Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(48)

The moron thought she was pregnant? She couldn’t wait to see his expression when he realized the truth. She put her hand on his chest and pushed him back a step. “While I appreciate your concern for my well-being, I’m not the one shopping for baby clothes.” She bit her lip to keep from laughing as confusion wrinkled his brow. Then his gaze darted to his mother, and his face paled.

“Mother?”

“Are you going to call her stupid?” Bryn asked.

“Of course not,” Jaxon snapped. He squared his shoulders. “Congratulations, Mother. I presume this is a happy occurrence?”

“Yes.” Lillith reached for his hand. “How would you feel about a baby brother?”

He looked at his shoes while he spoke. “I suppose it’s too late to suggest you adopt another kitten, instead?” His tone was dry, but there was truth in his words.

Lillith laughed. “Too late, but don’t worry. You’ll always be the firstborn male and your father’s heir.”

“Until the baby plots to overthrow you,” Bryn muttered.

Jaxon shot her a look that could melt glass. “Shouldn’t you be running along to meet your knight?”

“Bryn invited us to have lunch with her. Isn’t that sweet?” Lillith reached for the door to the shop. “But first I want to order some clothes.”

When she’d asked Lillith to join her for lunch, Jaxon hadn’t been part of the plan. “Now that I know you won’t be eating alone, I’ll be on my way.”

“I insist you have lunch with us.” Lillith held the door wide. “In you go. Both of you. First we shop. Then we eat.”

Jaxon reached for the door handle. “Ladies first, Mother. I suppose you should enter as well, Bryn.”

“Just for that, I’m going to buy matching monogrammed sweaters for you and your baby brother.” She wasn’t sure this store made such things, but they had to exist online somewhere. “I’m sure you’d look great in a blue sweater with choo-choo trains or a Disney character.”

Lillith winked at Bryn. “I know a store where they sell footy pajamas for grownups and babies. Wouldn’t it be adorable if Jaxon and his brother wore matching pajamas for our family Christmas photo?”

The image of Jaxon in Elmo footy pajamas had Bryn snorting with laughter. Lillith’s laughter tinkled like silver bells.

Jaxon pursed his lips. “I’ll wait right here.”

Bryn followed along behind Lillith, oohing and ahhing at the baby clothes. That part was easy. What she needed was an escape plan. While Lillith was wonderful, having lunch with Jaxon wasn’t what she needed today. Or any day. God forbid it put ideas in Lillith’s head about the future.

When it was time to pay for the clothes, Bryn made a show of checking her watch. “I’d no idea it was so late. Time for homework. I better go.”

“What about lunch?” Lillith’s eyes filled with tears. Real tears.

And now she’d made a pregnant woman cry. A new low. “Right. Lunch. I forgot. Lunch would be great.”

“Good.” Lillith retrieved a handkerchief from her handbag. “Sorry about this. I’m a bit emotional.”

“Not a problem.” Crap. How could she ditch Jaxon without abandoning Lillith? No ideas came to mind. And she still needed to see Valmont. “Want to eat at Fonzoli’s?”

…

Jaxon muttered under his breath as they walked down the sidewalk toward their lunch destination.

“What was that, Jaxon?” his mother asked.

“I said, ‘Do you think Father would approve of us being seen together, in public, with Bryn?’”

What was she, a social leper? If she didn’t fear Lillith bursting into tears, she’d insult him right back.

“Your father isn’t here.” Lillith pulled out her cell phone. “Though three is an awkward number. I know who should join us.”

Bryn tensed as Lillith dialed. Who was she calling?

“May I speak to Mrs. Sinclair?”

Crap. Not her grandmother.

Jaxon turned to her with terror in his eyes. “Stop this,” he whispered.

“What do you want me to do?” she whispered back. “Tackle your pregnant mom and wrestle the phone away from her?”

Maybe her grandmother wouldn’t be able to join them.

“Good afternoon, Marie. It’s Lillith. Sorry for the late notice, but Jaxon and I ran into Bryn in Dragon’s Bluff and we planned to lunch at Fonzoli’s. Would you like to join us?”

Jaxon grabbed Bryn’s arm, holding her in place while Lillith kept walking. “Leave. Now.”

“I can’t just run off.” She jerked her arm from his grasp. “Pretend you’re sick or something.”

“Westgates never run from a conflict.”

“But it’s okay if I scurry off.”

“You have no family reputation to uphold,” Jaxon shot back.

“Now I’m staying, just to spite you.” She moved faster and caught up with Lillith.

“That’s wonderful, Marie. We’ll see you soon.” Lillith tucked her cell phone back into her pocket. “Your grandmother will meet us at the restaurant.”

“That’s great.” She tried to sound happy. “This will give me a chance to finalize our plans for Christmas Eve.”