Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“Hell yeah. I know you couldn’t say no to Jake. And he and I are a package deal.”
She slowly stands. “Sneaky.”
“I play to win.”
“And did you?” Her eyes glimmer with hope, and I see the most amazing future ahead of us in the reflection of her beautiful gaze.
“Yeah, babe. I won.”
Epilogue
Callie
Eighteen months later…
“I said no.”
“That means nothing to me.”
Easton rolls his eyes. “Clearly.”
“Just let me drive.” I toss my hands up, frustrated.
Easton huffs and says, “And again, I said no.”
It’s settled. He wants to die. “I swear to God, if you don’t let me drive, I’m going to throat—”
“Jesus, really, Cal? I’d like to see you try. You could barely walk ten feet to get to the snowmobile. Gonna bet my left nut you don’t have the energy to even lift your arm to swing.”
How dare he. Just because I’m breathing heavily doesn’t mean I don’t have the strength to pummel him. “The snow is very deep for the record.”
“Oh, that’s the problem?”
“Yeah, asshole. It’s thick snow.”
He shakes his head, not even flinching at the name-calling. Probably because he’s used to it by now. My hormones have given me a select vocabulary lately when I don’t get my way. He crosses his arms and waits. Ugh. . . I hate this part. “Sorry. You’re not an asshole. But just let me drive. I’ll go slow.”
“Babe, you never go slow. You think you’re some sort of speed racer. And do I need to remind you that you’re almost eight months pregnant?”
“So you’re saying I can’t drive because I’m fat?” My lower lip quivers.
“Here, we go.” He walks up to me, snaking his arm around my waist and tugging me into him. “You’re beautiful. And carrying the most precious gift inside you. And because of that, I don’t need you going off the hinges and taking the snowmobile out. If you want to go up to the cliff, we’ll take the ATV.”
My pout deepens. “Can I drive the ATV?” I wait, offering him my saddest eyes, until I watch him give in.
Sweet!
“I’m serious. If you go faster than fifteen miles—”
“Thirty—”
“Fifteen. And if you disobey me, I’ll bend you over and turn your ass into a cherry.”
Well, that wasn’t the right thing to say if he’s threatening not to do something. “Get that damn look off your face.”
“What? You threaten me with a good time, then expect me to listen? Wrong move, buddy.” He tugs me closer, his lips dipping to brush against mine.
“I’m not your buddy.”
“Pal?”
“Watch it, Cal.”
“Lover, playtoy, bedroom bestie—okay!” I squeal when he tickles my ribs. “Don’t. I’m going to pee myself.”
“Then say what I want to hear.”
“Fine. Husband.”
“Thank you, wife.” He sucks my bottom lip between his teeth. I can’t deny the rush I get every time he calls me ‘wife.’ How proud I am to call him my husband. Easton has always been wild. A take-what-he-wants kind of guy. It’s what drew me to him.
And eighteen months ago, he did exactly that. I didn’t need a big white wedding with everyone I’ve ever met watching us exchange vows. I just needed him. And maybe Tory. And Ashley. Well, okay, my parents came too. Oh, and Jake! We tied the knot at the courthouse and spent the entire night at Ray’s, celebrating the best day of our lives. The first day of our forever.
Life has a funny way of showing us what we can endure. Good and bad. There are lessons in pain and rewards in pleasure. A part of me will never recover from those years spent without Easton. But he made me his forever that day, and I know I’ll never endure that pain again. Eighteen months ago, he vowed his soul to me. Mine to him. And it’s been a crazy, wonderful, perfect ride since, even down to the unexpected surprise.
“Babe, you home?”
“Yep. In the kitchen.”
Easton walks in and slows, taking in the martini in front of me. “You know it’s only ten in the morning, right?”
“Sure do.”
He also notices it’s full. A martini untouched in my presence is a sure sign of trouble.
“Uh oh. What happened? Is it work?”
“Nope.”
“Then, what’s wrong? Thought you had an interview for a job this morning. Babe, we gotta be on the road to the cabin before the snow starts.”
“Yeah, already did the interview. Threw up mid-speech, and luckily, the guy offered to reschedule.”
His eyes widen. “You what? Thought you and Tory just watched movies last night.”
“We did.” I bite my bottom lip, fighting the tears.
“Then why the fuck do you look so upset with a martini in front of you at ten in the damn morning? Did something happen? Are you sick? Did you—”
“I’m pregnant.” There. I said it. Cat’s outta the bag. Shit, he doesn’t look good. “I know. I’m sorry. We had all these plans. I’ve been really good with my pills. How on earth did I mess it up and get—”