Ever since Kylie came out of the bathroom, she’s been acting weird as fuck. She was quiet the entire car ride into town and even now at the restaurant. I feel the distance with her silence. She’s definitely nervous about something, but I don’t want to call her out on it and make the situation awkward when we’re surrounded by other people. But on the heels of that rationalization, I’m starting to get concerned maybe I did something to make her act this way.

The waiter comes over, and I ask for a bottle of her favorite wine then we both give him our dinner order. After he leaves we sit quietly as she avoids eye contact, her discomfort evident—tangible even.

She shifts in her chair, and I lift a brow, wondering if I should just question her. It’s clear she has something on her mind, but she’s either too afraid or embarrassed to tell me. And I hate that she may feel that way.

For long moments we sit there, the noise from the restaurant filtering around us. Finally, I can’t take the tension between us any longer and break the silence.

“You want to tell me what’s going on?” I ask and lean forward, bracing my forearms on the table and clasp my fingers together. I stare at her but notice she won’t look at me, and instead stares down at her lap. “Kylie, baby. Talk to me.” I’m pleading now because I have a bad feeling about this.

After a moment she looks up at me, her throat working as she swallows.

Worry starts to settle inside of me, and all I can think of are all the bad things that she might have to say. Maybe this isn’t working for her anymore? Maybe she’s nervous because she wants to break it off? That very thought has me tightening my hands into fists and placing them on my lap, so she doesn’t see how tense I am. My entire body is ramrod straight, my muscles contracting at the very thought of her not in my life.

I try to push those negative thoughts away because things are going well with us. I love Kylie more than I ever thought imaginable, and her leaving isn’t an option. If that’s what she has to say, then I’ll fight to the ends of the earth for her. There isn’t anyone else in the world that I want to share my life with.

“Princess, you’re starting to freak me the fuck out.” I probably say that a little too loudly as I get a few looks from the couple beside us, but I don’t give a shit. My only focus is Kylie. It always has been and always will be.

“I’m sorry,” she says and offers me a smile, but it seems forced. “I don’t mean to make you worry, and I can see that you are by the way you’re gripping onto the edge of the table.” She glances down at where my hands are. I hadn’t even realized I brought them up. “I’m fine.”

“If everything’s okay then why are you acting like you’re about to dart the hell out of here?”

She exhales slowly and leans back in the chair. She opens her mouth, about to say something. My body tenses, getting ready for whatever it is when the waiter comes back with the wine and two glasses.

He pours the wine into my glass and allows me to sample it. Once I nod in approval, he continues to fill my glass and precedes to do the same for Kylie. She’s looking at the now filled glass with a weird expression.

He leaves us alone, and the silence ensures. She’s still looking at the glass, her fingertips on the bottom of it as she skims along the flattened edge. She pushes it away and sighs.

“You don’t like it?” My brows knit in confusion. “It’s your favorite.”

She swallows again, the pulse beneath her ear jumping. She’s scared as hell, and every protective part of me rises up. Was someone hurting her? Whose ass did I need to kick?

“Kylie,” I growl out her name and hold her gaze with mine. “What the fuck is going on?” I don’t want her to think I’m angry with her, but she’s worrying the hell out of me. “You know you can talk to me about anything.” My heart pounds rapidly. “Is this about us?”

She licks her lips and nods.

Fuck.

I lean back in the chair, close my eyes and tell myself to stay calm. “Kylie, baby. Can we just cut through the shit and tell me what’s going on?” I look at her and see her eyes are wide as she stares at me.

“Luke, I’m pregnant.”

Everything in me stills at her words. I blink a few times, not moving, not even breathing. “Pregnant?” I say that one word, repeating it over and over in my head. “Like a baby?” I’m drawing a blank right now as I stare at her.

She looks at me like I’ve grown another head, or maybe that I’m repeating obvious shit. “Yes, Luke. Like a baby inside of me. Your baby.”

I run a hand over my mouth, not sure what to say, or how to feel. “Damn, I thought you were breaking it off with me,” I finally say with a sigh of relief. “A baby I can deal with.” Grinning, I stand and walk over to her, helping her out of her seat and pulling her into an embrace. Now it makes sense why she didn’t want the wine.

“Wait,” she says and pulls back, confusion on her face. “You’re not upset?”

I shake my head and cup her check. I’m sure we’re making a scene, but I don’t give a fuck. In fact, I want everyone to see this. I want them to see my commitment to Kylie.

“How are you not even acting shocked?” she asks.

I shake my head. “Baby, as long as you’re by my side I can handle anything, even this little surprise.” I place my hand on her belly. “My child is in here,” I say to myself. The fact I’ll be a father a little surprising, but then again not. “It’s not like we took precautions.” I grin when Kylie looks around, her cheeks turning red.

“Luke, keep your voice down,” she says in a hushed voice. “People are watching.”

When she looks at me, I don’t wait to slip my hand around the nape of her neck and pull her forward. I lean down and claim her mouth. She makes a sound in the back of her throat as if she wants me to stop, yet she grabs my shirt and pulls me in harder. I grin against her lips. “That’s my girl.” I give her one more kiss before pulling back. I look around and see a shitload of couples watching us, some smiling, others looking pissed that we disrupted their meal.

Fuck em’.

“You’re…happy about this? Cause I’ll be honest, Luke, I’m scared shitless.”

I cup her cheeks and lean in to kiss her on the lips softly. When I pull back, I smile.

“You know what?” I pause a moment, growing serious. “I am, Kylie. Hell, I don’t know what kind of dad I’ll be, but if I’m going to have a family, there’s no one else in this world I’d want to have that with.”