Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“How can we even afford that? I have money saved but not nearly—”
“I have money, Jewls. Enough to build this house and be comfortable.”
“That’s insane. It’s hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
“Trust me on this. Plus, we get the Doug and Celia Whitman discount.”
She looks back at the land, swaying in place. “My stuff is not shit.” A grin plays on her lips. “And I think five-bedrooms will suffice.”
“Done.”
“Hardly.”
“Let’s go home and make your list, naked.”
The grin turns into a full-blown smile. “You haven’t fed me.”
“We’ll order something after I fuck you again.”
“Thought you needed sustenance?”
I lift her up and spin her around before catching her under the knees. “Smartass, my sustenance is you on your back while I enjoy my appetizer.”
The familiar hunger builds in her gaze. “What are we waiting for?”
Satisfaction courses through me at the minimal amount of push-back she served up. I expected a lot more fight. Maybe it’s the hormones, or maybe she’s finally getting a clue. But I’m not stupid. What comes next will send her reeling.
Note to self for when I put the ring on her finger.
30
Jewls
“You’re here!” Harley screeches, swinging her purse in the alcove by my head.
I continue inspecting the bottles and marking off inventory. “I’ve been here for days.”
“But you’re early.”
“Came straight from a meeting to help Tom.”
“I could have done it.” Her voice is riddled with nerves.
I stand, following her line of sight to find Charlie and Raven in stools. My skin prickles under their calculating scrutiny.
“What?”
They remain stoic. I smooth over my hair and tuck it behind my ear, then wipe my cheek. “Is there something on my face?”
“Your shirt is loose,” Charlie points out. “You’re the queen of bosom boasting.”
“Did you use the term bosom?”
She shrugs indifferently. “The mood struck.”
“I don’t boast. Showing skin helps tips. But if you must know, this is the only size Tom had in stock. I haven’t done laundry this week.”
Total lie. When I slid into my regular shirt earlier, my boobs were popping—more than normal.
She reaches out, grabbing my hand and surveying it. “Your nails are perfect and hair is radiant.”
“Is that a compliment?”
Raven’s striking blue eyes come to mine and pool with moisture. “Jewls.”
“That confirms it. Sappy Sally is making an appearance.”
“Sappy Sally?”
“Raven always gets emotional when one of her friends is pregnant. Although I picked up the minute you stood.”
My heart stops, then races to the rhythm of the whooshing in my ears. “What are you talking about?”
Harley speaks up, “Jewls, are you pregnant?”
The question almost knocks me off my feet. “What? No? Why?” Guilt kills my words.
“Jewls, you’re my best friend. Did you think I didn’t know something is off?”
“Dammit! I hate your sixth sense!”
“She suspected, we confirmed.” Charlie sounds highly proud of herself.
“How did you figure it out?”
“I know the effects of prenatal vitamins on any woman.”
“I’ve been pregnant three times, Charlie twice, Ember twice, Presley twice, Ella once, Abby twice… with all our other friends. I’m a professional.” Raven sounds just as proud.
When she puts it that way, I didn’t stand a chance at secrecy. “I can’t believe you brought in the bloodhounds.”
“You were taking too long to tell me,” Harley whines.
“I was waiting until my next appointment to confirm the baby is okay.”
Anger sparks in her gaze. “And if it wasn’t? Did you plan to go through that alone, too?”
Okay, that hurts. But even more, I hate that she’s looking at me with her own pain.
“No, yes, I don’t know. Put yourself in my shoes. This is a big surprise.”
“Surprise, yes, but are you happy?”
“I threw up for almost two weeks straight, my stomach coils at the mention of some of my favorite things, and all my savings from working here is going to buy me a shitload of leggings because my wardrobe won’t fit soon. Hence this shirt.” I gesture to myself. “My tear ducts are broken and leak constantly. My sex drive is out of control. Major has become even more possessive and bossy, if that’s possible. And when we told my family, I had to step between Caleb and Major and deck him.”
“Except for decking the bro, all that comes with the territory.” Charlie taps her finger on the bar top. “Now, make me a dirty martini, extra olives. Don’t skimp on the alcohol; give me a sidecar if necessary.”
“Me too, except a Cosmo,” Raven chirps.
“This is a blue bar. We don’t have sidecars. Lucky Tom lets us have martini glasses.”
“Hold it,” Harley interrupts. “Are you happy?”
In these last few weeks, my brain has been consumed with shock, confusion, fear of Major’s reaction or rejection, fear of disappointing our families, and fear of all the unknowns. Until this second, I haven’t stopped to think about my happiness.
Reflexively, my hand covers my lower stomach. “I am happy.”
The pain subsides, and she squeals like a schoolgirl, yanking me to her. “Congratulations!”