Seducing Simon(31)

“Think about it for a minute. As long as I’m living here with you guys you’re all going to put off your own wants and needs because you think I’m still a little girl you have to protect and take care of.”

“But—”

“Let me finish,” she said putting her hand out. “It will only get worse when the baby is born. I don’t want any of you to sacrifice your happiness for me. I can’t stand the thought of it. For everyone’s sake, including mine, I need to find a place for me and the baby to live. Then we’ll all feel free to make decisions regarding our futures without worry.” He shook his head adamantly. “What if something happened to you while you were pregnant?”

“It’s not like I wouldn’t have a phone,” she said dryly.

“I don’t want you to move,” he said simply.

“I think it might just be time to step out from under yours and Simon’s and A.J.’s protective arms. I’ve stayed because I’ve been comfortable, but I’ve never given thought to the sacrifices you’ve made for me.”

“It’s been no sacrifice,” he said fiercely. “You’ve taken care of us far more than we’ve ever taken care of you.”

She chuckled. “That might just be true, but maybe it’s time for that to change. I have a baby to take care of now.” Her mind began to work again. There had to be a solution. “What if I stayed until the baby is born and then moved? It would give everyone the time to get used to the idea, and it would give me the time to save up some money.”

“But is that what you want?” he asked, studying her intently.

“Because if you’re doing it because you think it would be best for us, forget it. You and the baby are more important right now.”

“I won’t lie and say I won’t miss you all terribly. But I’ll visit. Okay, I’ll visit a lot.” She grinned slightly. “And hopefully you guys will visit me.” And maybe, just maybe, if things went the way they were supposed to, Matt and Stephanie wouldn’t be the only ones to get together.

But she couldn’t think of her and Simon right now. Matt obviously wanted to make a commitment to Stephanie, and she didn’t want to keep her brother from his happiness.

“If you move, I’ll buy out your half of the house,” he said.

She shook her head. “Consider it my wedding gift to you and Stephanie.”

He shook his head just as adamantly.

“We’ll talk about it when the time comes,” she said in exasperation.

“What will we talk about?” A.J. said as he sauntered back up to the bar.

“That I’m going to move out after the baby’s born,” she said lightly.

There was no reason to keep it a secret. The sooner everyone knew, the faster it would be dealt with. She steeled herself for his protest, but then A.J. was the most easygoing of the bunch.

He merely looked at her. “Are you sure that’s what you want?” She nodded then turned back to Matt. “So, now that we got that out of the way, when do you plan to pop the question?”

A.J.’s mouth fell open. “Seriously? You’re asking Stephanie to marry you?”

“I’m thinking about it,” Matt corrected.

“Hey man, that’s great. She’s a wonderful girl.” He slapped Matt on the back, a broad grin on his face.

“Thanks. I think so too.”

The doorknob rattled and Simon walked in the door, dumping his keys on the bar. He looked curiously between the three standing at the bar. Toni tensed, the jubilation she felt for Matt fading.

“Did I miss something? You three look like you’re celebrating.”

“Matt’s getting hitched,” A.J. said with a grin.

“Might be getting hitched,” Matt said, elbowing A.J. in the gut.

“Really? That’s great. When’s the big day?” Toni watched as the world around her began to change. No, it had been changing for a while. Ever since the fateful night she’d had sex with Simon. And there wasn’t a damn thing she could do to reverse the consequences.

She tuned out the guys who were in an animated conversation as to how best for Matt to propose to Stephanie. Somehow, she’d always imagine she would be the first to get married and move out. At this rate, she’d be the last.

“I guess we’ll all be looking for a new place to live and not just Toni,” A.J. spoke up, yanking her from her thoughts.

Simon frowned. “What? I thought we agreed she was staying here.”

“Somehow I don’t see Matt and Stephanie wanting two guys, a sister-in-law and a baby crowding in on their marriage,” she pointed out. “Matt and I have discussed it, and I’ll move out after the baby’s born.” Simon looked thunderstruck. “There’s no reason the three of us couldn’t find a place.”

A.J. leaned back and remained silent. In fact, everyone shut up. “And what about when you and A.J. decide to get married? That means me and the tikester will be moving again. No, I’d rather find a permanent place and make a home for me and my child,” she said firmly.

Simon opened his mouth to speak then shut it again.

Matt ran a hand through his hair. “You see, Toni? This is precisely why I didn’t want to get into this yet. What we have here works. We’re a family.”