Gray glanced to his watch. “We’ve got another hour. Do you want to go upstairs? You look like you could fall over.”
And she did. She’d gone sans makeup, which wasn’t unusual, but he could see the dark circles under her eyes, and she was a bit paler than normal.
“You feeling all right?” he asked.
She attempted a smile, but it was lame and forced. “Fine. I think I will go upstairs if you don’t care. I can’t leave without talking to you alone.”
When she slid out of the booth, Gray came to his feet as well. She reached for the table with one hand and her head with the other as she teetered.
“Kate.” He grasped her arms, holding tight. “I didn’t make a drink for you. What have you had?”
She waved a hand away as she straightened. “I’m just tired and stood up too fast. I’ve only had water.”
“Do you need something to eat?”
Shaking her head, she tried for a smile once again. “Really, I’m okay. I’ll meet you upstairs when you’re done.”
He watched her head behind the bar and into the back hallway. Never in all his years as owner had he wanted to close up early and tell everyone to get the hell out.
Something was wrong with Kate. After all the running she’d done, something had pulled her back to him and he knew it wasn’t the fact he’d called a genealogy specialist.
The next hour seemed to drag as he busted his butt to get the place ready to shut down for the night. He could sweep the floors and do a thorough wipe down in the morning. Once all the alcohol was taken care of, the kitchen was shut down properly and the employees were gone, Gray locked up and headed upstairs.
When he opened the door and stepped into the living room, he froze. There on his sofa was Kate all curled up in one corner. She’d removed her shoes and her little bare feet were tucked at her side.
She didn’t look too comfortable at the angle her head had fallen against the back of the couch. Had she not been sleeping at home? Had she thought about his proposal and was here to...what? Take him up on it?
Gray turned the knob and slowly shut the door, careful not to click it into place. He crossed the room and took a seat directly in front of her on the old metal trunk he used as a coffee table. He watched her for a minute, torn between waking her and letting her get the sleep she seemed to desperately need.
After several minutes of feeling like a creeper, Gray reached out and tapped her leg. She didn’t move. He flattened his hand around her thigh and gave a gentle squeeze.
“Kate,” he said in a soft tone.
She started to stir. Her lids fluttered, then lifted. She blinked a few times as if focusing. Then she shot up on the sofa.
“Oh my gosh.” Her hands immediately went to her hair, pushing wayward strands back from her face. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
He held out his hands. “Relax. It’s no big deal.”
She swung her legs around and placed them on the area rug. The side of her knee brushed his as she propped her elbows on her thighs and rubbed her face.
“What’s wrong, Kate?” He couldn’t stand it any longer. “I gave you the space you asked for, but you show up here looking like a small gust of wind could blow you over. Are you sick? Don’t lie to me.”
Damn it, fear gripped him and he didn’t like this feeling. Not one bit.
“I’m not sick.” She dropped her hands in her lap and met his gaze dead-on. “I’m pregnant.”
Chapter Fifteen
Kate stared at him, worried when the silence stretched longer than was comfortable.
She hadn’t meant to just blurt that out, but honestly, was there a lead-in to such a bomb? Gray sat so close, their knees bumped. And for the second time in their years of friendship, she couldn’t make out the expression on his face.
His eyes never wavered from her, but he reached out and gripped her hands in his. “Pregnant? Are you sure?”
Before she could answer, he shook his head. “That was stupid. You wouldn’t tell me unless you were sure.”
“I’ve suspected for a few days, but just took the test today.”
Now his eyes did drop to her stomach. “I don’t even know what to say. Are you... I mean, you feel okay?”
“I’m nauseous, tired, look like hell. Other than that, I’m fine.”
Gray shifted his focus from her flat abdomen to her eyes. “You’ve never looked like hell in your life.”
“You didn’t see me hugging the commode this morning,” she muttered.
His thumb raked over the back of her hand. “Did you come here to tell me you’d marry me?”
She’d been so afraid he’d say that. That he would just assume a baby would be a reason to marry. If the marriage wasn’t going to be forever, how was joining lives the right thing to do?
“I’m not marrying you, Gray.”
His dark brows drew in as he continued to stare at her. “Why not? This is all the more reason to get married. We’re going to be parents. I can sell the bar, get the money, and we can go wherever you want. Hell, we’ll travel and then decide where to settle down. Name it.”
Kate shook her head and removed her hands from his. She leaned back on the couch and curled her feet back up beside her where they’d been.
“That’s not the answer,” she countered. “I don’t want to keep doing this with you. We have time to figure out what the best plan will be for our baby.”
“So if I sell the bar and leave, you’ll what? Stay here? I want to be part of our child’s life.”
She knew he would. She expected him to be. Gray would be a wonderful father. He’d be a fabulous husband, just not in the way he was proposing. Literally.
“I’d never keep you away from the baby,” she told him. “I’m hurt you would even suggest such a thing. If you leave, that’s on you. I’ll be right here in Stonerock.”
He stared at her another minute and then finally pushed to his feet. “Stay here tonight,” he said, looking down at her. “Just stay here so we can figure this out.”
Kate smiled, but shook her head. “Sex isn’t going to solve anything.”
“Maybe I just want you here,” he retorted. “Maybe I’ve missed you and now, knowing that you’re carrying my child, I want to take care of you.”
The tenderness in his voice warmed her. She knew he’d want to take over and make sure everything was perfect for her. He’d want to make her as comfortable as possible.
Unfortunately, through all of that, he just couldn’t love her the way she wanted to be loved. The way she loved him.
Tears pricked her eyes. She dropped her head and brought her hands up to shield her face. Damn hormones.
“Kate.” The cushion on the sofa sank next to her. One strong arm wrapped around her and she felt herself being pulled against his side. “Don’t cry. Please. I’ll figure something out.”
Couldn’t he see? This had nothing to do with the bar and if he kept it or sold it. If he loved her, truly loved her like a man loved a woman, she’d go anywhere with him. But she couldn’t just uproot her life for a man who was settling and only trying to do the right thing.
“Stay,” he whispered into her ear as he stroked her hair. “Sleeping. Nothing more.”
She tipped her head back to peer up at him.
“Please.”
She knew he only wanted to keep an eye on her, plus it was late and she was exhausted. Kate nodded. “I’ll stay.”
* * *
Gray left Kate sleeping and eased out of the bed. He glanced back down to where she lay wearing one of his shirts, her raven hair in a tangled mess around her, dark circles beneath her eyes. She’d been so exhausted when she’d come to the bar last night.
And she’d dropped the biggest bomb of his life.
A baby. He was having a baby with his best friend and
she refused to marry him.
Gray had to convince her to. Before she’d changed his entire life with one sentence, he’d nearly talked himself into selling Gallagher’s. Now that he knew he was going to be a father, well, he was sure he wanted to sell. He could use that money and make a nice life for his family...just as soon as he convinced Kate to marry him. Didn’t she see that this was the most logical step?
He hadn’t planned on getting married, but with his dad always hinting that he should, with the new chapter of selling the bar, and with Kate pregnant...hell, he had to move forward with his plan and make her see this was the best option for their future.
Quietly he eased the door shut and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. He had no clue what was on her agenda today, but hopefully after a good night’s sleep, they could talk and try to work things out. Well, he’d try to get her to see reason.
Gray checked his fridge and realized he hadn’t been to the store in... Honestly, he couldn’t remember the last time he went to the store.
He headed down to the bar and raided that kitchen, then ran back upstairs. Now he could actually start cooking something. Kate still slept, so he tried to be quiet. His apartment wasn’t that big, but it worked for him.
That is, this space had always worked until now. He couldn’t exactly expect Kate to raise a baby here. She valued family and the importance of home. Kate and the baby deserved a house with a yard, somewhere they could put a swing set. Something the total opposite of a bachelor pad above a bar.
Gray fried some potatoes he’d snagged from downstairs and pulled out the ham steaks from his freezer. Kate was more of a pancake girl, but she’d have to adapt today. He would see to it that she was cared for, whether she liked it or not.
He’d just dished up the plates when he heard running down the hall and then the bathroom door slamming shut.
Muttering a curse, he left the breakfast and went to the closed door. Yeah, she was definitely sick. He rubbed his hands down his face and stared up at the ceiling. How the hell could he make her feel better? He couldn’t exactly fix this or take it from her.
He stood on the other side of the door and waited until the toilet flushed. He heard water running and, moments later, she opened the door. Gray hated how pale she was, how her hand shook as she shoved her hair away from her face.
“Sorry about that,” she murmured, leaning against the door frame. “It hits quick.”
He reached out and framed her face in his hands. “Never apologize to me. I made breakfast, but I’m thinking maybe you’re not in the mood.”
Her eyes shut as she wrinkled her nose. “Do you just have some juice?”
“Downstairs I do. I’ll be right back.”
In record time he had the juice and was racing back upstairs. As soon as he stepped into the apartment, he heard Kate talking.
“No, Chris. This isn’t a good time.”
Gray set the bottle on the small dining table and headed down the hall toward her voice. Chris, the bastard ex.
“I never agreed to meet up with you, so if you thought I did, then you’re mistaken.”
When Gray hit the doorway of his bedroom, he saw Kate sitting on the edge of his bed, her back to him. She had her head down and was rubbing it.
Anger bubbled within him. Who the hell was this guy who suddenly came back into her life? Why did he think she would want anything at all to do with him after the way he’d treated her?
“I don’t care how long you’re in town,” she replied. “I’m busy.”
She tapped the screen and tossed her cell on the bed.
“Has he been bothering you?” Gray asked, stepping into the room.
Kate turned to glance over her shoulder. “Just a few calls and texts. He only showed up at my house the one time.”
If this jerk planned on staying in town, Gray intended to track him down. It was time for Chris to find out for good that he’d lost his chance at anything with Kate.
“I have your juice in the kitchen,” he told her. “How are you feeling?”
She let out a slight laugh. “Confused. Scared. Powerless.”
It probably wasn’t the best time to tell her he felt the same way. Kate needed him to be strong, needed him to be there like he always had been. Even more so now.
Gray crossed the room and came to stand in front of her. “Don’t answer me now, but think about marriage, Kate. There are so many reasons this is a good idea.”
She stood, easing around him. “Not now, Gray. Just...not now.”
“I’m just asking you to think about it.”
He followed her down the hall to the kitchen. Grabbing a glass from the cabinet, he set it on the counter and poured her juice.
“I’m not asking for an answer today,” he told her as she drank. “But you can’t dismiss the idea completely.”
She licked her lips and leveled her gaze. “Are you selling the bar?”
Gray swallowed, knowing he was going to have to say it out loud at some point. “Yes.”
Kate pulled in a slow breath and nodded. Then she finished the last of the juice and handed him back the glass.
“Then go do what you need to do,” she told him. “You wanted to figure out what your life was missing, and I sure as hell don’t want to be the reason you stay. I won’t be someone’s burden and I won’t let this baby feel that way, either.”
Gray slammed the glass on the counter and took her by her shoulders. “You’re not listening to me, damn it. You’re not a burden, Kate. This baby isn’t a burden. But selling the bar makes more sense now than ever. What? You want to live up here and raise a child?”
“We’re not getting married or living together, so it’s a moot point,” she threw back at him. “I don’t like this, Gray. We’re always arguing and I just want my friend back.”
Her voice cracked on that last word and he hauled her against his chest. He wanted his friend back, too, but they’d obliterated the friendship line and now they were adding a baby to the mix.
“We can’t go back,” he told her. “But I won’t let you go through this alone. I’m here.”
She eased back, piercing him with those blue eyes full of questions, but she asked only one.
“For how long?”
Chapter Sixteen
Well, there was no more dodging the inevitable.
Kate had asked the girls over since she knew Sam had Marley. This was definitely not a conversation for little ears.
She’d ordered pizza, made cookies, had wine and water on hand—everything was all set for the big reveal. Just then, her front door opened and Tara and Lucy came in, chattering.
Kate heard Lucy saying something about her stepdaughter, but couldn’t make out exactly what it was. When she’d married Noah, she’d gotten an instant family and was filling the role of mom beautifully. Tara excelled at motherhood, despite the roller coaster she’d had to endure these past several months with Sam and his addiction.
Looked like Kate couldn’t have asked for two better women to call on for support. She only hoped they weren’t too angry with her for keeping the situation with Gray a secret.
Kate stepped from the kitchen into the living room. “Hey, guys.”
“I smell pizza,” Tara stated. “Please, tell me you got extra bacon on at least part of it.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Have I ever let you down? I even bought your favorite wine, though wine and pizza always sounded like a bad combo to me.”
Lucy set her purse on the accent chair and dropped her keys inside. “Wine goes with everything and so does pizza, so it only makes sense to pair them together.”
Kate attempted a smile, but her nerves were spiraling out of control. She could do this. There was nothing to be afraid of and her friends would be there for her. Isn’t that what they did? They banded together during the best a
nd worst of times.
“Oh, no.” Tara took a slow step forward. “I thought we were just having a random girls’ night. What’s wrong, Kate?”
“You guys might want to sit down with a glass of wine first.”
Lucy crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. “Not until you tell us what’s wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong, exactly,” she replied. “Gray and I—”
“Finally.” Tara threw her hands in the air. “I knew something was going on with the two of you. What is it, though? You seem, I don’t know...nervous.”
“Are you and Gray together?” Lucy whispered as if this was some sacred secret.
“You could say that.”
Kate looked from one friend to the other. They’d barely made it inside the front door, and from the determined look on their faces, they weren’t moving any further until she confessed.
“I’m pregnant.”
Tara’s eyes widened. Lucy’s mouth dropped. Neither said a word, but their shock spoke volumes.
“We were just fooling around,” Kate went on. “I mean, there was the night of the rehearsal dinner, then camping—”
“I called this,” Tara repeated. “Well, not the baby. Damn, Kate. You’re having a baby?”
Kate couldn’t help the smile and shrug. “Of all people, the CEO of Savvy Scheduler did not plan this.”
Lucy stepped forward and extended her arms. Kate shook her head and held her hands out, silently telling her friend no.
“I can’t do comfort right now,” she explained. “I’m barely hanging on here and I just need to come to grips with this—”
Lucy wrapped her arms around Kate and that was all it took for Kate to finally crumble. Tears fell, fear took hold, and soon Tara’s arms were banding around them as well.
“It’s going to be okay,” Tara stated. “A baby is a wonderful blessing.”
“What did Gray say?” Lucy asked, easing back slightly.
Kate sniffed and attempted to gather herself together. “He proposed,” she whispered.
From Best Friend to Daddy Page 13