Decklan sighed and stepped back into the apartment. “No, come on in. You drove all the way out here. What’s up?” he asked grudgingly.
“You’re going to be an uncle,” Gabe said, placing his hand over Isabelle’s flat stomach. “Forgive me for thinking you’d want to hear the news in person.”
His brother’s happiness was both a blessing and a punch in the gut to Decklan, who’d never let himself think of having a wife or kids of his own. Lucy and Gabe were his family. He’d welcomed Isabelle because she made his brother happy, but it left him odd man out. He hadn’t let himself feel it too much—Decklan preferred not to feel at all—but now, a baby? His brother would be having his own family—one that didn’t include him.
“Congratulations,” he said with a combination of genuine and forced cheer.
He really sucked, he thought. Knowing how thrilled his brother was, he ought to feel exactly the same way. He pulled Isabelle into a brotherly hug, not wanting to give Gabe the chance to catch on that anything was wrong. Given time to adjust to the news, he’d be just fine.
“Thanks.” She squeezed him back. “Are you okay?” she whispered in his ear.
“I’m good. Promise.”
Gabe grabbed Decklan’s shoulder and physically separated the two. “Enough hugging.”
Decklan rolled his eyes and Isabelle laughed. “Back off, caveman. He’s my brother too.”
He grinned, pleased he could at least annoy Gabe as much as his brother could bug him.
“Hi,” Amanda said, joining them.
Decklan glanced her way. She wore a pretty yellow sundress she must have had rolled in her bag, her feet were bare, and she hadn’t added makeup. Her hair fell around her shoulders. No artifice, no pretense. She’d never looked more beautiful.
“Am I interrupting?” she asked.
“Of course not.”
Except she was. He never introduced his brother to the women he was involved with. Because he never got involved. But he was now. And looking at her merely confirmed it. Not just because she affected him sexually, which she did, but because the vulnerability in her gaze tugged at his heart. And he really hadn’t thought he had one to speak of.
Gabe studied her through hooded eyes, clearly doing his assessment thing. Isabelle, though, she looked from Decklan to the other woman, and a big grin showed on her face.
There was nothing to do but introduce them. “Amanda Collins, this is my brother, Gabe, and his wife, Isabelle.”
“Hi,” Amanda said, more shyly than he would have expected.
“Hi!” Isabelle walked up to her and gave a warm smile that welcomed her right away. “I’m happy to meet you.”
“Umm … same. And thanks.” Amanda ran a hand through her hair, clearly uncomfortable.
“We didn’t mean to interrupt, but Gabe and I came to tell Decklan he’s going to be an uncle.” She excitedly tapped at her belly.
Her cheeks were glowing, happiness just exuded from her in contagious waves, and Decklan couldn’t help but feel and share her joy.
“That’s great!” Amanda said in a shaky voice. “Congratulations. Listen, I can see this is a family moment. I’ll call a cab and be out of here in a few minutes. Then you can all celebrate.” She turned away and started for the bedroom.
“No!” All three of them spoke loudly and at the same time. Even Decklan was startled.
Amanda paused and glanced over her shoulder.
“Don’t leave on our account,” Gabe said. “I would love to get to know my brother’s—” His words ended with a sharp jab to his stomach by his pregnant wife.
And Decklan blew out a relieved breath, grateful Isabelle had stepped in. He didn’t know what he and Amanda were yet. And f**k Gabe for trying to push him into admitting something. Just because his brother was ready for a wife, a baby, and the whole white picket fence thing didn’t mean Decklan was.
Except he couldn’t stop thinking about that tiny thing growing inside his sister-in-law. He was going to be an uncle, Gabe a father. And the more he let it sink in, the more excited he became.
“Stay,” he heard himself saying to Amanda. Because this was an important moment in his life, and he wanted her to share it with him.
His mouth suddenly ran dry at the thought. If asked, he’d have said he wasn’t ready to have Amanda mingling with his family, but now that it was happening? He was happy. And relieved it was done. Because as short as their time had been together, she was coming to mean something to him.
So he didn’t want her leaving now, embarrassed because she’d spent the night. And he sure as hell wasn’t prepared to give up his time with her. Obviously Gabe and Iz weren’t leaving any time soon, so the solution was clear.
She met his gaze, as if searching his expression to make sure she was welcome.
“Stay,” he said again, more firmly this time, so she understood he knew this was his choice.
She exhaled long and hard. “Okay, then.”
“Great! Now that that’s settled, breakfast, anyone?” Isabelle asked, her cheery voice interrupting any silent moment he and Amanda might have been sharing.
“Isabelle, I’m not sure they want company,” Gabe said.
She waved a hand at him. “Nonsense, right, Decklan?” she asked before anyone could reply. “We can go to that cute place down the road. They have the best pancakes. And French toast. Blintzes. And bacon.”
Gabe snorted a laugh.
“What?” she asked, offended. “I’m eating for two.”
“Kitten, watching you eat is my favorite pastime.” Gabe smiled at her indulgently, the whole scene so at odds with the man he’d been. Isabelle had changed Gabe for the better.
“No morning sickness?” Amanda asked.
Isabelle shook her head. “Not really. Just a little at odd times.” She glanced at Decklan. “We figured it out on Eden when we were there for the opening of Elite. But I wanted to keep it quiet until we were sure.”
“Now she can’t wait to share it with the world,” Gabe said, wrapping an arm protectively around her.
Decklan watched his brother and sister-in-law through new eyes. Now that he had someone in his life who interested him beyond one night, he wasn’t so quick to call his brother whipped. He was more intrigued by their dynamic. Panicked at the thought of feeling as much as Gabe did, but he didn’t have to rush things. He just had to see where things with Amanda led.