“With a rock like that, you can be my fiancé too.” Robin grinned and winked. “Don’t Hulk out, dude. I’d more hit on you than her.”
“So you’re gay?” Ethan asked.
“As a rainbow-colored feather duster.” Robin stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you, and you didn’t think you’d propose to Mya and I don’t know?”
“I’ve heard her speak to you on the phone or talk about you but just assumed you were a girl the way the conversations went,” Ethan said.
“Well then, buddy, ask a question next time.” Robin waved his hand airily as he passed by and sat on the couch. “Just because I like boy bands and various activities I cannot speak of doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass if she gets hurt. This little deal seems too good to be true, and you know what they say about that.”
Ethan bristled in anger, and it showed on his face. She knew the look. “I don’t plan on any of us being hurt, including the baby.”
Robin raised an eyebrow. “Money does strange things to people.”
“I’ve had it all my life, and it hasn’t done shit to me,” Ethan retorted.
“Uh-huh.” Robin covered his mouth with his hand and gave a fake cough while muttering, “Playboy.”
Ethan let loose. “You don’t know anything about me except what was printed in the tabloids. So how could you think I’d hurt Mya? I don’t care if you’re her best friend or not. You don’t get to judge me. You can take your assumptions and shove them up your—”
Mya intervened and pointed at Robin. “You, stop instigating and trying to pick at a sore spot. Ethan is a great guy and has been since I met him.”
Ethan gave Robin a smug look, but lost it when Mya turned on him.
“You need to get a thicker skin if we’re going to do this because we’re going to get a lot of attention, and you can’t punch or fight everyone who will come at us wrong,” she snapped. “And Robin has been my best friend since we’ve been fourteen and we were cheerleaders together. He is going to be in my life, and the baby will call him Uncle. That’s not up for negotiation, it’s a fact, so get used to him now.”
“You tell him, Mya.” Robin gloated.
“Do you want to go home?” She had her hands on her hips.
“No, my parents are in town. I need to hide here,” Robin answered. A sulky pout formed on his face.
“They know my address, Robin,” Mya said gently. “Tell them to butt out of your life and let you be you.”
“Yeah, that worked the million times I did it before. They’re here for six long weeks while Dad does his Bible ministry thing.” Robin sulked. “Go eat dinner and stop starving my niece or nephew.”
Ethan spoke up. “I know how it is to be expected to conform to a role that isn’t the one you want. Hey, when Mya moves into the Monolith, you can come with her. Call it my version of witness protection, with tall gates, indoor heated pool, and sauna.”
“On the real?” Robin gasped and clasped his hands.
“What?” Ethan said in confusion.
Mya sighed. “It’s slang for ‘do you really mean it,’ and you don’t have to impulsively offer him a visit to the mansion. I told him he could stay here.”
“Stop trying to talk him out of it.” Robin gave her a withering look. “So you’re not kidding, right?”
Ethan nodded. “Oh, okay, yes. I don’t say things I don’t mean. We have to discuss when you’ll be moving in so we know when he’s more than welcome to come.”
“I’d kiss you if Mya wouldn’t deck me,” Robin said. He stood, put his hands on their shoulders, and practically pushed them out the door. “Go! Plan and discuss the future! I’ll be here with my feet in the foot spa and watching Dancing with the Stars.”
He closed the door before either of them could answer, and Ethan stared at the barrier for a moment.
“Do people actually watch that?” he asked curiously. “I’ve been bored as hell and surfed the channels. There’s never been an inclination to watch retired athletes and movie stars dance around.”
“Well, for one, I don’t think there’s a straight guy who doesn’t think the same thing. Apparently there’s a following, or so Robin says.” Mya put her hand through her coat, and Ethan helped her get it on and buttoned. “I did his taxes, and there was a marathon of it on—well, he’d DVRed it. I almost went insane.”
Ethan laughed as he took her hand to help her as they walked down the steps. He stopped and pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it. He took the ring from the velvet cushion it sat in and took her hand to place it on her finger.