Page 102 of Wilde Flame

Levi leaned forward. “She’s moving in with you, but you’re not together. Do you think that’s a good idea, Caden?”

Irritated now, I asked, “Why wouldn’t it be?”

He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “Listen, you’re my best friend, so I’m going to speak frankly. You like her, Caden. You’ve also said you don’t see yourself ever getting into another relationship, but anyone with eyes can see that you like her. And I’m pretty doggone sure she likes you. You don’t see this as a problem, trying to live together platonically?”

“I don’t. Lilibeth and I both know where things stand between us…for now, anyway.”

Now he looked confused. Which matched how I felt. “Wait, so you’re saying you could maybe see yourself with Lilibeth?”

I shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. I don’t want to be afraid of a relationship, but I also have to be honest with myself. I’m not ready to open my heart again. Maybe things will be different once the baby comes.”

Levi stood, shaking his head. “Speaking from experience…don’t wait too long, Caden. Someone like Lilibeth certainly won’t wait around forever.”

“You think Lilibeth is going to start dating while she’s pregnant?” I asked, with a forced laugh.

“I’m saying it doesn’t matter if she’s pregnant or not. If she doesn’t think she has a future with you other than co-parenting, she isn’t going to stop looking for love.”

I shook my head this time, but I wasn’t sure if I was disagreeing with my best friend or simply burying my head in the sand.

Suddenly, Emeline appeared in the doorway.

“Hey, sis,” I said, making my way over and giving her a big hug.

She looked at me, then at Levi. When she narrowed her eyes at him, he held up his hands. “I had to tell someone!”

“I knew you weren’t going to be able to keep this a secret! I knew it!”

Laughing, Levi pulled her to him. “Caden has news, too.”

She looked back at me, intrigued. “Really? What’s your news?”

I exchanged a quick look with Levi before I focused on my sister. “We were going to tell you tonight.”

“We?” she asked, one brow raised.

“Lilibeth is joining us for dinner. She’s pregnant and due the twenty-third.”

Emeline’s mouth dropped open. Then a huge smile appeared on her face. “Lilibeth is pregnant? Wow! That must have been some seriously stormy days you guys spent together!”

Levi laughed, as I attempted not to smile.

“We nearly got pregnant on the same day!” Emeline said. “Does anyone else know?”

I screwed up my face as I said, “Mom, Dad, Lilibeth’s parents…”

My voice trailed off. Emeline put her hands on her hips as Levi took a step back and muttered, “Oh no.”

“I feel like there are more people on that list.”

Rolling my eyes, I said, “Gatlin and Ensley know.”

Her mouth fell open again. “I’m the last one to know?”

“No!” I said quickly. “Granddad and Grandma don’t know, and neither do our uncles.”

Emeline shot me a dirty look. “Oh, that makes me feel so much better.”

“Ensley just guessed, when she and Gatlin stopped by unannounced at my house. Lilibeth got sick, and you women all have some weird sense about this kind of stuff.” I snapped my fingers. “And Mrs. Harper. She guessed, too.”