Chapter 14
Across the table, Julian slid the neatly sliced steak in front of Avery and switched away the untouched
one.
“Focus on eating,” he said. “It’s disrespectful to the food otherwise.”
Avery couldn’t help but laugh. “First time I’ve heard that you’re supposed to respect the food.”
“Everything should be treated with respect,” Julian said.
For whatever reason, coming from him, it landed. Avery blinked and then nodded. “Okay. Point taken.”
A second later, she actually looked at the plate and raised her gaze to meet his eyes. “You set me up?”
When they had ordered, she had asked for medium, and he had asked for well-done. She had wondered when a man like him started eating steak that way. It turned out he had ordered it for her.
Julian raised an eyebrow and kept cutting with an easy grace. “You’re pregnant. Better to be safe than sorry. Well-done reduces the risk of Listeria.”
Avery’s breath hitched. If he hadn’t said it, she wouldn’t have remembered.
Early on, the doctor had rattled off a list of do’s and don’ts, and she had tucked them away.
But this week had been a mess, and all of it had fallen right out of her head.
She looked at the unfairly handsome man across from her and teased, “Didn’t expect you to know that
much.”
How would he even know what Listeria was?
To her surprise, a hint of color climbed his ears. He looked almost sheepish. “Actually, I just learned it.”
“What?” Avery didn’t get it.
Julian held her gaze and said, “After you told me you were pregnant with my baby, I started studying how
to be a decent dad.”
Avery’s breath caught, and her heart skipped a beat.
Julian thought she didn’t believe him, so he unlocked his phone and showed her three pregnancy apps.
“I downloaded a dozen at first, but these three cover it. This one handles prenatal basics. This one goes through postpartum care. And this one tracks the baby’s milestones…”
He walked her through them patiently. Then, he noticed her eyes had reddened,
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, genuinely thrown. “When you messaged me, I was overseas on a work trip, so I couldn’t grab any books. I figured I would cram with apps first. If that’s not enough, I can sign up for a class in a couple of days.”
Chapter 14
2/2
Tears trembled on her lashes while a hundred feelings knotted in her chest.
When she had first gotten pregnant, the doctor suggested that Damien learn a few basics, too. But he
brushed it off without blinking.
The doctor had patted her hand and said most men came around once the baby arrived.
Now, Avery understood. Damien hadn’t cared because the baby wasn’t his.
Julian’s voice tugged her back. “Don’t cry. This is my first time being a father. If I get something wrong, you can correct me. If you need anything, just say it.”
He paused, then added, “I can’t promise I’ll be perfect, but I’ll give you my all. Okay?”
A tear rolled down her cheek, and the words hitched in her throat. “Why… Why are you being so good to
me?”
Julian’s eyes softened. “You’re carrying my baby. Taking care of you is the least I can do. Besides, my feelings for you have never changed.”
Avery was stunned. “You… You still like me?”
