Page 120 of Hired Husband

“Well, as annoying as it is that even his spreadsheets have spreadsheets, I can’t say I blame him. I’m starting to accept that I’m going to be crazy protective over Jasmine too.”

“You already are.”

“That’s my point,” I said. “Can you imagine how much worse it’s going to get once she’s pregnant? And it’s completely out of my control. I can’t help it.”

Ryan started backing down the street, barely restrained laughter in his eyes as he shook his head. “See? That’s another reason I’m staying single. I don’t have that problem.”

With that, he spun around and hurried along the snowy sidewalk, hailing the first cab he could find and disappearing into it. I chuckled and kept walking, still smiling by the time I let myself into my brother’s house.

“Jasmine?” I called as I shut the door behind me, surprised by how quiet it was in here. I’d expected the girls to be cooing over their purchases while Colin barked instructions into a phone, but instead, there wasn’t a sound coming from anywhere. “Are you back yet?”

“I’m in here,” she called from the living room.

I followed the sound of her voice, finding her curled up on the couch and staring at the Christmas tree. She’d changed into comfortable sweats and a hoodie, her hair thrown up into a messy bun on top of her head and fuzzy slippers on her feet.

“God, you look hot like that,” I said before I could stop the words from coming out. “Where are they? Do we have some tim⁠—”

“They’re at a doctor’s appointment,” she replied, slowly lifting her head and sitting up, but she didn’t flash me one of her mischievous grins or run over.

Odd.

I frowned. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just a checkup. The baby could arrive any day now. Even today.”

Lowering myself down on the couch with her, I snaked my arms around her waist and lifted her into my lap. “Shit, can you imagine how relieved Colin will be when she finally arrives?”

She chuckled, cuddling into me but definitely seeming off. “Yeah, but I think Deja will be even more relieved. He’s been a terror.”

“Hey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“She says in her lying voice.”

Her lips pursed. “I do not have a lying voice.”

“Yes, you do, and that was it.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the little box, presenting it to her on my palm. “I got you something. Maybe this will help you remember what you’re lying about.”

She rolled her eyes but took the box and opened it. Her jaw dropped as she stared at the gold bracelet inside. “How did you know?”

“About your hoarding tendencies or the drawer full of charms in our bedroom?”

“Both.”

I smiled and lowered my forehead to hers. “I pay attention, baby. Especially to you. I just thought that maybe you’d like to start wearing your mementos.”

She sucked in a breath that sounded strangely like the beginning of a sob, cradling the box to her chest. She slid her free arm around my neck. “I love you. I love you so much. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” I pressed a kiss to her hair. “I love you too, baby.”

For a second, we just sat there like that, with her cuddled up on my lap and definitely emotional about something, but I didn’t push her more than I already had. When she finally looked up again, however, I wondered if maybe I should’ve pushed her after all.

Her eyes were filled with tears, her voice thick and cracking when she spoke again. “Isaac, I’m pregnant.”

I stared at her, just blinking and completely forgetting how the rest of my body worked. She gave me a few seconds, then smiled nervously. “Say something.”

“I—” I tried, but I couldn’t get out any more than that because every one of my systems, including my brain, seemed to have shut down. “What?”