The Right Kind of Love(87)

I walked back into the family room. She was sitting up ramrod straight. I could tell she was on the defensive. “Yes, I happen to like him a lot.”

“I’m gonna level with you here, Bee. There is something about that guy that I don’t like. He just doesn’t seem like he’s a good match for you and he’s rather shady. When he looks at me, my body breaks out into goose bumps and it isn’t the good kind. They are the type that makes my hair stand on end.”

“Oh, really? You’re going to talk to me about guys?” She folded her arms across her chest. The bee was a buzzing and ready to strike.

“Yep. I think of you as another sister, and I’m just looking out for you. I don’t want you to get hurt.” I tried for nice and concerned, and put it back on her.

“While I appreciate your concern, Damien,” she said sarcastically, “who I date or have in my life is none of your fucking business. Besides, you have no room to talk.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I’ve always been good to Sydney.” Oh, now she had poked this bear. My cackles rose.

“I know how you were when Sydney first moved in here. Don’t think that she didn’t tell me all about you. So you,” she pointed to me, “don’t have any business talking to me about Jensen.”

“Fine, suit yourself. I’m just concerned. If he fucking hurts you, I will lay him into the ground.” And I was serious.

Very fucking serious.

“While I appreciate it, it won’t be necessary. He treats me with respect.” She looked away from me, and I could tell this conversation was done.

“All right, I’ll say no more. Just remember, I’m looking out for you.” The dogs started barking so I knew it was my cue to go let them in and get on with my night.

After my heated conversation and letting the dogs in, I headed upstairs to see my girl. I walked into the bedroom to find her sitting on the bed holding her belly with a concentrated look on her face. I instantly rushed to her side. “What’s wrong, sweets? Is there something wrong with the baby?”

She looked up at me, and then gave me a gleaming smile. Fuck, she scared me half to death. She took my hand and placed it over her belly, and what I felt put the same smile on my face.

“Was that our baby kicking?” And I felt it again.

She giggled. “Yes, isn’t it amazing?”

“It’s fucking beautiful.” I got on my knees in front of her and kissed her belly. “I love you so much, baby girl. One day, you will have a name for us to call you by.”

“I know we need to start looking at names for her.” I got up off my knees and sat next to her.

“Have you even looked at the book?” I had, but I wasn’t quite sure if she had. There were a few names I really liked.

“Yes, I’ve been looking a lot, but I feel like we can’t give her a name until we see her. I do know that I want her middle name to be Suzanne after my mom.” She looked at me with hopeful eyes.

“Sure, I’m down with that. I wish I could’ve met your mom. You don’t talk about her much.” I raised an eyebrow. She gave me a pained look. I knew that her mother’s death was still fresh for her. She had told me they were close. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose my mother or even my father, for that matter. It would have to be fucking hard.

“It’s just so hard to talk about her. I miss her more than you know. She would’ve been thrilled to be a grandma.” A tear leaked from her eye, and I pulled her in for a hug and kissed her on her forehead.

“It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about her. But if you do ever want to, I would love to listen.” And I would. I wanted to know as much about the woman I loved so much as I possibly could.

“Thank you.”

Okay, time for a subject change. Tonight was about good times, not sad times.

“So are you ready for some steak? I’m so hungry I could eat a dirty shoe.” My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.

“I’m famished.”

“Okay, well, I’m going to head to my room and get ready. Make sure you pack an overnight back.” I hoped like hell she liked this surprise.

“Why do I need an overnight bag?”

“It’s a surprise, but I’m sure it won’t be hard to figure out.”

“Oh, okay.” Her eyes lit up.

When I got to my room, I changed my clothes. I put on a pair of black slacks with an untucked steel gray collared shirt, and I had my sleeves rolled up to my elbows. I went for a bit nicer since we were going for a fancy dinner. I hoped like hell that Sydney appreciated my clothing choice.