“Remember,” I say as Roman and I walk into the bar. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“Kiernan is the only person I would tell, and he already knows. You’ll probably need to tell him to keep his mouth shut. He’s not exactly low key.”

I groan. “He better keep his mouth shut.”

“Why don’t you want to tell anyone?”

“It’s too soon. It’s so early. General rule of thumb says twelve weeks.”

“Kiernan knows, Savannah knows, and James knows. James probably won’t tell anyone because he barely speaks, but won’t Savannah tell Valerie?”

“No, she wouldn’t. She’d leave this up to me. She will tell Liam, though, but she’ll tell him not to tell Hudson.”

“I think Valerie will know with one look at you. She’s kind of crazy that way,” Roman says, laughing.

“I know, right?”

“How are you going to explain not drinking?”

“I have the perfect plan. I saw this on a TV show—you bribe the bartender to keep bringing you club soda in a cocktail glass. It looks like a vodka soda.”

“You don’t drink vodka soda, you drink wine. So, what? You’re going to use grape juice?”

“Think that will work?” I ask, wondering if a bar carries grape juice.

“No, I think you should just tell everyone. I know I want to shout from the bar top and buy the whole damn place a round to celebrate.”

I laugh, picturing him jumping on the bar announcing our baby. “The vodka soda thing will work, you’ll see.”

I march straight up to the bar, calling over Owen, our usual waiter, and telling him my plan. “Congrats, Harper. He’s a lucky man.”

“And, he knows it,” Roman says from behind me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

Owen walks away to make my fake vodka soda and I look at Roman over my shoulder. “Really?”

“He was staring at your tits. I didn’t like it. Come on, he’ll bring it to the table.”

Roman leads us to our group of friends, pulling me down in his lap, even though there’s an empty seat for me. I don’t move, though, because I love the feel of his hard body against my back and his arms wrapped around me. “I already told Kiernan to keep it quiet,” he whispers in my ear.

Savannah and Liam are grinning at me; it’s obvious Savannah told Liam, and they’re not playing cool. James is cool as a cucumber, though, sitting at the head of table, silent and observant as ever. Owen comes over to the table, setting down drinks in front of everyone, and Valerie scrunches her eyebrows while looking at my drink. “What’s that?”

“Vodka soda. Thought I’d change it up tonight,” I say, taking a sip and glancing away from her.

“You’re pregnant!”

Kiernan bursts out laughing. “That didn’t take long.”

“Wait, you knew?” Valerie asks him.

“Yeah, I was there when she told him.”

“Not fair!” Valerie whines. “You know I like to be the first to know things.” She looks around the table at the smiling faces, the only ones who looks surprised are Hudson and Gabe. “You all knew?” Valerie gasps, looking at me. “And you weren’t going to tell me?”

“It’s so early, Val. I couldn’t hold it in and just blurted it out the second I saw Roman after I found out. James and Kiernan just happened to be there.”

“And, Savannah?”

“She was there, too,” I say slowly.

“You should have called me.”

“Damn,” Hudson says. “I can’t believe you knocked up my girlfriend.”

Roman laughs. “I never believed for a second that she was yours.”

“I thought we were pretty convincing,” I say.

“That’s because no one knows you like I do,” Roman says in my ear, nipping at the lobe and causing a shiver to race up my spine.

“That’s not the only thing, Val,” I say, blinking back the tears that spring in my eyes.

“What is it?” She’s avoiding my eye contact, and her arms are crossed over her chest as she pouts.

“It’s been a really crazy day. First, I lost my store, then I learned some things about my dad that changes how I feel about my entire life. This morning I felt crushed under the weight of the day, and then I found out I’m pregnant.”

“What do you mean you lost your store?”

“Rafael served me with an eviction notice. I have three days to clear the premises, movers packed it all up today.”

“I’m setting her up with an online boutique, though,” Kiernan says, winking with a sympathetic smile.

“Harper,” Valerie breathes. “What the hell?”

“There’s a lot I can’t say yet, but I swear to you, both of you,” I say, grabbing Savannah’s and Valerie’s hands. “I’ll tell y’all everything when I can.”

“Are you okay?” Valerie asks, her full lips turned down in a frown.

“Yes and no,” I answer honestly. Roman rubs circles on my back, kissing my shoulder, reminding me he’ll be here through it all. That little piece of knowledge gives me strength to keep moving forward. His hand anchoring me and comforting me earlier was the only reason I made it through the phone calls with my employees. I haven’t begun to think about my dad and what that means yet. That’s going to be a huge mountain to climb and something I may never get over. My happiness about the baby takes precedence at the moment.

“Fine,” Valerie says, throwing her hands in the air. “I’m happy for you about the baby. Next big news, though, I get to be the first to know!”

“Deal,” I say to Val, smiling from ear to ear.

“Roman,” Valerie says, looking intently at him.

“Oh, Christ,” Gabe mutters.

“When are you going to make an honest woman out of our girl instead of getting the milk for free?”

The entire table explodes in laughter, even James has the barest hint of a smile, and I swear I see his shoulders shake.

“She’ll have my last name by the time this baby comes,” Roman declares confidently, squeezing my hip. I turn my head to stare at him, raising an eyebrow in a challenge. His answering wink tells me this is something he will make happen. His dick hardens beneath my ass as we stare at each other, smiling.

* * *

As soon as we’re inside the house, Roman pushes me against the front the door, kissing up my neck and grinding his hips against mine. “Pretty confident I’ll take your last name.” My voice is hoarse and breathless as I arch my back, forcing him to kiss further down my chest.

Roman bites my nipple through my dress. “You will. Soon.”

I shiver as his hand slides up my inner thigh. “I hope this isn’t your proposal. It needs some work.”

“You’ll know when I’m proposing, Sugar.” He groans into my neck when one of his long fingers pushes my panties aside and slides into me. I wrap my leg around his hip, thrusting to meet the heel of his palm on my clit. Roman uses his other hand to lift my other leg wrapping around his hips, so he can walk us toward the couch where he drops me on my feet.

“Bend over.”

Turning around and bending over the couch, I stick my ass in the air, ready for him. Roman’s hands skim up my thighs, grabbing my thong to pull down my legs and shoving my dress up, exposing me. He groans as he pulls down the zipper of his pants, freeing himself. My back arches toward him when the head of his cock slides up and down, teasing my entrance.

“Are you going to say yes when I ask?” he growls in my ear, making me whimper for him. I’m almost begging him to fuck me.

When he enters me, he hears my answer. “Yes.”