Page 7 of Finding You
“Tell me about the twins,” he said. “I have so many questions, and I don’t know where to start, but how old are they?”
“They just turned three months,” she said, and reclaimed her seat on the sofa, and he sat next to her.
“So considering how quickly Andrew came into the world, it sounds like he’s a bit impatient,” Zion said, hoping to lighten the tension in the room.
Raven released a quiet snort. “Impatient is an understatement. They are both good babies, but with Drew, when he’s hungry, he wants to eat immediately. Otherwise, folks will hear his roar miles away. NayNay is a little more chill. She’s such a sweetheart, and when she bats those beautiful eyes at you—”
“Yeah, I’ve seen the look, and she’s not going to have any trouble wrapping folks around her baby finger. She’s beautiful… like her mother. The moment I stared into those gorgeous eyes, I was hooked,” Zion said honestly, his gaze steady on Raven while she stared down at her white Chucks.
Memories of the very first time he’d laid eyes on Raven came rushing back. She had the most alluring eyes he’d ever seen. Though Zanaya’s were similar, Raven’s eyes were uniquely hers.
Zion touched her arm, and she slowly lifted her head and met his gaze.
“I’m really sorry about the last ten minutes. It really is good to see you. Can we start again?” he asked, his hand extended to her. “Hi, I’m Zion Andrew Priestly, and I live in Chicago. I’m a thirty-year-old police officer, who before that served eight years in the Marines. And you are?”
A smile played around her tempting lips as she put her small hand into his and shook. “Raven Shepherd. I’m thirty-five years old and live in Houston. I’m a virtual assistant with clients all over the country, and I like tacos, dark chocolate, and quiet evenings at home.”
Out of all she’d just said, what stood out the most was that she was five years older than him. Cool. He had always been attracted to and preferred older women.
When Raven yawned, he figured they could pick up the conversation tomorrow. Yet now that they were talking civilized, he didn’t want to let her go. He still had so many questions, but they’d have to wait. Then again, he could always grill his mother because, if Virginia Priestly was anything, she was nosy. There was no doubt that she probably knew everything about Raven Shepherd.
Chapter Four
Zion remained in the library long after Raven went upstairs to the babies, his mind unable to settle on one thought. What had started as a typical day had turned into one of the strangest nights filled with one too many surprises.
A dad.
He might actually have kids, and he wasn’t sure what to do with that knowledge. He had already texted a friend who’d help get them in for a paternity test appointment first thing in the morning. Raven had agreed she and the babies would meet him there, and he was sure that she wanted this part over with as fast as he did. Considering how adamant she was regarding him being the father, uncertainty had settled in his mind.
What the hell was he going to do with two babies? They might’ve been the cutest kids he’d ever laid eyes on, but it still didn’t seem real that they could be his. Sure, he had planned to one day get married and start a family, but that wasn’t on his current agenda for his life. As a matter of fact, it barely showed up on his ten-year plan. Yet here he was with the possibility that his life plan had just been shot to hell.
He stood and headed for the kitchen, determined to give his brain a break for a few minutes. He was starving, but he wasn’t sure if he could eat, his stomach a bit unsettled. Thankfully, as he went through the lower level of the B & B, he didn’t encounter any guests. The place wasn’t at capacity this week, but that would change next month with spring break. Though things around the bed and breakfast slowed down during the winter, it was a popular destination place during April through December. With tons of return guests, there were rarely any vacancies.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my baby brother,” Dorian said, a wicked gleam in her eyes.
Her long braids were gathered in a high ponytail on top of her head, which brought attention to her flawless, makeup-free chestnut skin. His gaze took in one of her trendy aprons that she loved which read,Queen of not just the kitchen but of everything.
“Or should I call you Raven’s babies’ daddy?” She smirked.
A low growl started from the pit of his stomach, and Zion suddenly wanted to put his sister in one of his famous headlocks. Something he often did to her and their sister Nyla. Mainly because the three of them were closest in age, and they were both petite. He and Dorian were two years apart while Nyla was four years older than him. He might’ve been the baby in the family, but he was taller and outweighed his four sisters.
“Don’t start,” Zion said and looked into the refrigerator for a covered dish that had his name on it. Instead, there were several with his name, and he pulled them out. When he turned, Dorian had a shopping bag waiting for him.
Dorian currently was the only one of the siblings who worked at the B & B. Her background was in marketing, but she’d left that career to help out their parents and would probably one day take over the business.
“I want details,” she whispered as she helped put the food in the bag. “Is it possible that those cutie-pies are yours?”
Zion nodded reluctantly. “Once I know for sure, I’ll fill you in.”
She frowned at him. “Come on, Zee. Tell me what happened. Did you know she was coming here?”
“No, and she had no idea I lived in Chicago. It’s a long story, Dee, and I’m too tired to go into it.” He wrapped an arm around her, then placed a kiss against her temple. “By the way, Lynix asked about you. I think he said something about being madly in love with you,” he lied, then grinned.
Now she was the one growling. He had only said that last part to get a rise out of her and to get her off his back. She might’ve been fighting her attraction to Lynix, but Zion wasn’t blind. He’d seen the way the two of them looked at each other whenever they were in the same room. Yet, he hoped like hell nothing would ever become of them. He loved them both, and if the two of them got together and things didn’t work out, he didn’t want to be in the middle of it. He didn’t want to see either of them hurt, but more than that, it would be too weird to see Lynix hooked up with Dorian.
He cringed at the thought.
Nope. Not going to let that happen.
