Waiting On You (Blue Heron #3)(101)

Those pirate eyes smiled, and a second later, his mouth followed. “You’re a genius, Colleen O’Rourke.”

“I get that all the time,” she said.

“I bet you do.”

“I also hear ‘extremely pretty’ and ‘quite hot in the sack.’”

“I’d attest to that.”

“So would—”

“I don’t want to hear about that,” he growled. “The only thing I want to hear is that you never got over me.”

“Well. You can think that if you want.”

“It’s true.”

She smiled. “Let’s say that it is for the sake of your huge Latin ego.” She put her head on his shoulder again. Guilt twinged in her knees, and her smile faded.

She had slept with other men. Not that many, but if Lucas knew—

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the best man’s toast,” the DJ said, and any further thoughts were cut off. She was with Lucas at a wedding, and he loved her. She was almost certain. She pushed any other, more complicated thoughts aside.

They toasted the bride and groom and had cake, and after Connor and she had done the electric slide, and when Emmaline Neal (St. Germain and vodka) had caught the bouquet, Lucas finally turned to her and said, “Come home with me.”

It was a command...a velvety promise of deliciousness.

Colleen grabbed her brother’s arm. “Walk Rufus for me?” she asked.

“Oh, gross. Listen, Campbell,” Connor growled. “Break her heart, and I’ll kill you. I mean it. The last time, you just—”

“Okay, okay, thank you for sharing,” Colleen said. “Bye, Con.”

They said goodbye to the happy couple and the Hollands, and then went off into the soft, sweet night air. A rumble of thunder came from across the lake, and a flicker of lightning lit the low-bellied clouds. Rain later tonight.

“It’s nice that you and Connor are still so close,” Lucas said as they drove down the Hill into town.

“Oh, yeah. How could we not be?”

“The flight from Chicago’s just over an hour.”

“I remember.” Buffalo-Niagara to O’Hare—how many times had she made that flight?

But wait a sec. What was he saying?

They were here, in front of the opera house. Lucas got out, opened her door and smiled. She tried to return it.

The flight being an hour...as in she could visit? Visit him? Visit Connor?

Well. They could talk about it inside. Or not. Maybe this was the exact conversation they should avoid.

They walked up to the second floor, and Lucas turned to her and kissed her, his hand on her neck. “I had a very nice time tonight,” he murmured.

“Your nice time is about to get better,” she said.

“Glad to hear it.” He opened the door, stood back. He always had such nice manners. Those parents of his had done a good job.

She went in, then leaped back in surprise, a little squeak escaping her. Someone was already here.

Someone blonde. Someone female.

Someone pregnant.

“Ellen,” Lucas said. “I didn’t expect you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Ah, shit. The last thing Lucas wanted was the tension that instantly coiled between the two women, but there it was in the middle of the room, like a snake.

“Anyone want something to drink?” he asked. Very uncool to have his pregnant ex-wife sitting on his couch. “Colleen?” Her face was white.

“I’m fine, thanks.”

Ellen stood up. “I already helped myself.” She looked at Colleen. “I’m Ellen Camp—Forbes,” she said. “We met when you visited Lucas in college.”

“Yes, I—I remember. You’re expecting. I didn’t hear that. Congratulations.”

Ellen smiled. “Thanks. My fiancé and I are really thrilled.”

“You’re engaged?”

“Yes. Getting married September first, the twins are due in late November.”

“Twins?” Colleen squeaked. “Wow. Mazel tov.”

“Thanks.” She smiled. “Lucas, I’m really sorry to be here. There was a screwup at the bed-and-breakfast, and they double-booked my room. The other couple was already there. I called you, but you weren’t picking up. The innkeeper knows the owner of this building, so she let me in when I told her who I was.” She paused. “I thought I could stay in your second bedroom for tonight.”

Great. Lucas glanced at Colleen, who stood there, silent. Not good. Not good at all.

“Yeah,” he said, suddenly realizing he hadn’t spoken. “Of course you can stay here.”

“I’m obviously interrupting your plans. I’m sorry.” She smiled again at Colleen.

Colleen seemed to snap out of her funk. “No, no, that’s...it’s fine. I’ll talk to you soon, Lucas. Uh, Ellen, it was nice to see you.” With that, she turned and left. Fast.

Lucas glanced at his ex-wife. “Be back in a few minutes. I’ll just walk her home.”

“Take your time. I’m really sorry about this.”

“No, no. These things happen. Make yourself at home.”

By the time he got out on the street, Colleen was halfway across the green. He ran to catch up to her, took her arm. She shook him off.