Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
She glanced up at him, her wide green eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Well, that was mortifying.” Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
“Their loss, baby. That was horrible but it’s on them.” And if he got ahold of them, he’d be only too happy to tell them all the wonderful things about their daughter they were too self-absorbed to notice. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “Not really. How could anyone be okay when their parents avoid them in public?”
Asher grasped her hands in his, but he had no words to make this better. All he could do was listen.
She looked down, as if unable to meet his gaze. “I always think I’m going to get used to them, but then they top what they did the time before.” She swallowed hard, obviously holding on to her composure by a thread. “It’s just… there’s always that little girl in me who wants her mother’s approval. I know she’ll never give it to me, so why does it hurt so much each time she disappoints me?”
He slipped a finger beneath her chin and forced her to look up at him. “Because you’re human? Because it’s hurtful?” And because her mother was a horrible human being, but Asher didn’t want to rub salt in an already open wound.
“You’re right.” Nikki glanced at her watch. “We should go. We’re already a few minutes late for the shower.”
He shook his head. “No. You don’t need to put a smile on your face and fake being happy after what just happened. We’re going home and I’ll make an excuse for us later.”
Nikki straightened her shoulders. “No. I’ll stop in the ladies’ room and freshen up. Then we’ll go celebrate Aurora’s new baby.”
If she was determined to attend, there wasn’t much he could do.
She rose to her feet and he stood up beside her. “Do you have the gifts?” she asked.
She’d gone shopping during the week and purchased presents, helping him out, too. Otherwise he’d have asked his personal assistant to go shopping because he had no idea what to buy for a baby shower.
“The valet is having them delivered to the party,” he said.
He walked with her to the restrooms and waited until she came back out. Her eyes were still red, but she was determined to put on a brave face and meet his family.
Her bravery was just one of the reasons he loved her. She thought of others even during her own trauma.
Once inside the party, Asher was determined to make pushing herself to attend worth her while. First, he walked her over to Aurora, Nick, and their daughter, Leah, and made introductions.
Asher’s brother and wife were warm and welcoming as Nikki congratulated them. Then she looked at Asher’s niece, who’d just given him a big hug.
“Hi, there. Are you excited to be a big sister?” Nikki asked.
Leah wrinkled her nose. “It’s getting a lot of attention and it’s not even here yet.”
Asher chuckled at her use of the word it. All the pink and blue balloons told them all they didn’t know the sex of the baby.
“Leah’s still unsure,” Aurora said, putting her hand on her daughter’s head. “She’s been an only child for six years.”
Nikki knelt down so she was eye level with the little girl. “Can I tell you a secret?”
Leah nodded, wide-eyed. “I’m the younger sister and you know what? I always wanted to be the big sister because my brother bossed me around.”
Asher knew she was lying. She idolized her older brother, but she was doing her best to make things better for Leah. His heart, which already belonged to Nikki, swelled with pride.
“But, Leah, you get to be the oldest,” Nikki said. “You’ll be able to help your mom, be in charge sometimes, and either you’ll have a sister who’ll be your best friend one day or a brother who you’ll love more than anything. Either way it’s going to be great for you.”
Leah was always a spitfire but she’d been more subdued today. She looked at Nikki warily, her eyes narrowed and distrusting. “Are you sure?”
Nikki nodded. “I have one more secret for you, okay?” She leaned in closer. “Sometimes, when you have a baby brother or sister, you get presents, too. In fact, your uncle Asher and I both bought you gifts.”
Leah’s eyes opened wide. “Really?” she asked, perking up and smiling.
“Really.” Nikki rose to her feet. “But babies aren’t just about getting presents. Remember, best friends one day.” She winked at Leah, who was now bouncing up and down and ran to her grandparents, probably to tell them all Nikki’s secrets.
“I don’t know how to thank you for that. She’s been in a grumpy mood all day,” Aurora said, grinning.
Nikki shrugged. “She’s adorable. I’m sure she’s in a panic about losing her status as the favorite. She’ll be fine when the baby comes.”