A suspicious look swam into his eyes. “Nice try.” He tweaked my nose. “Ye are still not getting a look at me shamrock, if that’s what yer after.”
“What if I promise not to look?” I bit my bottom lip, growing desperate.
He narrowed his eyes curiously. “Does this have to do with Chapter Five?”
I blinked. “Come again?”
He nodded. “Exactly.”
My jaw unhinged, and I raised an eyebrow at him. “Okay, what are we talking about?”
He laughed. “The horny phase that was in that book Zoe gave ye?”
I gaped at him. “You read my book?”
“Ye are not the only one who wants to know what to expect during these nine months.” He rubbed his hands together. “Besides, I told ye I wanted to be involved in all parts of this pregnancy.”
“So, you’re willing to solve my little problem then?” I fluttered my eyelashes up at him with a hopeful expression.
He laughed softly. “As much as I would love to help ye, I don’t think being friends with benefits is a good idea, lass.”
“Fine, then you’d better take the furthest bedroom down the other hallway, for both our sakes.” I inhaled a long slow deep breath and held it before releasing it, as I willed myself to think of anything other than how hot he was.
The struggle was real.
He studied my flushed face. “That’s probably a smart idea. And we can set up two nurseries, one down each hallway. That way if one baby is fussy, the other won’t be disturbed. And we’ll take turns over who’s getting up in the middle of the night.” He rubbed his jaw. “Unless ye plan to breastfeed.”
I was already shaking my head. “I know there is a school of thought that breast is best, and that’s great for those women who choose to do so. I also know other women who physically are unable to nurse their babies, and that’s okay, too. In my case, I simply don’t want to, especially not two babies at the same time at my age. I think it’s a personal decision that each new mother must make on her own.”
“I agree, and I won’t complain about getting to bottle feed me bairns.” Matt nodded. “I give women so much credit. Carrying a child takes almost a year of yer life, and the changes yer body goes through are a true miracle. To nourish and develop an actual human being is remarkable. And here ye are, creating two. Ye are truly incredible, lass. I just wish I could feel the wee babes move.”
“You and me both. I feel guilty because you can’t, but Dr. Joy said you should be able to soon.”
“Ah, Chapter Six.” He chuckled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“And I’m looking forward to lunch.” I headed to the kitchen. “What do you say we take a break and eat?”
“You got it. Grab yer coat, and I’ll get my keys.”
I stopped walking. “I have a better idea.”
He glanced at me. “What’s that?”
“I’ll cook.”
He halted in his tracks. “Ye cook?”
“I try,” I admitted. “Zoe’s been giving me lessons.”
“Well, look at ye getting all domesticated.”
“You can’t be the only one feeding our babies.” I frowned.
There was that word our again.
If I wasn’t careful, I was going to get my heart broken without even trying.
“I’ll call me mammy and get some of her recipes.” Matt smiled wide. “She’s an amazing cook.”
“Let’s not get carried away, now.” I laughed. “Let’s start with lunch and go from there. Deal?”
“Deal.”
I wiped my mouth with a napkin after devouring an egg salad sandwich that afternoon from the grocery store deli on my way to the mayor’s office in the town hall. Let’s just say the chicken salad I’d made earlier had left a bad taste in my mouth, literally. The chicken itself was overcooked and dry, and then I’d put so much mayonnaise in it, that it was more like creamy chicken soup which made the bread soggy.
I had taken one bite and then burst into tears.
Matt finished every last bite of his, but I could see the struggle on his face. Shortly after, he headed into work at the pub, probably to do the same thing I was…get some lunch that was actually edible.
I helped him clean up my failure before he headed to work and I headed to my meeting with the mayor. Walking into the town hall, I stopped short. There was Bitsy Beaumont…or Brimstone, rather.
What on earth was she doing here?
“Hi, Bitsy. Are you getting back into the party-planning business?” I took a seat in the waiting room.
“Oh, heavens no.” She placed her hands on her growing belly. “Roger doesn’t want me doing anything that might be taxing. He’s so protective. He’s going to be a wonderful father. I can just tell.”
