked softly.
Meeting Cole’s gaze, Erin gave him a tiny nod back.
But he saw how awkward things had become and didn’t want her to think he was dumping it all on her. “Erin’s pregnant. You all would’ve figured it out soon enough,” Cole said, reaching out a hand toward the water.
The tightness in her face gave way to relief. She clasped his hand and climbed out to stand next to him. “We’re having a baby,” she told them.
There. It was out, Cole thought. Dizziness that had nothing to do with the heat assaulted him as the women around them shrieked. The other guys came running to see what the commotion was all about. As they found themselves the center of attention, they were separated by the surprised well-wishers patting Cole on the back and kissing Erin’s cheeks.
He accepted the congratulations, ducked most of the questions, and finally managed to catch Erin’s gaze. She appeared flustered and overwhelmed by the attention and when she lifted a hand and tugged on her ear, he knew he’d read her correctly.
“Hey, Nick, you going to show Erin and me that house sometime this century?” Cole called out to his cousin.
Nick caught on quick. “Yeah. Let’s go through the house so I can grab my keys. Everyone go back to your regularly scheduled programming,” Nick ordered.
Cole grabbed Erin’s hand and pulled her away from her well-meaning, question-hungry friends.
“Hurry back,” Kate called to their retreating backs. “The natives will be getting hungry soon.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Nick grumbled, but even Cole could hear the good-natured chuckle behind the words.
With Cole’s hand on Erin’s back, they followed Nick to the house.
Erin didn’t say a word, but Cole sensed her need for peace, quiet, and space. If she didn’t get better after the house tour, he’d make their excuses and get her home. Ironic she was the one who’d needed to get away from the crush of people, not him.
Surprisingly, even between Nick’s pushing Cole on personal issues and the public reveal of Erin’s pregnancy, Cole didn’t feel a hint of the anxiety he’d anticipated. They drove to his cousin’s place and walked around the massive house, which Erin loved, and the tour seemed to draw her out of her shock. Nick had even had a decorator come in and furnish it, so selling the house really would be like selling a model home.