“Careful, Kyle. The dark ages called. They want their caveman back.”
His laughter boomed into the phone. “I’ve never been around a pregnant woman before. You’re kinda scary now.”
“I’m scary?”
“Uh huh.”
Fin heard the sound of sheets rustling, reminding her of the early hour. “I uh, didn’t wake you, did I?”
“Nope. I don’t sleep much.”
“Oh,” she murmured.
“Just one of the hazards of the job, you know?”
Fin did know. It was rare to catch Ryan in sleep. When she did, she took full advantage, studying features that looked almost boyish in slumber—from the strong jaw to his straight nose and thick, dark lashes that brushed softly against his cheeks.
The image of Ryan reminded Fin of the reason for her call. “Um, Kyle? If Ryan was hurt, would someone ring me?”
There was a pause. “Why do you ask that?”
“I missed a call this morning just after three from a blocked number. When Jake died ...” Her chest tightened. Saying that would never come easy. “It was Mum who told me, so I don’t really … I’m scared that something will happen and I’ll never know.” There was a pause, so clearing her throat, she added, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t ever be sorry,” he replied, his voice husky.
Frowning at how much he sounded like Ryan, Fin pushed up off the bed. “I should get going.”
“No.”
Her brows flew up as she stumbled over the top of Crookshanks’ twining form. “No I shouldn’t?”
“No, they wouldn’t ring you if something happened to Ryan. If you were next of kin, they would tell you in person.”
“Oh.” Ryan hadn’t mentioned it before leaving, but it was highly unlikely she was his next of kin. Not now.
“I spoke to Ryan early this morning, Fin. It was probably him ringing you like you asked him to in your email.”
“You didn’t say anything, did you?”
“Of course I didn’t,” he replied. “I’m sure he’ll ring back so don’t get yourself upset.”
“You worried I might go into labour tonight while you’re here?” she teased as she made her way towards the kitchen, Crookshanks making a rapid trek in front of her with hungry anticipation.
“Fuck yeah,” he mumbled with a laugh.
“Well don’t. I have months to go yet.”
“Really?”
His voice took on a high pitched sound of disbelief that made her laugh. “Shut up!” Tucking the phone into her shoulder, she began spooning out Crookshanks’ breakfast while he sat there growling impatiently. “I do not look like I’m ready to pop!”
“If you say so.”
“So does baked beans on toast sound good for dinner?”
“I was only teasing,” he said quickly.
“Sure you were.” She placed the bowl of food on the floor for her cat and with a flick of the kettle, headed back towards her room. “I have to go get ready for work.”
“Shouldn’t you be on maternity leave by now?”
“Kyle!”
His laughter was loud. “Okay, okay. See you tonight.”
“See you then.”
“Oh, Fin? You can ring me anytime, okay?”
“Thanks, Kyle.”
Hanging up, Fin tossed the phone at her bed. How long had it been since she’d sent that email to Ryan? If it was him that rang, why had he waited so damn long?
Later that night, Fin answered the door to a grinning Kyle and a tub of ice cream. “Pregnant women eat everything in sight, right? So I figured ice cream would taste better than a bunch of flowers.”
Fin snorted and then covered her mouth, flushing with embarrassment as she let him in.
“Did you just snort?”
“No.”
“You so did.”
Fin reached for the ice cream, but he held it aloft in his good arm as he stepped inside. “I so did not.”
Kyle arched a brow at her. “Admit it or you get no ice cream.”
She pressed her lips together, fighting a laugh. “Don’t ever get between a pregnant woman and food.”
His eyes widened with alarm, dropping to her belly when she clutched it with a groan. When Kyle reached for her, she snatched the ice cream out of his arm and did a waddle type run for the kitchen.
Following behind, he pointed at her, his eyes narrowing. “You played me!”
Fin dug through the kitchen drawer for a spoon and waved it triumphantly. “I warned you.”
Spooning out a mouthful, Fin sighed with pleasure before tucking the ice cream into the freezer and getting Kyle a drink.
As they sat talking and laughing through dinner, Fin couldn’t remember the last time she felt so relaxed. Kyle reminded her so much of Jake that when he was around, it was almost like Jake had never left.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” she told him from where they were both splayed out the couch, trying to decide on what movie to watch. “I got you a present.”
Kyle’s eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas. “Really?”
“Oh, it’s just a little thing,” she muttered, grabbing hold of the armrest to lever herself out of the seat. She’d been walking past a small row of shops when it caught her eye, tucked into the window of the tiny gift store, begging to be taken home.