“Aye.” He stands and buckles his pants then helps me put on my underwear. My belly lurches. We both watch in awe. Our sexy activities woke the babies, who are wriggling around like aliens under my skin.
“They’re crazily active today.” I place Connor’s hand on my belly, mesmerized by how my bump moves and distorts as they shift position.
He caresses an elbow. Or maybe a knee. “Does it hurt?”
“Not exactly. It’s the weirdest sensation. Uncomfortable. Sometimes they… Ugh—” A baby essentially stands on my bladder “He got me. I have to pee. Likenow.” I roll myself off the sofa and hustle to the bathroom to take care of business.
When I return, Connor holds his hand out. “Should we head up? I’m convinced they’re done shagging the life out of each other by now.”
“We gave them more than enough time.” I can’t help but smirk as we weave our way up the path to the house.
There’s no sign of Ty and Zoey yet. We retreat to our room where Connor changes his sex-stained t-shirt. A bit of his spunk is visible on my skirt, so I change too. Opting for the comfort of an old, oversized LTZ sweatshirt and leggings.
Our guests are still “resting,” so we decide to prep for dinner. Connor seasons steaks for the grill and wraps corn on the cob in aluminum foil with little pats of butter. I assemble a chopped salad. By the time we’re done, the lead singer of LTZ and his fiancée appear in the doorway looking, uh… fresh? Yes. They look fresh.
“Hey, Ronni.” Ty, wearing his usual uniform of ripped jeans and a black Henley, embraces me from the side. He looks slightly terrified at the sight of my protruding belly.
Sporting black jeans and a light-gray sweater, Zoey almost shyly hangs back and studies us. I get it. She’s still a tad uncomfortable around me. During our publicity-generated fauxmance, Ty and I were plastered everywhere as the world’s “it” couple. Zoey had no way of knowing our romance was a ruse.
Connor hated everything about the stupid stunt. At least he knew it was fake. She didn’t. Ty told Zoey the truth when they got back together. Let’s just say she wasnotimpressed andnotafraid to say so. On the day we met, she harshly called me out. Which I respected.
“Zoey, take this.” Connor hands her a can of Guinness. “Let me properly welcome you to Ireland.”
Her smile is genuine when she throws her arms around my husband. She takes a swig of the stout and tries to hide her wince. “Thank you for inviting us. I’m so glad this worked out schedule-wise. Your house is stunning. Thiscountryis stunning, from what I’ve seen so far.”
We spend a couple of hours eating, drinking, and catching up. When it starts getting late, the men leave Zoey and I in the living room while they clean up. “What’s it like?” Zoey eyeballs my bump. “I mean,twins. Are you terrified?”
I realize I’m rubbing my stomach. It’s become a habit. I love feeling my babies growing inside me. “I’m scared to death for all of it. I’m having a C-section, so at least I don’t have to panic about pushing them out of me. Connor’s aunt and mom will be here for a couple of months to help. After that? We’ll figure out if we need to get a nanny. Or two.”
“I can’t wait to have kids, although, it’s been wonderful having Ty to myself.” Zoey relaxes back into the sofa.
“Well, you deserve some time together.” I reach over and rub the top of her hand. “Ty seems the happiest I’ve ever seen him. The way he looks at you, Zoey? You’re destined. It’s so clear.”
“I appreciate that, especially coming from you. I’ll admit, it’s still hard to believe I’m sitting here talking to you like this. You and I haven’t had much alone time.” Zoey’s cheeks redden, but she manages to keep eye contact.
I’m self-aware enough to know Zoey’s still a little weirded out about me. “Can I admit something to you? I always feel like an outsider because people are intimidated by this stupid fame thing. It was so fun to meet all of the LTZ ladies last year after hearing so much about you. I’m genuinely happy you and I are becoming friends. ”
“Oh, thank God. Me too.” Zoey visibly relaxes. She looks behind us toward the kitchen and whips back around. “Before they come back, could I ask you a question? You don’t have to answer.”
“Uh, sure.” My hackles are up, just a little. The babies shift a bit and I have to readjust my position to get comfortable.
Zoey scrunches her nose, then surprises me. “Did Ty ever talk about his childhood with you?”
“No.” I shrug. “Never.”
“Ah, okay.” She slumps.
I can’t help but to be concerned about Ty. He’s such a sensitive soul. “Is everything okay?”
“Oh, um. Yeah. I was just wondering. All that stuff with his mom and the press. He never wants to talk about it. I don’t want him to get hurt again.” She waves her hand in the air to shoo herself. “I’m being overprotective.”
She’s clearly bothered, but I don’t have anything to tell her. Plus, it’s Ty’s prerogative to talk to his fiancée. “Just ask him, Zoey. It’s sweet that you want to take care of him. He hasn’t had too many people in his life looking out for his best interests.”
Luckily, I’m saved by the guys rejoining us. The four of us visit for a while, but soon I’m exhausted, and Connor and I say goodnight.
“Are you missing the band?” I murmur against Connor’s chest as he strokes my hair in our big bed.
“Aye, a bit.” Connor kisses the side of my head. “We’d been in each other’s pockets for years. It’s to be expected. Still, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here with you.”