His phone is pressed to his ear, and he signals, the way he always has, to give him a minute.

“No, babe. I swear, I’m leaving as soon as Alex and I are done. Just keep everything… ready for me.”

Pause.

“Yes, I’ll bring your favorite sushi.”

Pause.

“I know salmon is full of omega-whatevers. Babe, I’m on it, all right?”

His jaw tics and he wears the strained look of a man clinging to his last thread of patience.

“Yeah, yeah, I know it’s the right time. The test said so.”

Kye’s gaze snaps to mine, amusement flickering in his eyes. “I’ll be there soon, all right? Just… light a candle or something.”

Pause.

A slow grin spreads across his face.

“Lucky me.”

I shake my head, smirking as I slide into the seat across from him. He hangs up and tosses his phone onto the table. “Marriage, mate. It’s a beautiful thing.”

I arch a brow, settling back in my chair. “Didn’t realize marriage came with sushi orders and omega-whatevers.”

Kye groans, rubbing a hand over his face. “It does when you’re trying to have a baby. Apparently, there’s a perfect time for everything, and my wife’s got it down to a science. Peeing on sticks, tracking charts, monitoring temps—you name it, she’s on it. And if I screw up the sushi order, I might as well not bother going home.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Never thought I’d see the day—Kye Bennelong, tied down and trading in late nights for early-morning feedings and nappies.”

“Oh, it’s happening, mate. Full speed ahead. My missus has me on a game plan tighter than pre-season training. But hey, at least the drills are fun.”

“The legendary Kye Bennelong––reduced to ovulation sticks and sushi deliveries. You are living the dream.”

Kye laughs, the deep sound filling the space between us. “Yeah well, I’m almost forty. It was a good run while it lasted.”

“A great run.”

His expression turns softer, more sincere. “Truth is I love it. Being a husband is great. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. Can’t wait to be a dad.”

Kye—one of the wildest blokes I’ve ever known—has slipped into marriage and family life like it’s the role he was born to play.

And me? My life has gone in the complete opposite direction.

I force a smile, reaching for the menu and flipping it open, hoping he doesn’t see the shadow that passes over my face. “If the agent thing doesn’t work out, at least you’ve got a promising future as an expert in fertility tracking.”

Kye chuckles. “That’s me, mate. A man of many talents.”

I nod, but my mind is elsewhere—drifting to everything that’s slipped away from me. But Kye has it figured out––a wife, a family in the making, a solid future.