Looking over the roof of the car at his brother, he tried not to read too much into it. It couldn’t be. Not Enzo. Not his Rosie. Maybe he’d hooked up with one of Rosie’s soccer friends. Candace had been pretty slutty. She hooked up with that ass**le Rose said didn’t do commitment, and yet she was fine with it.

That made more sense than his little brother and Rose. Though the fact that they were the same age didn’t slip his mind, and now more than ever he wished he had read that entire text.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Feeling like she was going to see Vincent again for the first time since he left, Rose’s insides were all out of whack. She was so anxious to see him again she was giving herself an upset stomach.

She almost wished not so many people were there. As selfish as it felt, she wanted him all to herself. They had so much to catch up on, and she knew tonight everyone would want a piece of him.

The medicine cabinet in the guest bathroom was the last place she’d seen the stomach meds she needed to calm her anxious insides. Grace walked by just as she rummaged through it. “What are you looking for?”

“My stomach feels a little queasy. I think it’s all the excitement. I don’t want to be feeling sick when Vincent gets here.”

Grace walked halfway into the bathroom and opened the other door to the medicine cabinet. Rose giggled that Grace couldn’t get very close because of huge baby belly.

“Here, is this what you’re looking for?” She handed a small white bottle to Rose.

“Yes.” Rose smiled.

Grace didn’t move her big stomach out of the way; instead she stayed there and peered at Rose. “Are you sure it’s just the excitement that has your stomach upset?”

Rose pinched her brows. “Yeah, I guess. It’s been getting worse with every minute that goes by and Vincent isn’t here yet.”

Grace lowered her voice. “I wanted to talk to you about today.”

“What about today?”

“You and Lorenzo here alone in your bedroom with the door closed?”

“I told you he was checking—”

“I know what you said, but you’re the worst liar on the planet. I thought you were gonna break into song the way your voice went all over the place. And when we first got here and I called out to you, your response was I need to finish getting dressed. What was that about?”

“Yeah, what the hell was that about?”

Both Grace and Rose flinched at the sound of Vincent’s voice. Rose dropped the bottle of medicine, and she bumped her head against Grace’s belly trying to reach down for it. Grace moved out of the way, and Rose bent down at a loss for how to explain this. They both made their way out of the restroom, and to her surprise Vincent didn’t seem mad. He seemed nervous—almost scared.

“What’s going on Rose? Something happen between you and Enzo while I was gone?”

“What? No!”

Now he seemed angry. His brow lifted sharply. “Is that your bra in his car?”

She thought quick and remembered a few things were missing from her soccer bag. One of them was her white bra. “Yeah, I think.”

“It is?” Grace asked seemingly stunned by this.

“Well, yeah.” Rose looked back at Grace.

“Is that right?” Vince was louder now. “And he was in your bedroom today, door closed?” He pointed at Grace, “And you told her you had to get dressed, but nothing is going on?”

“Just tell them, Rose.” They all turned to Lorenzo who stood at the end of the hallway.

“You,” Vince pointed at Lorenzo his jaw going tight, “stay over there. You do not wanna be anywhere near me right now.” He turned back to Rose again. “So go ahead. Just tell me.”

Exhaling she dropped her head back. “This is not the time or place for this.”

“Damn it Rose, if you think I’m gonna wait—”

“Okay, okay,” she still couldn’t believe she was really standing here talking to Vincent. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I know it looks bad,” she turned to Grace, “but you’ll probably be more upset about the real truth.”

“What is it?” Grace asked already looking concerned.

“Lorenzo’s been giving me injections.”

“What?” Both Vince and Grace asked at the same time.

Vince turned and looked at his brother in disbelief.

“Can we go into your bedroom, please?” She asked Grace. “I don’t want anyone else overhearing.”

Grace started to her room, and Rose reached out for Vincent’s hand, turning back to Lorenzo. “You too, Lorenzo.” Then she turned to Vincent. “It’s not at all what you’re thinking, so you can stop threatening your brother.”

“Your bra is in the backseat of his car.” Vincent reminded her flatly.

She couldn’t help giggle at the absurdity of it all. “I can explain that, too.”

Her giggling seemed to ease Vincent a little, very little, though he did take her hand firmly in his.

Once in Grace’s bedroom she explained it all. Grace wanted details, such as her exact red-blood-cell count, which Rose hadn’t even thought to ask about. She wanted to know Rose’s next appointment date, and Grace was adamant that unless she was in the hospital giving birth, she’d be there with her. Vincent said he would be, too. She told them everything. The only thing she left out was who had originally been giving her the injections. But that was a conversation she’d save for another day: a conversation she planned on having with Vincent alone.