Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“Really?’ Lea asks, and Ben looks from her to Rhonda then back again.
“We couldn’t think of two better people,” he says softly.
“You’re gonna make me cry,” Lea complains, and I hear Rhonda’s laugh mix with Ben’s as he places Braden in Lea’s arms. Seeing her holding a child, even if it’s not ours, causes a pang to hit my chest so hard that I have a difficult time breathing.
“He’s so beautiful, so perfect,” she whispers, running her finger down his soft, chubby cheek.
“He is perfect, isn’t he?” Ben says with pride, running his finger over his other cheek. “We make cute kids, babe.” He tells Rhonda over his shoulder.
“I know.” Rhonda smiles, and Lea turns toward me. I take him from her, holding him high up on my chest. He’s so small that I could probably hold him in one hand. Lea’s hand on my arm pulls my eyes to her. Her face is softer than I have ever seen it, and there is a look in her eyes that shows how badly she wants this, a family of her own.
When her eyes finally land on mine, a small, sad smile pulls at her lips. I want to tell her that one day we will have this, but I don’t. Instead, I lean forward and kiss her softly then lean back to look down at Braden, who is asleep. His lips form into a pout, so I lean over, handing him to his mom before he has a chance to wake up and cry, then kiss her on the cheek, telling her softly, “You did good.”
She smiles and looks down into her arms then up at Ben. I know they both had no idea this would be their life. Ben had been easygoing with relationships, never settling down until Rhonda. She changed everything for him, the same way he did for her. I was happy for both of my friends; they deserved this moment.
“We should probably head out and let you guys get settled in,” I say, taking Lea from under Ben’s arm and wrapping mine around her.
“Do you need anything?” Lea asks, watching as Ben settles into the chair next to Rhonda’s bed.
“No, we’ve got everything. Thanks again, Lea, for getting her here for me.”
“It was either get her here or deliver the baby, and option two didn’t sound appealing to me,” she says, making us all laugh.
“We’ll stop by tomorrow,” I say as Lea walks over to kiss Rhonda’s cheek before coming to me and taking my hand. Once we’re out of the room, I wrap my arm around Lea’s shoulders and lead her out of the hospital to her car, since Ben drove his truck here.
“Let’s stop at your house so you can get some clothes for the night.”
She looks up at me and a blush touches her cheeks, making me wonder what she’s thinking. “I packed a bag. It’s in my trunk,” she says quietly, looking away from me.
“Why does that make you embarrassed?” I ask, touching her cheek.
“I didn’t want you to think I assumed I would be staying with you.”
“Whatever bed I’m in is the one I want you in,” I explain lightly.
“I just didn’t want to assume,” she mutters under her breath, pulling out her keys from her pocket.
“Assume away, Little Lamb,” I tell her, taking the keys from her hand and smacking her ass.
“I can drive.”
“I know you can, when I’m not in the car with you,” I remark.
“That’s ridiculous.” She frowns at me.
“Get in the car.”
“Or what?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest, glaring.
“Or I put you in.”
“That’s not gonna happen.” I say stopping at the passenger door and she moves around the front of the car to the driver’s side.
“Lea,” I warn over the roof of the car.
“Austin,” she mimics my tone.
“Get in the car.”
“Make me,” she says, and I start to head around the back of the car, but before I get to her, she takes off running through the parking lot.
“Lea, get in the car,” I shout after her as she dodges between parked cars.
“Let me drive,” she shouts back, moving back and forth from one side of a red Buick to another, like she’s trying to psych me out.
“When I get my hands on you, I’m spanking you for this,” I warn, watching as something works behind her eyes.
“You’re not.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll make you come after,” I tell her, and her eyes scan the parking lot, like she’s looking to see if anyone is around that could hear what I just said, giving me just enough time to catch her in my grasp before she can dodge me again. I pick her up over my shoulder as she kicks out then smack her on the ass one time, just hard enough to get her attention.