As soon as they got close enough for other students to notice them, the commotion and uproar began. It was a surreal experience, walking through the halls of their high school as a married couple. Every eye began to stare, and every head turned—he felt the scrutiny of hundreds of people at once like a weight pressing down on his shoulders. Whispers, gasps, and even a few cheers rang out. Kieran felt a blush creep up his neck and into his cheeks, but he held Katie’s hand tighter and didn’t let it show. He was determined not to let this bother him. As long as Katie was by his side, he didn’t feel the need to impress anyone. But as he and his new wife walked down the hallway together, shoulders back and heads held high. Kieran caught bits of what people were saying as they passed.

“Katie Petersen married at 18? With a baby on the way?”

“I just can’t believe it!”

“A girl like her, with a guy like him? Impossible!"

"I know, right? He’s, like, a nobody!”

“Why would she choose him?”

"He's not good enough for her!"

“Katie’s never even dated before! Now she’s pregnant?”

“How did this happen? When?”

“Must have been very recently. She doesn’t even have a baby bump yet, look!”

Katie squeezed his hand as they went to Kieran’s locker. “Don’t let them get to you, babe,” she whispered. “They’re just jealous--the guys are jealous of that I chose you to be mine, and the girls are jealous that I’ve got such a great guy and a ring on my finger.”

Kieran nodded, shaking a little, but drew strength from her words, her presence. As always, her nearness by his side gave him courage. He was about to reply, but when he turned back to his locker, he found himself suddenly surrounded by every single other member of Katie’s cheerleading squad. All of them were glaring at him in a manner that looked downright homicidal. The only thing way they could have looked more like an angry mob was if they were carrying torches and pitchforks.

“You!” a petite brunette named Amy said, stabbing a finger accusingly. “What the fuck have you done to our captain, you piece of human trash? How dare you lay hands on her?!”

Katie’s blue eyes flashed, but before she could say anything, the other girls joined in the haranguing.

“Bet you thought you were too good to use a condom, huh? Guys like you are the worst!”

“What did you do or say to get her to let you touch her like that? Did you force her?"

“Katie,” another girl said, clutching Katie's hands in her own and giving them a soft squeeze. “You don’t have to stay with him! You don’t have to do this! We can help you! There are resources available if you want to keep the baby, and we'll all give you our support if that's what you want to do. But please, don’t throw your life away for someone like him!”

Katie pulled her hands away. “Enough,” she said firmly, and all the other girls went instantly quiet. Katie went on.

“Kieran and I love each other, and we’re going to get married and have our baby," she said. "That’s all there is to it.”

Amy looked confused. "But Katie! He...he...”

“He didn’t do anything I didn’t ask him to,” Katie said. “Kieran didn’t seduce me--I seduced him. I’ve been wanting to have a baby for a long time, and I chose Kieran to be the father."

The girls stared at Katie in disbelief. “Is...you’ve really wanted a baby for that long?” Amy finally asked, shock on her face.

“Yes, I have,” Katie answered calmly, nodding. “And not only am I going to have one, I also get to have the best guy in the world as my husband in the bargain."

The girls' jaws fell to the floor all at once. Katie giggled. "You see," she said. "When I finally asked Kieran to give me the child I’ve always wanted, he actually refused."

Amy folded her arms. "A guy willingly turning down sex with you? Yeah, right."

"It's true," Katie insisted. "And that's just more proof that he's one-of-a-kind. He said that he couldn’t bear the thought of not being there for any child he helped bring into the world, and said that the only way he’d do that was to put a ring on my finger first. I was more than happy to accept his terms because after doing some soul-searching, I realized that I’d begun to fall in love with him. Do you get it now? He didn’t take me to bed--I took him to bed. My dad didn’t force him to marry me with the end of a shotgun. Kieran volunteered." Then, in a softer tone, she added, "I know it seems rushed, but we really do love each other. I can’t imagine anyone but Kieran at my side.”

Kieran turned red at her praise and tried to hide it by rummaging through his locker. Meanwhile, Amy and the other girls were speechless with shock.

“Well,” Amy said after a long moment of awkward silence had passed. She was clearly still upset but unable to think of anything else to say. “If...if you’re sure, Katie, then...then we’re happy for you.” She pointed at Kieran again. “But if you ever make her cry, we’ll cut your dick off and stuff it down your throat."

Kieran gulped. The other girls nodded in agreement, promising all manner of grisly and agonizing deaths as they began to disperse.

Kieran watched them go. Relief flooded through him.

“They’ll come around,” Katie said quietly. “They all will. You’ll see. You--”

“Oh, my God!” The delighted, ear-piercing squeal of Hannah Mayes cut her off and Katie’s best friend all but threw herself at her. “Congratulations! You sneaky little...how long did you have this whole thing planned? I’m so happy for you!” She turned to Kieran. “And this must be the famous Kieran Callaway, the one who stole the town princess’s heart! You lucky dog!”

Kieran blushed again and managed a sheepish grin. “Er...Yeah, that’s me.”

Hannah turned back to Katie. “You’re going to invite me to the wedding, right? There’s going to be a wedding, right? Pleeeease let me be your maid of honor!”

“As if I’d choose anyone else!” Katie laughed. “My mom and I are already making the plans. Kieran’s helping too. It’ll probably be in about three months—I want to be sure I can still fit into a wedding dress!”

“Honestly, you go girl!” Hannah gushed. “I think it’s really brave of you, taking charge of your life like this and taking such a bold step. If you find love, seize it and never let it go, I say.” Her grin turned sly. “So, is he good in bed?”

Kieran’s jaw dropped with mortification, but Katie’s face split into a smirk. “Oh, yes,” she purred. “Yes, he is.”

“I am right here,” Kieran muttered.

Hannah gave him a tight hug, then hugged Katie again. “I’m so happy for both of you, I truly am. I can’t wait to see what the baby looks like! Oh, you two!”

She hugged Katie one last time before reluctantly heading down the hall. Katie watched her go. “I’ve got to get to class too,” she said regretfully. “I wish we had all our classes together.” She looked up at him. “Will you be ok? I’ll text you and stuff and we’ll eat lunch together, and I’ll be right outside when school ends.”

Kieran tried to look brave. “I...I think I’ll be fine. Even if everyone is staring at me or something. Like you said, it doesn’t matter what they think. It just matters if we’re happy.”

She smiled and cupped his cheek with her hand. Kieran had to fight not to sigh with pleasure. It felt so good when she touched him. “I’ll see you later, then,” she said softly. “I love you.”

He kissed her quickly before she could change her mind. “I love you too, Katie. I’ll see you at lunch.”

A few minutes later, Kieran sat down at his desk in homeroom. As soon as he walked in, all conversation ceased. He could feel the weight of every eye on him, but he took a deep breath and forced himself to remain calm.

“You really locked down Katie Petersen?” one of his male classmates asked. “Fucking nice, man.”

“How the hell did you do it?” another asked. “Everyone thought she was unattainable! She’s never even been on a date!”

Kieran shrugged. “Honestly…she chose me. Not the other way around. I still sometimes wonder why, but…I’m happy.”

“It’s not fucking fair,” another guy grumbled. “She’s too good for you.”

Kieran couldn’t help feeling just a little smug. “She doesn’t seem to think so.”

“You’re not at all scared of being a dad?”

Kieran chuckled. “A little, I guess. But Katie is like the Wikipedia of everything having to do with babies. You’d be shocked at just how long she’s been preparing for this. I’m happy to let her take the lead and be as supportive as I can.”

The teacher came into the room then. “Alright, settle down, everyone. Let’s get started.” She paused. “I suppose congratulations are in order, Mr. Callaway. I personally think you’re awfully young for such a serious commitment, but I hope your marriage is a happy one. Just don’t expect special treatment: you are still a student, and you are expected to maintain your grades as well as your behavior. Now, open your textbooks to chapter seven, and let’s begin.”

Katie, meanwhile, wished she had a stick to fend off all the questioners with. Every girl in her class crowded around her, peppering her with more questions.

“Aren’t you at least a little nervous?” one girl asked. “You’ve never even had a steady boyfriend before, everybody knows that. To go from not even having kissed a guy to being married…”

Katie smiled. “I know it’ll be an adjustment, but Kieran is my soul mate, I truly believe that. Like I told the girls on my cheer squad, I didn’t plan on getting married at first—I just wanted a baby, to be a mother.”

“That’s cold,” someone else pointed out.

Katie nodded. “Yes. I never planned on hiding that from Kieran—I was very upfront when I told him what I wanted—but I was selfish not to consider his feelings. I still feel bad about it.”

“Is that what he told you?”

“Yes. And he was right. Guys are people too, and I should have known the baby would be just as much his as mine. I was completely wrong to think Kieran was the kind of guy who’d just get me pregnant and walk away. His heart is way too big for that. He said he wasn’t into casual sex, and that he’d only get a girl pregnant if it was a girl who loved him, someone whose finger he put a ring on. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had developed feelings for him as we got to know each other. I imagined my life without him and couldn’t bear the idea. So I accepted his terms, and I’m so glad I did! Kieran is so sweet and thoughtful, and supportive, I couldn’t ask for a better husband or partner in this. I love him so much,h and I’m honored to be with him. I’ll never, ever take him for granted, not ever.” Her grin grew even more joyful. “And as for the baby, I can’t wait to be a mommy to our little one. It’s going to be an adventure, but I know we’ll make a great team.. We’ll have the cutest, smartest, happiest baby ever, and shower it with love. ”

“But why have a baby so quickly?” a girl named Juno asked. “You’re only 18, you’ve got plenty of time. You didn’t want Kieran to yourself for a year or two?”

Katie shook her head. “Nope. I wanted to start on my first kid the minute I turned 18 this year. I spent six whole years getting ready and didn’t want to waste another second. I’ve got everything planned out: I’ve already scheduled all the doctor’s appointments, and we’re going to go shopping for baby supplies soon. I’ve already signed the lease on a place for Kieran and me to raise our child in, and I started taking neo-natal vitamins weeks ago. I know how to nurse my baby, change its diapers, burp it, feed it…you name it, I’ve studied it.”

The other girls stared. “Jesus, you’ve got a serious case of baby rabies,” Juno laughed nervously.

Katie grinned. She hadn’t meant to freak them out, but she couldn’t help it. She was going to be a mother, and she couldn’t wait. “Yup! And I’m not ashamed of it either. Being a mom is going to be the most amazing, rewarding, and challenging job in the world, and I can’t wait to dive right in. I can’t wait to see what kind of person our child turns out to be, what their passions and likes, and dislikes will be. I’m just so excited for the future, and I’m so happy that Kieran is a part of it. He’s my partner in every sense of the word, and I wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world.” She giggled. “So bring on the baby rabies! I’ll take it any day of the week.”

The other girls exchanged glances, clearly not quite sure what to make of Katie’s enthusiasm. But they couldn’t deny that there was something infectious about it, something that made them feel a little more hopeful about their futures. Even Juno, who had been the most skeptical, found herself smiling a little wider as they continued to talk.

“How’d your parents react?”

“My dad went ballistic,” Katie said bluntly. “But I was able to talk him down. Eventually, he said he’d give Kieran a chance, and that’s all I need. My mom was also shocked, but was a little more open-minded about it. I think telling them that Kieran chose to be involved with our child helped a lot to win them over.”

The other girls listened with rapt attention, clearly fascinated by Katie’s story. They were used to hearing about teen pregnancies ending in heartache and disappointment, but Katie’s story seemed more like a fairy tale. It almost sounded too good to be true.

“Kieran must be a rare kind of guy to take on so much responsibility willingly,” a blonde girl said. “Guys like that are not common these days. I wish I had a boyfriend like that.”

“God, yes,” another girl agreed. “You bagged a good one, Katie. Take really good care of him.”

“Absolutely.” Passion crept into Katie’s voice. “I think that’s what true love is all about: finding someone who loves you and then holding onto them for dear life. Kieran is that person for me. And that’s why I’m going to be, like, a super-wife. I’m going to learn how to cook so I can make him delicious home-cooked meals every night, and I’m going to learn how to sew so I can mend his clothes and make him scarves and things like that. I’m also going to learn more about cars, so I can help him at his work if I need to, and I’m also going to plant a garden and grow things like vegetables and stuff so I can feed him the freshest, healthiest food possible." Her smile turned wicked. "Oh, and sex. I’m going to get really good at sex. I’m going to give the most mind-blowing blowjobs and find new ways to please him every night. Hell, I flat-out told him that he can fuck me, day or night, whenever he wants to. My body is his to enjoy, and anytime he wants me, he can have me. Being able to rock his world is just so incredibly satisfying. I may even start wearing skirts with no panties just to make it easier for him to take me.”

The girls gasped. “K-Katie!” Juno spluttered.

“What? We’re married. Sex is a part of marriage. And it’s not like I’m a virgin anymore. Kieran and I both helped see to that. Honestly, I think my sex drive might be even bigger than his. We did it, like, four times just yesterday. The way he touches me, the pleasure he gives me when I’m in his arms…you have no idea what it’s like, knowing your man truly cherishes you. Sex is amazing! I can’t get enough of what Kieran does to me.”

“I wonder if any of us will find someone like that,” Juno said wistfully.

Katie smiled warmly at her. “You will, Juno. You’re a beautiful girl, inside and out. You just need to be patient and keep your eyes open. When the right person comes along, you’ll know it. And if he’s anything like Kieran, you won’t be able to help but fall in love with him too.”

“How will you guys make ends meet?”

“I’ve got lots of savings, plus my trust fund and a job lined up after graduation,” Katie said. “Plus—and I will never stop bragging about this—Kieran is going to take over his family’s auto shop. My husband will own his own business!” Pride rang in her tone like a bell.

The other girls exchanged looks of envy and even a little awe. Katie was the first girl in their senior class to have it all figured out: a loving husband, a comfortable life, and a baby on the way. As ever, Katie was the girl they all wished they could be.

“Are you hoping for a girl or a boy?” A girl with pigtails asked.

“A boy,” Katie said instantly. “I’ll love my baby no matter what, but I’m hoping for a little boy, a rambunctious boy with tons of energy! I can already picture him running around chasing butterflies in the yard or playing with toy cars on the kitchen floor. Of course, I’d be more than happy to have a little girl, too. But if I’m being honest, I’ve always had this feeling inside that I’m meant to have a boy, at least for my first child.”

“You’re an idiot.” A cutting voice made everyone’s heads turn. Ginny Waters was the school bitch and resident snob, and she was sneering at Katie now. Instantly, Katie’s hackles rose. She and Ginny had had run-ins before; Ginny was, she suspected, quite jealous of her, even though Ginny herself was no slouch in the looks department. Ginny's bitterness and hateful attitude toward Katie and the world at large was mostly due to her belief that she'd been denied the station of wealth, status, power, and influence that she deserved. In Katie, Ginny saw everything she craved but could never have.

And Ginny despised her for it. She despised the world at large, but her loathing of Katie Petersen had a special place in her black, shriveled heart. So, of course, Ginny would say something like that. Of course, she'd take it upon herself to rain on Katie's parade.

“Come again?” Katie asked, forcing her voice to calm.

Ginny rolled her eyes. “You’re kidding yourself, about Kieran and your son, assuming you’re unlucky enough to have one. Kieran doesn’t care about you—he’s just doing this because he wants you to suck and fuck him on demand. I bet he doesn’t give a rat’s ass—like all men, the only thing that matters to him is getting off as much as possible. He doesn’t care about you! He never has and he never will. Honestly, if you do have a boy the best thing would be to abort it, rather than bring another potential rapist into the world, and milk Kieran for all he’s worth in alimony.”

Fury erupted in Katie’s breast like a supernova. She felt the heat of her rage spread through her body, from her toes to the tips of her hair. Her hands clenched into fists, and for a moment, she thought she might fly across the room and strangle Ginny. She opened her mouth to respond, to tear into Ginny with every bit of venom and fury she felt, but nothing came out. Her words stuck in her throat, caught in a knot of shock and disbelief.

“How dare you?” she finally asked, in a strained, soft, jagged voice. “How dare you talk about my husband that way?”

Ginny laughed, a cruel, ugly sound. “What, you think he’s some kind of saint? He’s just another guy, Katie. All that sweetness you’ve seen from him it’s just for show! An act! He’s been playing you this whole time. You’re just too dumb to see it.”

Katie clenched her hands even more tightly. “You don’t know anything about Kieran!” she snarled. “You don’t know the first thing about love! I know what sort of man he is, and I know what he feels for me! You’re just jealous because you’ve never had anything like it and you know you never will, you pathetic little bitch! You’re just trying to drive a wedge between us to make yourself feel better about how empty and sad your own life is! You’re so bitter and spiteful, you can’t stand to see anyone happy!”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, Katie. How can you be so naive? Men are animals, subhuman. They walk like us and talk like us, but deep down they’re nothing but beasts—slavering beasts who just want to stick their dicks into anything that moves. And Kieran, he’s no different. He’s just using you for your body, nothing more. And once he’s done with you, once he’s had his fun and grown tired of indulging your little suburban housewife fantasy, he’ll toss you aside like an old rag doll and find himself another piece of ass.”

Juno stared. So did everyone else. The depth of Ginny’s misandry was horrifying. “You know,” Juno finally said. “I’m all for women’s equality and stuff, but wow. You’re doing men a disservice, Ginny. Jesus.”

One of the other girls nodded. “My older sister’s boyfriend is, like, the sweetest guy ever. He listens to her and supports her. He treats her like a person, not just a sex object. She’s always really happy when she’s with him, and Katie seems the same way with Kieran. What you're doing right now is no better than guys writing off all women for being, I don't know, gold-diggers or something. It’s completely crazy!”

The support of her classmates filled Katie with a newfound strength, and she was suddenly able to look Ginny in the eye. Her voice, surprisingly steady now, cut through the tension like a knife.

“I pity you, Ginny. I truly do. You are poisoned with bitterness, and it’s eating away at you. You can’t see anything good in anyone because you’ve given up on finding any happiness for yourself. And so you will never know the kind of happiness that only true love can bring. For that, I'm truly sorry for you, because you’re missing out on something wonderful. But I won’t let you drag me down to your level. I won’t let you make me doubt Kieran or the love we share. Because I know the truth. I know who he is, and I choose him. If you can’t see that, it’s your problem. Not mine.”

She turned away, dismissing her completely. Rage still burned in her heart, but it was tempered now, like steel that had been forged in the heat of a blazing fire. Ginny might not understand, but Katie knew the truth. And she would not let anyone take that away from her.

That was when the science teacher, Mr. Giles, came into the room. “I apologize for my lateness,” he said. “Now, I had a lesson plan before coming here today, as our lesson will cover the finer points of human reproductive systems and the initial stages of conception. But instead, I would like to ask Ms. Petersen—“

“Callaway," Katie corrected him. “I’m Mrs. Callaway now.”

“Our course. Mrs. Callaway, would you be willing to use your own recent experience to supplement this lesson? If you’re comfortable with it, of course.”

“Absolutely!” Katie said and hurried to the front of the room to join him.”

“Now, how far along are you, exactly?”

“About four weeks.”

“Ah. Interesting. Class, at this early stage, the fertilized human embryo is little more than a tiny cluster of cells, known as a blastocyst. It is at this stage of development that implantation occurs when the embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. This is a crucial stage in the process, as it allows the embryo to continue developing and eventually form a fetus. The blastocyst is about the size of a pinhead, and it’s incredible how such a tiny thing can contain all the information needed to create a whole new person. When it attaches to the uterine wall, Katie may feel the exact moment it happens, usually as a light cramping sensation or some spotting.”

“What about morning sickness?” Juno asked.

Katie smiled. “Morning sickness is something that can happen at any time of the day, not just in the morning. But it’s so early in my pregnancy that I haven’t had it yet.”

“Indeed,” Giles said. “Now, while the blastocyst is developing, it is essential that the mother-to-be take care of herself. This includes maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco. Even over-the-counter medications should be used with caution, as some of their ingredients can be harmful to a developing fetus. It’s important to remember that, during this time, the embryo is incredibly fragile and sensitive to its environment. Every decision the mother makes can have a profound impact on the health and well-being of her child. Katie, you’ve been doing all these things, correct?”

“Yes, Mr. Giles. I’ve been taking my prenatal vitamins, eating healthy foods, and avoiding anything that could potentially harm the baby. My husband is helping me too.”

“Excellent. Now, as Katie’s child takes form, it will begin to develop distinct organs and systems. The heart will be the first to form, followed by the brain and other vital organs. As the baby becomes more developed, Katie will experience symptoms like increased fatigue, weight gain, and the need to urinate more frequently.”

“What about food cravings?” A young man asked. “Or is that just a stereotype?”

Katie chuckled. “It’s not just a stereotype. A lot of women do experience food cravings during pregnancy. I’m not sure what mine will be, but I suspect it’ll be junk food of some kind.”

“What could cause a miscarriage?” Juno asked.

Katie’s blood ran cold at the mere word. Giles answered. “Miscarriage can be caused by a variety of factors, most of which are beyond the control of the expectant mother. These include genetic abnormalities in the embryo itself, hormonal imbalances, problems with the mother’s uterus, or even trauma to the abdomen. However, it’s important to remember that miscarriages are the exception, not the norm. Most women who become pregnant go on to have healthy babies with no problems, and Katie is young and in excellent health. She is in, to put it bluntly, her peak years for having children, so the odds are overwhelmingly in her favor. Neither she nor any of us should worry unduly. It’s natural to be cautious and avoid risks, but it’s also important to enjoy this time and cherish the miracle of life growing within her. I am confident she and the baby will be just fine.”

Katie took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Just the thought of losing her baby was terrifying. She couldn’t imagine going through a miscarriage. She knew that Giles was right and that she shouldn’t worry too much, but it was hard not to. Still, her unshakable confidence didn’t waver, and she told herself firmly that her baby would be delivered safely. She refused to give in to needless worry.

Mr. Giles ended the lesson with a warning. “Remember: a child is a huge responsibility, one that never really ends. While Katie is something of a special case, I encourage you all to use protection if you decide to engage in sexual activity. Do not burden yourselves or your significant other with a baby you are not prepared to raise.”

Katie nodded. “I spent years preparing. It’s a life-changing decision and not one to be taken lightly. You owe it to yourself, your partner, and your baby to be sure that you can provide a stable and loving environment before you bring a child into the world. But for me, I knew I was ready. And now, to finally be here, to feel this little life growing inside of me... It’s an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to meet my baby and watch them grow up into the amazing person I know they’re going to be.”

The rest of the class was respectfully silent, each student lost in their thoughts about their own lives and futures. Some looked nervous, some excited, and some simply resigned to their fate. As the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, Katie felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. She stood up, stretched, and made her way out of the room. She wanted to see Kieran before her next class.

She found him by his locker, as they both agreed. Katie matched right up to him and pulled him into a kiss so passionate it looked like she was trying to inhale him.

Kieran was caught off guard by the suddenness of the kiss, but he quickly recovered and deepened it. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Their bodies pressed together, and Katie felt a wave of desire surge through her. She could feel his erection against her, and it made her want him even more.

“I missed you,” she purred.

Kieran smiled against her lips. “I missed you too, Katie. Are you holding up okay? Is anyone else giving you a hard time?”

“Ginny was being a bitch,” Katie replied. “But don’t worry. I did not strangle her when she started bad-mouthing you.”

“Your self-restraint is an inspiration,” Kieran said drily.

“Has anyone given you a hard time?” Katie asked him.

Kieran shrugged. “Not too bad. Honesty, a lot of guys looked ready to pin a medal on me.” He winked. “Apparently you were considered unobtainable by the male half of the student body.”

Katie snorted and rolled her eyes. “Men.”

They stood there for a moment, locked in a comfortable silence. Katie could feel the warmth of his body against hers and the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She wanted to stay like this forever, just holding him and feeling his presence. But they both had classes to get to.

“I’ll see you at lunch,” Katie promised.

Kieran nodded. “I’ll be counting down the minutes.”

The rest of the morning passed by quickly for Katie, as she managed to focus on her classes despite the occasional distraction. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment and anticipation as she counted down the minutes until lunchtime. Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the last class of the day. Katie practically sprinted to the cafeteria, eager to reunite with Kieran.

She found him already waiting for her at a table, his eyes scanning the crowd as he searched for her. The second their gazes locked, Kieran’s face lit up with a smile that sent a shiver down her spine. She hurried over to him. “I’m starving! What’s for lunch today?”

“Spaghetti. Want me to get in line and get you some?”

“Hell yeah.” Katie nodded. “Make sure you get way too much.”

They ate in companionable silence, savoring every bite. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente, swimming in a rich marinara sauce. The garlic bread was warm and crusty, and the salad was a welcome addition to freshness. Katie found herself studying Kieran as he ate, taking in the way his jaw moved as he chewed and the way his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. It was such a small, intimate detail, but it made her feel a rush of affection for him.

When they finished eating, Kieran took the tray and tossed it into the garbage can. Katie stood and kissed him lewdly, aware that everyone was watching and not caring one bit. She pressed herself against him and her hand strayed to his belt, brushing it lightly just above his groin in a suggestive gesture.

“Only a few more hours, then we can spend the whole evening together, and every evening after that,” she said. Her impossibly blue eyes looked up at him. “I can’t wait.”

Kieran felt his cock twitch in anticipation. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”