Chapter 19 #2
Once Ryder was dressed, her mom’s suitcases were stored in the guest room, and her mom had stopped to gush over Crank like he was a purebred, they headed to Plow in Potrero Hill. Gia had recommended the farm-to-table restaurant for brunch.
They found Hunt and Savannah, and Cam waiting for them. After introductions, they were seated in the rustic dining room and ordered.
“Savannah, I love art,” Siv’s mom said. “What a fabulous career.”
“Thank you.” Savannah pushed a blonde curl back and took a sip of her coffee. “I love it. And since my showing, I’ve been very busy.”
“That showing was where I first saw Siv.” Ryder smiled, toying with Siv’s hair. “It was love at first sight.”
Hunt and Cam snorted, and Savannah laughed, almost spilling her coffee.
Siv’s mom blinked. “What?”
“Ryder tried to charm your daughter,” Cam said. “Siv laid him out on the dance floor. Flat on his back.”
Her mom cupped a hand over her mouth, her eyes dancing.
Ryder sipped his juice. “Like I said, love at first sight.”
Suddenly, all the men’s cell phones chimed, and Siv’s as well.
They all frowned.
Savannah touched Hunt’s arm. “Is something wrong?”
Hunt looked at his phone. “Oh, hell.”
Siv read the words on her phone.
“Maggie’s having the baby,” Ryder said.
“That’s great,” Savannah said.
“Except it sounds like Ace is not coping,” Ryder said. “He’s in full-blown panic mode.”
Siv raised her brows. “The former Red Team hacker, who is as cool as ice providing comms for our missions?”
“I guess it’s different when your woman is having your baby,” Ryder said.
The men all stood. “They’re at Zuckerberg San Francisco General,” Hunt said. “That’s not far from here.”
Siv looked at her mom. “It looks like we need to postpone brunch.”
* * *
Siv dozed against Ryder’s shoulder, her feet in Cam’s lap.
“Want more coffee?” Ryder asked.
She opened her eyes. “What they serve here is not coffee.”
“Snob.”
The waiting room was still full of a good portion of the gang. Maggie’s parents and Ace’s parents sat chatting to each other. Mr. and Mrs. Norcross had come by for a bit, and the gang had filtered in and out over the last day. Siv’s mom was back at the apartment keeping Crank company.
Siv and Ryder had gone home to sleep and had come back this morning.
“God, I didn’t know having a baby took this long.” Siv felt vaguely horrified. “In the movies, they have a few contractions and the baby pops out.”
“You know better than to believe the movies,” Ryder said. “You want some?”
She blinked. “Kids?”
He nodded.
Siv shoved off the thought that poor Maggie had been in labor for over twenty-four hours. It was replaced with an image of a grinning, irreverent little boy with his father’s green eyes and smile.
“Yeah,” she whispered. “One day.”
Suddenly, the doors opened. The entire room jerked to attention.
An exhausted Ace appeared, holding a tiny bundle of yellow blankets. “Baby Isabel has arrived.” The new father’s smile was beaming. “And she’s perfect.”
“And Maggie?” Vander asked.
“Well, there was some cussing,” Ace said.
The crowd laughed.
“But she’s great. She was amazing.” Ace tilted his arms, showing off his dark-haired baby girl.
Everyone rushed forward, trying to get a look at the baby.
As they waited their turn, Siv saw Cam frowning. Ryder’s brother lifted his cell phone to his ear. “Saskia? Are you there?” Then he lowered it and shook his head.
Ryder raised a brow. “Saskia Hawke?”
Siv had heard Savannah mention her best friend in New York. Saskia was a ballet dancer.
She was also the sister of a very dangerous, well-connected man, Killian Hawke. He was the owner of Sentinel Security and had helped out Norcross Security when Savannah was in danger.
Cam shrugged. “We traded numbers when she was in San Francisco. She just called me, said my name, and then the call cut off.” He thumbed the screen and shook his head. “I tried to call her back, but it won’t connect.”
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Siv said. “Maybe Vander could contact Killian?”
Cam nodded, but his frown didn’t go away. “I’m going to take off. Tell Ace congrats from me. I’ll catch you guys later.”
Ace appeared with the baby.
“I want to hold her.” Ryder took the baby with practiced ease.
Holy hormones . There was something about a hot guy cradling a baby with his inked, muscular arm. Siv felt all kinds of butterflies take flight in her belly.
Ryder caught her gaze and winked.
Yes, this man made her happy. He’d be her rock, her support, her lover, her strength, hers . For always.
She leaned into him, one hand stroking the baby’s soft hair. One day, if they were blessed, he’d cradle their baby in his arms. And they’d love each other more every day.
Making a new start was the best thing she’d ever done.
No, letting Ryder Morgan charm his way into her heart was the best thing she’d ever done.
* * *
I hope you enjoyed Siv and Ryder’s story!