Page 136 of Red King
Guards immediately flank him; they’re also in suits, looking slick. The chatter gets louder. People are pointing.
What is he doing here?
How did he find me?
What the hell?
Arctic scans the crowd, his eyes finding mine. He holds my gaze for what feels like a long time and then throws me a half-smile.
Heat pools in my belly. My nipples go tight.
My body needs to stop its shit!
There must be a reasonable explanation. Maybe he knows about the baby. Maybe he found out. How?
No!
“I think I just ovulated,” Becs whispers. “Did he just smile at me? I think he smiled at me.”
I have to bite back a laugh, even though my stomach knots up. I instantly feel queasy. I don’t think it’s the pregnancy this time.
“You didn’t just ovulate; it’s impossible,” I whisper back. “You’re pregnant, remember?”
“And yet it happened, anyway.”
Dave gives us a quizzical look. By now, everyone in the whole church is talking and staring, Jim and Lexi included. The minister looks flustered.
Arctic and his entourage walk in and take up the whole last row, and I can’t breathe. I can’t do anything.
Oh. My. God.
He’s here.
“If everyone can settle down,” the minister says, waving his arms. “We were about to christen little Solomon.”
“That’s him,” I whisper ever so softly into Bec’s ear.
“Him who? You recognize him, don’t you? He must be a celeb,” she whispers back, almost under her breath.
“Please, everyone…please…” the minister tries again. “If I could have your attention.”
“It’s Arctic,” I tell her.
Bec’s mouth falls open. “That’s your CEO?”
I nod.
“You slept withhim?” she mouths.
I give her a look. “Hello! I’m a catch.”
She giggles silently. “I’ve been telling you that for years.”
Silence finally descends, and the minister continues.
“He’s your baby daddy?” she mouths. It’s something we used to do in school when the teacher had their back turned. We’re excellent at reading lips.
“Yes.”
