Alpha Hero - Hope Ford Page 0,40

but before I can walk in the door he grabs my hand. “Wait.”

I turn around and pull my hand back.

He looks at me with confusion. “I, uh, just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I laugh. “Zach, women lose their virginity every day. I’m fine. I promise you can chill out. I don’t plan on throwing myself at you or having my dad come over with a shotgun, forcing your hand in marriage. I’m good. Don’t worry about me.” I stare him dead in the eye, hoping he believes me, praying that practicing my poker face worked.

He looks rattled. He pushes his hand roughly through his hair. “So that’s it?”

I shake my head in confusion, about to answer him when the front door opens and Terry pops his head out. “C’mon, guys, dinner’s almost ready.”

I don’t even look back at Zach. I walk in the house, hoping that there’s a bottle of wine somewhere. Shoot, no wine for me; I have to work early in the morning.

I walk into the kitchen and Ella is lying in the bassinet. I lean over, kissing her little toes. “Hey, Ella.”

She smiles up at me and I swear she’s almost giggling.

April is talking to me as she’s pulling things out of the cabinet. I keep smiling at Ella and rubbing her feet as she coos and gurgles. She’s so beautiful and such a good baby. I can’t stop smiling at her.

I feel someone looking at me and when I turn to the side, Zach is standing in the doorway staring at me. His look is intense and I raise up to my full height, staring back at him. His gaze is burning into me. Just that one look from him causes my lower belly to pull. He takes a step toward me and I turn away from him to go help April.

“What…” I croak. I clear my throat and try again. “What can I do to help?”

She turns around and puts a stack of plates in my hands. “Will you set the table?”

Zach

Watching her with baby Ella made me feel things I’ve never felt before. We sit down to eat and April has loaded my plate up with chicken, potatoes, and green beans. I look down at the food and although I can always eat, I just don’t have an appetite today.

April’s watching me and I smile at her, putting a forkful in my mouth. “Mmmm. It’s great,” I tell her and when she smiles and looks away, I look over at Shannon. She’s all smiles, seeming to be totally unaffected by everything that happened last night.

We talk about work and baby Ella. She makes herself known every once in a while and when she does she has four pairs of eyes smiling at her.

After we’ve cleared the dishes and April is bringing dessert to the table, she says, “You know, Shannon, I’ve been thinking about it, and Baker would be perfect for you.”

I about spit out the drink I just took. “What?”

Terry slaps me on the back. “Are you zoned out, man? They’ve been talking about finding Shannon a date.”

I look over at Shannon and her face is beet red. Even more red than it was last night when she saw my cock for the first time.

I clear my throat and look at Shannon. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Her clear blue eyes look back at me. “Why not? He’s your friend, isn’t he?”

I shift in my seat. “Well, yes, but he’s a player. Not really boyfriend material, if you know what I mean.”

April sets a plate down in front of me with a big piece of strawberry shortcake on it. “You’re one to talk.” She snorts. I glare at her and she laughs even harder, throwing her hands up in front of her before saying “sorry” with a smirk.

Terry jumps in. “Actually, Zach, I was talking to him the other day and he was talking about settling down, wanting what April and I have.”

I look over at him, ready to punch him in the gut. We’re brothers, we’re supposed to have each other’s backs, but he’s smiling at April and the love on his face has me turning away.

I turn to Shannon and she’s playing with the dessert on her plate. “It’s a bad idea, Shannon.”

She turns to look at me and smiles. It doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s okay, I’m not really looking for a relationship anyway.”

She says it so quietly, I have to lean forward to hear her.

She