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Liam smiles, bringing my hand to his lips for a kiss. I love that gesture. I get goosebumps every time.
“What’s pretty?” Lucy joins us with a tray of drinks. I take the water, while Liam takes a beer and Elena the juice.
Aria grabs a glass of champagne from a tray Niko has. “What would you do if I threw this in your face?”
“Try it and find out.” He grits his teeth at her disrespect. Her behavior is a bit juvenile, but I imagine it’s her only outlet. She has so little freedom in her life.
“The baby’s name,” Elena answers Lucy’s question. “Sophie Eva. It’s their mothers’ names combined.”
“It is lovely.” Lucy takes another flute. It’s golden like champagne, but not quite. It looks more like cider to me.
I study her more. She arches a brow at me. I arch one back. She smiles and brings her finger to her lips to keep me quiet. I wonder what she’s waiting for. Now is the perfect time to announce a pregnancy. Maybe she hasn’t told Donovan yet.
I give her a thumbs-up.
“What if it’s a boy?” Aria asks.
“This little one is a girl, but if we have a boy, it will be Max.”
“Your father,” Niko says. He raises his glass to Liam. “Great man.”
I look at Liam, wishing I could have known his parents, two people who made such an impression on him and Niko.
“I’ll be lucky if I’m half the man he was.” Liam’s expression is wistful, even hopeful.
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” Niko states matter-of-factly. “You’re just as good.”
“I agree,” I say. This time, I kiss his hand.
“All that lovey-dovey is what got you this way,” Donovan jokes.
“I don’t see your wife knocked up. Not enough lovey-dovey?” Niko jibes at him.
“I’m perfectly fine at the lovey-dovey, aren’t I, Lucy?” Donovan grumbles.
“You’re very fine.” She waggles her brows.
“Oh, God, you all are disgusting.” Aria jumps up from her chair and storms into the house.
“Poor thing,” I say.
“She’ll be fine.” Niko seems sure of that, but I wonder if he really understands the workings of a woman’s heart when she’s in love.
The party is lovely and the gifts are perfect. I can’t wait to put the clothes in little Sophia’s dresser and the toys in her hutch. But mostly, I’m glad that Liam and I are on our way home.
I’ve adjusted to living in his expensive apartment. It has wonderful views of the river and isn’t far from Central Park. I imagine taking Sophia there to play, although it will be interesting to do so with the army of guards I have every time I go somewhere.
“Are you tired?” Liam asks as he tosses his keys on the table near the door.
“I suppose a little. I think I’d like some tea.”
“Anya?” He calls the housekeeper he’s hired. He said it was to take care of the apartment, but I think she’s also supposed to take care of me. “Can you make us some tea?”
“Of course. I have some cookies too.”
“Perfect.”
I sit on the couch, and because it’s getting hard to deal with my shoes, Liam takes them off for me. When he sits, he pulls my legs over his thighs and massages my feet.
