Ruined (Barnes Brothers #4)(68)

Marin moved toward Sebastien and took his hand. She squeezed it, willing him to look at her.

And he did.

He brushed her hair back and her heart stuttered as he lowered his head and rubbed his mouth across hers. “Well, this kinda got f*cked up.”

“Only if we let it.” She squeezed his hand again and looked over at Denise, then Ron, Zane and Keelie, finally settling her gaze on Abigale and Zach. Abigale didn’t look happy but her face softened with a smile as their gazes locked. “We came out to tell you all something. Be happy or don’t . . . it’s up to you, but I know you guys. I figure you’ll be happy. Even Zach, once he pulls his head out of his ass.”

She lifted Sebastien’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “We’re pregnant.”

***

“Okay. . . . first off, Zach really does owe me fifty. I always had this feeling about you two. But . . .”

Marin looked up as Abby slid into the room. People were still gathered outside, but Marin had retreated indoors, away from the heat and the noise. “But, what?”

Abby lifted a shoulder. “But . . . when? How? Wasn’t that long ago he was still stuck in the bottom of a bottle. And I know you. You’re not going to fall into a bottle with somebody. So I’m wondering how it all happened.”

Marin wasn’t surprised by the question.

Amid the congratulations and well-wishes and hugs from Denise and Ron, she’d caught the curious looks.

If somebody had told her that this would be her reality eighteen months ago, two years ago, Marin would have kindly suggested the person get a reality check. Then she would have tried to explain how things in Hollywood work and how the paparazzi will try to sell anybody as a couple and the production companies were happy with it because it was PR. It was good for a movie if people believed the leading actors were involved. Marin got that, even though she didn’t particularly see why it mattered. People loved the idea of people being in love, whether they were or weren’t. Just like plenty of people loved to see a star fall, she brooded darkly.

As Abby settled down on the stool across from hers, Marin picked up her sparkling water and debated her answer.

Finally deciding to keep it light, she said, “I’m surprised you don’t already know this. But . . . sometimes when a boy and girl like each other very much . . .”

Abby threw a piece of popcorn at her. Marin swayed to the side and caught it. “Thanks. I was getting hungry.”

“I’m not surprised. You didn’t eat enough to nurture a stick—not even a dead one,” Abby said dryly. Rolling her eyes, she braced her elbows on the kitchen island. “It’s just us. So . . . spill.”

“What’s there to spill? We slept together. I’m pregnant.” Marin shrugged.

“And how long have you been seeing each other?” Abby studied her closely. “I mean, when I saw the two of you last week in Chicago, it seemed like it was pretty obvious and now with the baby and all . . .”

Marin sighed and twirled her straw around in her glass.

“Okay, so you’re not seeing each other?”

“Would you let me finish talking?” Marin asked mildly. “Good grief.”

Unwittingly, her gaze slid up past Abby’s shoulder and she stared outside, unerringly seeking out Sebastien. He was talking with Javi and Keelie and the three of them were laughing. Javi was one of the tattoo artists who worked with Zach and Keelie. As Marin watched, he reached out and slapped Sebastien on the back with enough force to make the taller man stumble.

“So what is there?” Abby asked softly. “I can tell you that Sebastien’s had a thing for you for a long, long time. Zach keeps telling me that was back when he was a kid, but . . .”

Marin couldn’t keep from smiling. “Zach’s a funny one to be mentioning things like that, now isn’t he?” Then she shrugged. “Sebastien? Now, he hasn’t been a kid for a long, long time.”

The two of them shared a look and finally a slow smile cracked Abby’s face. “Well, you aren’t kidding there. He’s a like a little brother to me, but . . . damn, he turned out pretty, didn’t he?”

“Mine,” Marin advised.

Abby chuckled and reached over, grabbing Marin’s hand. “Don’t worry. I’ve got my own Barnes boy to deal with. And trust me . . . one of them is more than enough. You sure you're ready to take that on?”

Marin laughed. “Well, ready or not . . . I’m doing it.”

After a few more minutes, they went back outside, Marin mostly because she wanted to find Sebastien—and get something else to eat. Shooting would be done in two more weeks and she was starving. Screw the cameras. She could have one day to eat, right? Abby was checking on the food. Birthday or not, she didn’t know how to not work, it seemed.

Sebastien wasn’t anywhere to be found, though, and when she noted that Zach was missing, she heaved out a sigh and hunted down Abby once more. “Any idea where Seb and Zach might have gone?”

“Ah . . . if they are going to knock heads, you might as well let them do it.” Abby hitched up a shoulder. “You know at some point a couple of them always end up brawling at these family things. It would almost be . . . boring without it, I guess.” She paused, lips pursed as she thought that over. “No, never mind. I take it back. No, it wouldn’t. It would be lovely.”