Aurora pressed her hand against her forehead. “This is so much so soon. Braden’s right. I need to think. And to get to know you more.”
He reluctantly accepted that. “How much longer can you fly? In your pregnancy, I mean?”
She lifted her head and shrugged her shoulders. “I never asked. There was no reason to.”
“Up to thirty-six weeks,” Braden said. “I’m her doctor, though we’d like to find her an obstetrician soon.” He met Linc’s gaze. “But I’m sure you already ran your own checks on the people in her life and I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.”
“Of course I did,” Linc muttered.
“She has two weeks before I’d prefer she didn’t get on an airplane.”
Linc drew a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll stay for a week. We’ll get to know one another and then you can make a decision. Fair?” he asked.
“Yes. Thank you,” Aurora said, obviously relieved. “I’d like that.”
“Well, since that’s settled, why don’t you two make plans for the week, and then I’d say Aurora and the baby need some rest.” Braden was obviously as used to making decisions for people he cared about as Linc was.
Braden rose from his seat and looked at Linc. “If you two would like to come to the Thunder football game on Sunday, I can get you box seats,” he offered.
Linc had stood as well. “Sounds fun.” And an easy way for them to spend time together. “Would you like to go?” he asked Aurora.
She nodded.
“Willow, walk me out? It’ll give them time to make plans.”
“Thanks,” Aurora said to them both.
Braden smiled at her and Willow nodded. “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” she said.
Linc waited until they were outside before glancing at his sister. Aurora twisted her hands in front of her, clearly nervous.
“So,” he said.
She grinned. “So.”
“Anything else you want to know? Or to ask me?”
“Trust fund?” She echoed the words back at him. “I grew up with all my things in a garbage bag in case I had to leave one foster home for another. I can’t wrap my head around not having to worry about money.”
Pain hit Linc in his heart and a lump rose to his throat. Not to mention fury at both of her parents, especially his own father, but he wouldn’t make Aurora dwell on what could and should have been.
“Well, you don’t have to worry. Not anymore. Which means you can also start to think about your hopes and dreams and what you want to do with your life.”
Realizing he was getting ahead of himself, he forced himself to slow down and backpedal. “But for now, let’s focus on getting to know each other. What’s your favorite food?” he asked, seeking to take the pressure off of her. She looked ready to pass out from shock.
“Pizza. Isn’t that everyone’s favorite food?” she asked, obviously serious.
He laughed. “Well, it’s mine. Pepperoni. How about you?”
“Mushroom and onions. It’s been a treat when I had extra money in my pocket.” She blushed. “Coffee or tea?” She was getting into the game.
“Coffee. Milk, no sugar. You?”
“Chamomile tea with a drop of milk and sugar. It’s been a lifesaver with the heartburn this last trimester.”
He remembered when Jordan had been pregnant. Before her miscarriage, she’d begun craving ice cream. She’d practically lived on pints of it until … she’d lost the baby. He shook his head, shocked those memories had come back to him.
He recalled staying with her overnight, hugging her as she cried, and swearing, given the chance, he’d beat her ex senseless.
But Jordan’s past wasn’t relevant now. The memories, however, reminded him of how solid and valuable their friendship was. Which meant he’d done the right thing by telling her they couldn’t act on their attraction again.
“Linc? I said favorite color. Is something wrong?” Aurora asked.
He shook his head. “Sorry. Blue. Yours?
“Yellow.” She laughed as the door opened and Willow stepped back inside.
“Am I interrupting?” she asked, shutting the door.
Linc rose to his feet. “Not at all. We were just getting to know each other. Aurora, would you like to spend the day at the hotel tomorrow? You can meet my assistant and best friend, Jordan. We’ll go shopping or hang out, whatever you prefer.”
She nodded. “Sounds amazing.” She pushed herself up from her seat. “Thank you for looking for me. And not giving up until you found me.”
He stepped over and hugged her as best he could around her big belly. “You’re family.”
He said his goodbyes, they exchanged phone numbers, and he promised to pick her up in the morning. Then he headed back to his hotel, where Jordan would be waiting.
* * *
Jordan heard the lock open and Linc push open the door and walk inside.
“Jordan?” he called out.
“Right here.” She’d stretched out in the sitting room on the sofa with an ottoman in front of her. On the television was an old comedy she’d been trying and failing to pay attention to.
Pushing herself to a sitting position, she pulled a blanket over her lap and waited for him to join her. He walked in, looking drained but also happy, and her heart skipped a beat.
“So how did it go?” she asked. She’d been dying to know the whole time he was gone, alternating between kicking herself for staying back at the hotel and telling herself she’d done the right thing.
He settled into a chair near the couch and smiled. “She’s a great kid. Definitely overwhelmed, with the pregnancy, her life at the moment, and now a new family to wrap her head around. But she seemed open to spending time with me. In fact, I’m picking her up in the morning and bringing her back here so we can all hang out and get to know one another.”
“Oh! That’s so
