Page 94 of Wilde Flame

“If we want to do this co-parenting thing the right way, then we stay friends. I can respect that you’re not looking for anything serious, and I don’t want you to think that just because we’re having a baby, I think you’re going to fall in love with me. I know that’s not ever going to happen.”

I suddenly had the urge to pull Lilibeth into my arms and kiss her. She was unlike any woman I’d ever met before.

Feeling utterly confused by my feelings, I decided to try for a bit of humor. I winked and said, “Maybe we shouldn’t say it’s never going to happen.”

Softly smiling, she said, “Is that so?”

I glanced down at my pizza. I wasn’t sure what to say, so something told me not to say anything at all.

We placed all the toppings onto our pizzas, and when I went to put them into the oven, I paused to stare at Lilibeth’s. “You made a smiley face?”

Looking from me to her pizza and back, she replied. “Yeah. That way, I know which one is mine. I also put some extra mushrooms on it.”

My gaze took her in fully for a moment. Her hair was braided and hung over her shoulder, and she wore the lightest bit of makeup…if she had any makeup on at all. Her lips and cheeks looked pink, but I wasn’t sure if it was natural or not. Her eyes sparkled in the lights from above the island.

Her smile slowly faded when she noticed me staring. I pulled my gaze away and went about putting the pizzas into the oven.

When I turned back around, Lilibeth was wiping down the island. “Will you want two pizzas, or should we put all of this away?”

Before I could answer, Gatlin and Ensley walked into the kitchen.

“Lilibeth!” Ensley said, rushing over and giving her a hug. “I saw your car when we pulled up, and I was like, what is she doing here?”

Gatlin raised his brows, as if silently asking me the same question.

“We made some pizzas. I’ve got extra dough if you both want to make one.”

Rubbing his hands together, Gatlin got to work. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

Ensley walked over and kissed me on the cheek. “Sorry to just walk on in.”

“Yeah, I did notice the two of you just helped yourself to my house without knocking.”

My sister had the decency to look embarrassed. Gatlin, on the other hand, said, “Good thing no hanky-panky was going on.”

Lilibeth blushed.

“Why are you here?” Ensley asked, as she sprinkled cheese onto her pizza.

Lilibeth and I exchanged a look.

“We had something to talk about,” I replied, hoping that would end the questions. I should have known better.

“Like what?” Gatlin asked, before dropping his head back and letting cheese fall into his mouth.

“Nothing that concerns you,” I said with a frown, knowing that he knew exactly what we’d have to discuss.

Ensley’s gaze bounced between Lilibeth and me, but she didn’t say anything.

Gatlin walked over to the refrigerator and glanced inside. “Do you mind if I fry up some bacon to put on the pizza?”

“No!” Lilibeth and I both barked at the same time.

Gatlin swiftly shut the door and spun around, his hands in the air. “Sorry I asked!”

I took our pizzas out, and Gatlin and Ensley slid theirs in.

Lilibeth leaned down and inhaled. “That smells so good!”