Red Carpet Arrangement

Something stuck in Riley’s throat. “Can I...?” He reached out, but snapped his hand back. Just because they’d slept together didn’t mean she wanted him pawing at her. “I mean, I don’t need to, but—”

“Of course you do. Here.” Gently, she guided his hand to the taut surface of her stomach.

Something brushed and knocked against his palm. He drew back. “Whoa.” He stared at his hand, as if it might be marked. “That’s...that’s crazy. Does it hurt?”

“Not really. Sometimes he’ll knee me in the bladder, though. Kick me in the spine. Not fun.”

Riley stuffed his hands back into his pockets, but he already wanted to feel that weird sensation again. A life he’d helped create banging around the inside of this woman...

“I’m going to take my stuff inside, say hi to my mom,” he said hastily. “Will you join us for dinner?”

“Actually, I was thinking of staying in tonight. Kaylee’s been so obliging, cooking for the nonvegetarian, and I don’t want her to feel as if she has to. I can make do for myself.”

“Oh.” He wanted to sit down with her, to talk to her...to face her and absorb her. And yet a part of him held back.

“Why don’t you join me?” she invited. “I’ve got enough for two. I’m making pork chops. Don’t tell Kaylee.” She smiled impishly and put a finger to her lips.

Images of domestic bliss, of pretty Kat as his wife serving him dinner, flitted through his mind. He shut them off almost violently. “I should probably spend some time with my family first.”

The warmth drained from her eyes, though her smile remained. “Okay. No worries.”

“It’s good to see you.” Riley mentally kicked himself. He sounded as if he were greeting an old classmate in the street. For Christ’s sake, he was an actor—a man whose job was to understand all the subtleties and subtext of language and words, a man supposedly in full control of his body and tone. And yet, in front of Kat Schwinn, he couldn’t do much more than babble and blurt out stupid things.

“You, too.” She retreated inside.

Idiot, he chastised himself, and went in to see his family.

* * *

IT’S GOOD TO see you.

Kat knew she shouldn’t read any more into Riley’s words, but she couldn’t help searching for deeper meaning. Had he meant it? Or was it simply a platitude to keep things between them pleasant?

Or was she trying to see something that wasn’t there?

I should probably spend some time with my family first.

Right. She wasn’t his family, and the baby wasn’t born yet, so why would he spend any time with her?

She closed her eyes, summoning the look of astonishment and wonder on his face when he’d felt their baby kick. She’d wanted desperately for there to be a connection, but his hasty retreat had said plenty. The man was terrified.

He’s still processing, she told herself. Considering his fuss over the car, at least she knew he was concerned for the baby’s well-being. But she wanted more than overprotectiveness from him.

Admit it. You want him to care about you as much as he cares about Sweetpea.

She pushed the thought away. She only wanted him for money and to be some kind of father to the baby. Her needs were secondary.

She made herself an omelet for dinner. She would have cooked the pork chops if Riley had joined her, but now it seemed pointless to make anything fancier for just one person. As it was, she was making do with whatever she could afford on her own. Riley’s mother had handed her a wad of cash for groceries, but it made Kat ill to think she’d have to accept it every week.

To that end, she knew she had to find some way to make money after the baby was born. She refused to become a complete moocher. Yes, she needed Riley’s support, but it was for the baby, not her. Bartending and waitressing weren’t conducive to parenting, either. No, she needed a steady source of income that would preferably keep her at home or give her regular hours.

She’d spent the past week researching online courses and certificate programs to bulk up her résumé. She wasn’t bad with computers and had kept a personal travel blog with a fairly large following. In hindsight, she could’ve monetized it with ads, but she’d never been interested in doing that. Still, web design was an option. And with her clerical skills, she was certain someone would hire her on a more permanent basis, maybe give her more regular hours.

She finished her unsatisfying omelet and was about to wash the dishes when someone knocked. She thought it might be Riley, or perhaps Winnie bringing her yet another blanket, or a bag of groceries or something else she thought Kat might need.