Love Burnt Baby Stayed (by Nina R.Calder) novel Chapter 233

Chapter 233

‘Should I say something to cheer him up?‘ Briana wondered to herself.

While she was still thinking about what to say, Shepard spoke up first. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise I’ll pull it off.”

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He took her hand and tucked it into his pocket. “Whenever I see you, my mood instantly gets better, Briana. But if you don’t want to see me, what am I supposed to do? Why don’t you get used to having me around?”

As they left the maternity ward, Shepard was muttering to himself the whole way.

Briana kept her head down, struggling to hold back her laughter.

‘Shepard, like this, is pretty amusing, Briana thought to herself. She couldn’t resist messing with him.

He was nothing like the cold, aloof guy he used to be. He was like a lovestruck rookie, doing everything he could to win her

over.

His phone started ringing. Shepard glanced at the screen. It was Evelyn calling. He picked up right away. “Hey, Grandma.”

“Did you finish the prenatal checkup?” Evelyn asked. “Are Briana and the baby doing okay? Is there anything you need to watch out for?”

“Everything’s normal, Grandma,” Shepard replied.

“That’s it?” Evelyn pressed.

Shepard nodded. “Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you ask the doctor what Briana should be eating, or how to help with the baby’s development? Did you just stand there? What’s the point of you being there, then? Are you just her bodyguard or something?” Evelyn scolded.

Shepard’s lips parted, but he didn’t say anything. He couldn’t bring himself to admit he never even walked into the exam

room.

“I’ll do better next time,” he could only say. “I’m new to this, so I’ll have to learn as I go.”

Evelyn went on another rant. Shepard listened obediently, taking it all in.

Finally, Briana couldn’t take it anymore. She snatched the phone from Shepard and said sweetly, “Evelyn, don’t worry. The baby and I are both super healthy.

“I eat all those goodies you sent every day. The doctor said I’m in much better shape than before, so I need to keep doing what I’m doing.

“And don’t keep picking on Shepard. He’s actually doing pretty well. Guys are a little clueless sometimes, you know? Evelyn, make sure you take care of yourself, too. It’s getting chilly, so stay warm, okay?”

Shepard couldn’t take his eyes off her, barely even blinking. ‘She feally spoke up for me,‘ he thought, a little surprised. All his earlier frustration disappeared in an instant.

Evelyn was totally put at ease by Briana’s gentle reassurance.

After hanging up, Briana raised an eyebrow at him. “Why are you so tongue–tied? When Evelyn scolds you, don’t you ever speak up for yourself?”

“Having you to back me up is all I need,” Shepard replied.

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Chapter 233

“What if I’m not there to bail you out?” Briana teased.

Shepard shrugged. “Grandma never gives me a hard time about anything else. Only when it’s about you.”

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When it came to romance, Shepard was awkward and slow to catch on. But in everything else, he was a total ace.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I’m really happy, Briana.”

‘She’s standing up for me,‘ Shepard thought.

Briana’s ear felt ticklish from the soft brush of his breath.

She didn’t know why, but seeing Shepard standing there with his phone, looking so helpless, made her want to tease him

even more.

‘Am I getting all motherly now?‘ Briana wondered to herself. And honestly, she couldn’t help feeling possessive about Shepard.

She’d felt it ever since Camila showed up.

Shepard was Briana’s man, and that was that.

She could give him a hard time, criticize him, or even get mad at him if she wanted, but no way was anyone else. Whether he was good or bad, she was the only one who got to decide.

Briana had just managed to steady herself and was about to hand his phone back when another call came in.

She took a quick look at the screen. It cost so much to calm down. Her nerves were back in chaos. It was Camila calling.

Shepard saw the caller ID, frowned, and hit decline without hesitation.

“Go on, answer it,” Briana teased. “Why’d you hang up? Maybe she needs to talk to you about something important for work.”

“I-” Shepard had barely started when his phone rang again. It was Camila again.

This time, Briana didn’t hesitate. She picked up and put it on speaker.

“Mr. Carter, are you in the office?” Camila’s voice came through, strictly business. There was no hint of flirtation. “There’s a financial report that needs your review and signature.”

Shepard kept it professional. “I’m not.”

“When will you be back at the office? I can swing by five minutes early to get your signature,” Camila asked.

“Just give it to the secretary. They’ll make sure it gets to me,” Shepard replied.

Camila pressed, “Mr. Carter, this report is time–sensitive. I don’t think it can wait for the usual process. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have called you twice.”

Briana jumped in, “He’ll be at the office in half an hour.”

Camila paused, clearly surprised to hear Briana speaking. Her tone and speed instantly changed. She sounded much less

robotic now.

“Mrs. Carter, so you’re with Mr. Carter?” Camila said, her voice suddenly warmer and a bit teasing. “I was starting to wonder where our workaholic boss had vanished all morning.

“Looks like he’s been with you. Still, with the whole Carter Group relying on him, he really can’t skip work whenever he wants, you know.”

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Chapter 233

“He came with me for a prenatal checkup, that’s all. Don’t read too much into it,” Briana replied.

‘Please, Briana scoffed inwardly. ‘It’s not like Shepard and I have been lounging in bed all morning.’

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