Penelope

Jake's knee won't stop bouncing up and down.

I rest my hand on it, and he stills, directing his gaze to me.

"Calm down, Jake," I say. "We're seniors when it comes to meetings. We've got this."

Jake's knee doesn't stop moving. He also directs his gaze back to the window. Through the window, the ocean is rough and vast. Large waves crash against the rocky shore. Gulls are squawking as they glide with the wind. Today's weather is rainy and aggressive, and there have been several cracks of thunder over the past few hours. Even so, I don't think the storm has hit yet.

And if one's not bound to occur outside, one will occur in this boardroom. I can feel the tension radiating from Jake. See it in the firm set of his lips and the greenish tinge to his face. He also won't stop checking his phone.

Plucking the phone from Jake's hand, I turn to face him. "Jake. Take a deep breath."

He doesn't listen. Instead, he picks up his travel mug. It's filled with his seventh cup of coffee.

I wrestle that away from him, too. I set the coffee down on the table. "Jake, I'm serious."

His worried gaze meets mine as he leans forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. After dropping his face into his hands, he heaves a deep breath and tugs at his hair. "I'm worried, Penelope. Being here makes me a terrible husband. Gemma is ready to pop at any second."

Although laughing isn't the best response, I can't prevent myself from laughing. "First, women don't 'pop,' Jake. There is an entire birthing process. Second, Gemma's a big girl. She can handle this, and I know you won't miss the birth. Why? Because Cassian is there. Should anything happen, you're the first person he will contact." I give Jake's hand a squeeze. "Finally..."

I trail off.

"Yeah?" Jakes presses. He sits up and stretches out his anxious muscles. 

I pat his knee. "My train of thought has short-circuited. Ask me again later."

Jake snorts, looping an arm around my shoulders. "Thanks, Penelope."

"Anything for family," I smile. "Are you ready for the meeting?"

He expels another deep breath. "We're gonna knock this out of the fucking park." 

I nod. "Yes, we are. And although you are so deeply about Gemma and Callan, you need to focus on the meeting. Cassian will take care of Gemma, and you'll be the first person he calls if her water should break."

Some of the tension eases from Jake's shoulders, but not enough to curb the inevitable storm. Something tells me I'll be presenting this meeting on my own by the end of it.