The Pairing (The Proposition #3)(13)

“I see.”

“In your culture do they do anything special like this for a baby?”

Pesh nodded. “We have the Namakaran, or naming ceremony. It’s sometimes held in a temple. And like this, it’s all about offering blessings to the child—family and friends coming together in support of the new baby.”

“I like it.”

They were momentarily interrupted by Aidan and Emma walking up. Noah immediately reached out for Emma. “Such a mama’s boy,” Aidan muttered, which earned him a glare from Emma. He merely winked at her in response before starting down the aisle.

Pesh saw Megan’s mother beckoning her with a wave. “Guess you need to go,” he said.

“But I’ll see you at Aidan and Emma’s, right?” she asked.

He swallowed hard. “Um, yes, I’ll be there.”

“Good,” she replied, with an alluring smile. She gave him a small wave before walking off to join her parents.

Shaking his head, he mumbled, “This is trouble.”

Chapter Four

When Megan arrived with her parents at Aidan and Emma’s, she was surprised to see a catering truck outside in the driveway. Her surprise continued once she got inside the house. Gazing out into the backyard, she saw where tables were set up alongside the pool. The tables were adorned with blue and white tablecloths and glittering blue and white centerpieces.

A low whistle behind her got Megan’s attention. Turning around, she saw Casey shaking her head. “Wow, this is one epic baptism party,” she remarked.

“It’s impressive. That’s for sure,” Megan agreed.

As Emma breezed into the kitchen with Noah in a more comfortable outfit, Casey cocked her head. “So, I was just wondering where the ice sculptures were?”

Pink tinged Emma’s cheeks. “I kinda got carried away. With me not working anymore, the old marketing and PR side of me let loose. And with my connections, I was able to get everything ridiculously discounted.”

Megan smiled. “Everything looks wonderful. You waited so long to have a baby that it makes sense you might go a little overboard.”

Emma wrinkled her nose. “I never wanted to be one of those moms who threw the over-the-top parties.”

While Casey started to open her mouth, Megan smacked her playfully. “It’s just catered in food, right?”

Emma nodded. “They did the tables, too.”

“Then I think you’re safe from being a Momzilla Party Monster…for now.”

Casey laughed. “I’ll anxiously be awaiting Noah’s first birthday party.”

With a scowl, Emma mumbled, “Whatever.”

Realizing she didn’t see Mason, Megan quickly excused herself and went outside. She didn’t like the idea of him being close to the pool. Even with everyone around, it was still too dangerous for her liking. Just as her chest started to tighten, she saw him on her papa’s lap. The two of them sat at one of the tables underneath the shade of a massive umbrella. Several of her other younger cousins sat around them, playing on their PSPs and other hand-held devices. “Everything okay?” she asked.

“We’re fine, honey,” Papa replied.

“Let me know if he gets to be too much.”

Cocking his head, Papa demanded, “Are you trying to say I’m old or something?”

“No, not at all. He’s a handful even for me.”

He waved her away with a hand gnarled with age and time. “Go on and enjoy yourself. I’ll keep an eye on Mason.”

She smiled and leaned down to kiss his weathered cheek. “Thanks, Papa.”

He returned her smile. “You know, while you’re enjoying yourself, you might go spend a little time with the godfather.”

Megan’s eyes widened. Was he trying to set her up with Pesh like he had with Emma? He gave her a knowing look. “Be good for both of you.”

“Um, okay. Whatever, Papa,” she murmured, before she turned away. Although she hated to admit it, she had been looking forward to talking to Pesh again. She had tried to kid herself that she hadn’t secretly been searching the crowd for him when she was taking in all of Emma’s decorations. When she did finally catch sight of him, her traitorous heart skipped a beat. She didn’t mind if her body gave a reaction, but it pissed her off that her heart was affected by him as well.

He’d ditched his suit jacket along with his tie. With the first button of his shirt undone, she could see a tuft of dark chest hair. She bit her lip at the sight. She was a sucker for chest hair. Her eyes dipped down to take in how the sleeves of his white shirt had been rolled up to his elbows, giving just a glimpse of his defined biceps. Casey had been absolutely right—he was built like a brick shithouse. Megan wanted nothing more than to get better acquainted with his body, especially with fewer clothes on him.

At the sound of Emma’s voice behind her, she jumped. “Ready to eat?” Emma asked.

“Um, sure.”

Emma gave her a puzzled look before nodding in Pesh’s direction. “Why don’t you ask Pesh to join you at Aidan’s and my table? He doesn’t know a lot of people, and I would hate to have him end up with the kids.”

Megan quirked her brows in surprise. “Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”