Chapter 9

WORK PROVED THE PERFECTrefuge from the crazy thoughts racing through my mind like sugar-crazed bees. It was Sunday night, so the steakhouse was at full capacity, and my staff was running around like their pants were on fire—just how I’d trained them. Fast and efficient without compromising on quality or service.

Tammy, my restaurant manager, popped her head into the kitchen and got my attention. “Chef, your brother’s here,” she called.

My heart pounded faster, my throat becoming tight in an instant. I nodded my head at Tammy before answering, buying a second to compose myself. “I reserved a booth in the back for them,” I replied.

She smiled. “I saw Tommy’s name in the schedule. I’ll seat them myself.”

I got back to work but began to make mistakes as my anxiety ramped up knowing my mate was nearby, right here in my establishment.

“Chef, this meal was returned,” Sally, one of my waitresses said, offering me an apologetic look. “They ordered the special without mushrooms.”

I stared down at the plate and sighed. “I need a break. Sous-chef! I’m going on break.”

“I’m here, Chef!” Harold stepped up next to me. “Would you like dinner brought out?”

My brother and Stacey’s meals had just gone out, so I could probably go and eat with them if I wanted to. “Yes, thank you,” I answered as I unwrapped my apron and went to the bathroom to wash my face and put on a new shirt. I was sweaty from slaving over the industrial stoves, and to be honest, I was getting more anxious just thinking about sitting within touching distance of Stacey.

Will that horrible zappy, tingly thing happen every time she touches me?

I seriously hoped not, and for my sanity I had to assume it wouldn’t. My cousins didn’t hit the deck every time their mates touched them, and Tommy didn’t seem to have a problem with it at all.

I quickly redressed, slicked my hair back, and walked into the restaurant smiling and waving at the patrons who immediately lit up, seeing the owner out of the kitchen. I made a bee line for the booth I’d organized Stacey and Tommy to be seated in. The booth was dark compared to the others and the most private, which suited our unique situation best.

They were both chatting and eating, laughing as she sipped water and he on wine. Stacey’s skin glowed in the low mood lighting and her hair shone like she’d been moon-kissed.

With more courage than I felt, I stepped up to the table and cleared my throat.

Stacey looked up at me and smiled as bright as the sun. She was literally radiant. The rest at Nancy’s had clearly been much needed.

My wolf howled in my mind, and I lost my ability to talk. I’d always hoped that when I met my mate, I’d know. That the recognition would be instantaneous, and that we’d fall together, in love and into bed.

Stacey leaned back in the booth, pressing a hand to her belly, which was swollen with Tommy’s growing child.

My ability to speak came back immediately with that cold dose of reality, and I slid into my professional role, the easiest of my personalities to choose. “Are you enjoying your meal?” I asked, offering my mate a polite smile in return.

She nodded. “Oh, yes, thank you. It’s perfect. Are you going to sit with us?”

I was halfway toward changing my mind about that, but Anthony was already walking our way from the kitchen with my plate in hand.

“Ah, yes, if that’s all right? I thought I’d take a short break.”

“Of course! Please, sit,” she said, sliding along the bench seat in a quick move I wasn’t expecting, given her current condition.

“Oh...” I glanced over at my brother, who hadn’t moved, whereas Stacey had made room for me beside her. “Thanks.”

What else could I say? I slid into the booth alongside Tommy’s pregnant mate—our mate—and took up the knife and fork that Anthony had placed down for me. “Thanks, Anthony.”

The waiter nodded and took his leave, dutifully returning to the kitchen for the next round of orders.

I took a moment to glance around the restaurant, which was still full and thankfully running well. At least I’d make a good impression with my business.

Good.

“So, how was the rest of your day?” I asked the table, trying not to stare at Stacey even though I was aching to do so.

“I called Tony and bought a new SUV,” Tommy announced.

I chewed on my steak, barely tasting it.

Tommy traded in his beloved sports car for a family van?

“Nice,” I said casually when I couldn’t think of anything more to offer. I turned toward Stacey with my eyebrows raised. I needed to make a real connection with her and every chance to do so precious, even if I was still uncomfortable about how this had all unfolded. “Stacey?” I prompted.

She toyed with the stem on her wine glass that was filled with sparkling water. “I had a chat with Nancy, which was good. It’s nice to have someone to talk to. Then I had a nap—I needed it.”

“I can imagine,” I managed to say. But truthfully, I had no idea what went on during pregnancy, nor how tired she must be, but creating another human being must surely be a hell of a lot of work and a lot of strain on the body. “I’m glad you got some rest.”

“What did you talk to Nancy about?” Tommy asked.

I glared at him for a moment for interrupting before turning back to Stacey. I’d tried to purposely ignore that part of her answer. A part of me didn’t want to know, and she was so tantalizingly close... I could so easily just brush against her arm or her thigh.

No! Don’t touch her. She’s not yours.

“Oh... ah, well, the perfect pairs thing mostly,” she said, her gaze moving furtively from me to Tommy. “I had some questions.”

I inhaled sharply, hating the feeling of being so far out of the loop. My ears had been burning this afternoon while I’d prepared for this evening’s dinner service. I should have known they’d been talking about me. “Tommy told you about how we’re supposed to share a mate?” I asked.

She stared at me, our eyes meeting with an intensity that took my breath away. “Yeah, he did. But I told Nancy that I’m not sure that will work for me, or even for you guys. Neither of you know me that well, and you probably don’t like this...” She gestured to her huge belly. “So, even though it was nice to talk to Nancy, she wasn’t in our situation when she met her husbands, so I just...” She trailed off, having seemingly run out of words.

I had the strangest urge to reach out and run my hand comfortingly over her huge belly, but I didn’t. Again, even if Fate somehow thought this could work, it wasn’t my baby, nor my right to touch her uninvited. “This is new for all of us too,” I managed to say, breaking the awkward silence that hung between us. “And I can imagine this was a surprise for you too.” I nodded toward her belly.

Tommy cleared his throat loudly, obviously wanting me to reassure Stacey that her pregnancy was indeed, wanted. I ignored him. I wasn’t ready to alleviate anyone’s feelings about what I thought or felt. I didn’t even know yet.

“It was a surprise,” Stacey said quietly, then reached out and gripped my bare forearm where my shirt was rolled up. “I’m so sorry to wreck all your plans.”

My eyes slid closed on a moan I couldn’t hope to contain. Her touch was the balm to my soul I’d been aching for all my life.

She didn’t let go upon hearing my reaction. In fact, she gripped tighter.

The touch wasn’t electric like before but was still stronger than I’d been prepared for. When I opened my eyes, she was staring at me. I didn’t respond except to continue staring right back at her, just drinking in her beauty and the serenity she radiated.

“It’s all true, isn’t it?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

I could only nod and gulp. My chest hurt, and my immediate response was to try and get away. For some strange reason, my flight instinct was being triggered.

Somehow, she seemed to read the play and moved her hand down to my thigh. “Please stay a bit longer.”

I nodded, turning quietly back to my steak and cut it into small pieces with skillful precision.

She’s my mate! She really is. Oh... my... God...

But what did that mean? Would I never know her love or affection while my brother married her, and they raised their baby? Or would she include me in their life? Would I be part of a true perfect pair, or would I forever be the third wheel in their relationship?

What’s the plan now?

Tommy artfully changed the subject while my brain imploded, drowning in a sea of questions. “So, Stacey, have you considered any names for the baby?”

Stacey turned to look at my brother but didn’t remove her warm hand from my leg. “Sort of. I thought of a few in the beginning, but I’m not really attached to any.”

“What do you like?” Tommy asked.

“Well, Margaret was my favorite,” she said. “It has so many variations and Maggie is such a cute baby’s name.”

“I like Margaret.” The words were out of my mouth before I’d given them permission to leave my brain. I glanced up to find my brother smirking at me. “What?” I protested. “It’s nice.”

“It is,” Tommy agreed before looking back at Stacey. “Perhaps Margaret Rose, or something like that?”

“Oh, I love that,” Stacey gushed, finally moving her hand back to her belly and taking a sip of her water. “That’s really beautiful.”

I missed her touch as soon as it was gone. It felt like a part of me had gotten up and removed itself, leaving me missing a piece. “So, where are you staying?” I asked, trying to sound casual when inside my head things were still spinning in overdrive.

“Nancy said I can stay with her for as long as I like,” Stacey answered. “I don’t want to be a burden, but until I can get a job here—”

“You don’t need a job,” I said, dismissing the notion completely. “You’re carrying Tommy’s baby, and you need to rest leading up to the birth, and surely for a good long while afterward. You don’t need to stress, we’ll take care of you.”

The “we” was unintentional, but Tommy and I had always been a team. I wasn’t going to bail on him now.

“I don’t want to leech off you,” she said quietly. “I do have a degree in interior design, I’ve just never had much chance to use it.”

I reached for the bottle of red wine and poured myself a glass, needing the fortification. This conversation was already racing down avenues I hadn’t planned, and Tommy wasn’t helping, sitting there just smiling at me.

The smug bastard.

“We both own businesses,” I said. She could redesign this whole place if she wanted to. I’d never been totally happy with the color palette anyway. “I have this restaurant and Tommy has the clinic. So, if you still feel compelled to work later, and pursue design, you’re welcome to do that in either of our places. Anything you want to do, you can. But for now—”

“You need to take care of yourself and our daughter,” Tommy finished for me.

I nodded and took a large sip of the wine. Had I just invited Stacey to live with us and be in our lives indefinitely? I finished my steak quickly then slid to the edge of the booth and stood. I needed time and space to think. Things were moving very quickly, and my instincts were making decisions my brain hadn’t had the opportunity to catch up with just yet.

“I need to get back to the kitchen, but I’ll see you both tomorrow maybe?”

Stacey’s eyes were as round as saucers. “I really am sorry, you know. I didn’t mean for this to happen. It’s not what I had planned.” She indicated to her belly again.

My heart broke a little when I saw the tears in her eyes. I had to be honest, even if it crushed me to admit it. She didn’t deserve my pain as well as her own. “I know you didn’t, and I’m not upset or mad at you. Not one bit.”

“Then what is it?” she asked, sliding her hand along the table as though to reach for me.

I smiled at my own ridiculousness. “I just wish I’d been a part of it. Meeting you for the first time part and romancing you. If you’re meant to be ours... I just feel like I should have been there. That’s all. And I’m...”

Jealous.

I couldn’t bring myself to say it, even if it was obvious to everyone around us.

Stacey nodded slowly as if mulling the thought over and moved her hand back to her belly.

I inclined my head in a small bow. “Enjoy the rest of your night and I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

I turned on my heel and returned to my kitchen, where I strived for nothing short of perfection and regularly hit the mark... unlike everything in my personal life, apparently.