Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“Who’s texting you?”
“It’s Phina.”
My eyes widened. Someone was going to have to break the news to Hale’s sister.
The movie started, and Hale lowered the lights. The sexual tension completely distracted me. I kept watching to see if Xander looked at Tyler. Then Tyler would look at me as if I was doing something wrong. At this pace, he was never going to get the guy.
I decided to meddle. Stretching my arms over my head, I yawned loudly. “Wow, I’m exhausted.”
Xander looked at me, and Tyler glared. Hale fixed the blanket and pulled me closer to make me more comfortable. I waited about thirty minutes—just enough time to get the boys thoroughly invested in the movie plot—then I announced I was going to bed.
My plan went swimmingly. Tyler was staying the night, so there was no reason for Xander to leave before the movie was over. Hale was following me to bed, and I purposefully dimmed the lamps on our way up the steps.
The following morning, Tyler’s room was empty the next morning, and there was no sign of him or Xander. I had s
amed when I found Tyler making coffee in yesterday’s clothes! “Sooooo?” I sidled up to him with my empty mug as we watched Hale’s fancy machine percolate.
“I need coffee first.” He smelled like Xander.
“Oh my God, the suspense is killing me, Ty! I need details. Did you sleep with him? Was it good? Are you pregnant?”
He ignored me and stared at the kettle as the coffee slowly dripped. I tapped my foot, impatiently waiting. The second it finished brewing, I yanked the pot free and filled his mug.
“There. Talk.”
He poured in some cream and slowly stirred, hiding a smirk as he brought the cup to his mouth at a glacial pace and sipped. “Mmm. Coffee’s good.”
“I will burn you.”
“Fine.” He set down his cup and sighed. “It was incredible.”
“Did you have the sex?”
“It was better than sex. We stayed up all night talking and drinking wine.” He laughed. “I think I’m still drunk.”
“You just…talked?”
“Well, we did other stuff, but we mostly talked. He’s a fascinating guy, Ray. And he’s cool with taking things slow.” Tyler blushed and dropped his gaze to blow into his coffee.
My eyes narrowed. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.”
That was clearly a lie. “Did you give him a handy?”
“No.” But the flush on his cheeks said otherwise.
“Ah-ha! You got one, though, didn’t you?”
“Fine. Yes. But could you not make a thing of it? He’s coming here to take me to breakfast in an hour.”
I melted. “You guys are going on a date.”
“It’s just breakfast,” he said, his tone the complete opposite of my swoony one. “You and Hale and Elara can come.”
“No, I don’t want to intrude. Besides, we have the family photo shoot later today.”
“Cute.”
“I know. We’re adorable.” I set my mug in the sink because I wasn’t supposed to drink caffeine anyway. “You’re still able to photograph us, right.”
“Of course.”
“Okay, then I need to shower. Hale’s mom said she’d do my hair and makeup. But you two have fun, and I’ll get all the details when you come back.”
“Ray,” he called, before I left kitchen.
I paused and looked back, but he didn’t say anything. We both smiled, and I read the joy in his eyes. “I know, Ty. I know.”
He bit his lip, looking happier than I’d seen him in long time. “Yeah. Okay, go get ready for your pictures.”
I wasn’t thrilled about my clothing options so I asked Seraphina to come over and help me put something together for the shoot that afternoon.
“I really should design a maternity line,” she commented, also frustrated with my options.
“I don’t think that’s the solution. I’m only pregnant for a few more months.”
“You might have other kids.” She flipped through my closet. “Or I might have one.”
I stilled. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Things can move fast when you find the right guy. You know how it goes. You and Hale got married in a New York Minute.”
Was she implying that Xander might be the right guy? Because he wasn’t. But I wasn’t going to be the one to break that news to Seraphina.
Elara and Hale were picture perfect by the time Tyler returned from breakfast. I, on the other hand, looked bloated and puffy and tired.
“You look great,” Ty argued. “Naomi did an amazing job with your hair and makeup.
“I’ll just hold Elara to hide my clothes.”
“Isn’t the whole point to show off the baby bump?”
“Who knows what the point is with these things? Like we’re ever just wandering through an autumn field dressed in our Sunday best.”
“Would you be in a better mood if I gave you my leftovers from breakfast?”
“Maybe. What’d you have?”
“French toast—”
“Ooh, yes, please!” I took the box from him.
“Don’t get it on your clothes or mess up your lipstick!”