Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 36002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
My tongue goes dry and I gape at her. “I’m not sleeping with anyone,” I blurt out, voice bordering on shrill. “Why would you say that?”
Not sleeping with anyone at the moment.
But you did before…
“You’re just so distant,” she mutters. “And here I thought all the secrecy was because you were going to propose. How wrong was I?”
“Propose?”
Her parents choose that exact moment to approach the table. Vivian squeals with excitement but David grunts.
“I know you’re not proposing to my daughter like that,” David says, voice tight. “My little girl deserves something far more special than an offhanded comment at dinner. Plus, if you were to get a ring, I know you’d get it from me.”
Well, fuck.
And, an hour later, that’s how I find myself at Serengeti’s local jewelry store, picking out a ring that’s more expensive than my car. David explains all the cuts and metal types and everything I didn’t care to know about engagement rings. Meanwhile, my phone buzzes nonstop. When I finally escape, there’re several messages from Abby.
Abby: I fell.
Abby: It’s probably fine.
Abby: My back really hurts, though.
Abby: What if the baby’s not fine? Oh God.
I toss the ring box in the backseat of my car and haul ass to Moonlit Gables.
Abby winces as I help her into the passenger seat. Thankfully, the doctor said Abby and the baby were fine, and likely just pulled a muscle in her back. It scared the shit out of both of us, though.
When we make it back to the townhouse, Riko pops his head out of his door.
“She’s okay,” I tell him as I exit my car. “Baby is too.”
“Thank fuck,” he says and saunters over to us as I assist Abby out of the car.
He follows us inside and stops to cuddle the cats. I guide Abby to the couch, find her favorite blanket, and then grab her a Sprite.
“So,” Riko says, voice unusually shaky. “I talked to Derek and we want to put an offer on the table.”
“You can’t have our cats,” I deadpan.
He snorts. “Your cats? I thought they were Abby’s.”
“What’s hers is mine.”
She rolls her eyes. “Caveman.”
Riko smirks. “Anyway, we know how you want to put little Buck—”
“We’re not naming him Buck,” I blurt out at the same time Abby says, “See, it’s catching on!”
Riko cackles with laughter. “Buck is totally catching on.”
Abby preens as she sips her soda. She’s glowing now that the scare is out of the way. I prefer seeing her like this than sick with worry.
“We want to adopt Buck. You’re putting him up for adoption anyway, so why not adopt him out to someone you know?”
I whip my head over to see if Riko’s serious. His expression is gentle and hopeful. A sudden burst of relief gushes through me.
Until I see Abby’s face.
The glow has vanished and she’s paler than ever before.
“Uh, sorry,” Riko blurts out. “I didn’t mean to just throw that on you. Think about it and let us know. We have plenty of time.”
He leaves us both in stunned silence. Then, Abby makes a whining sound. She squeezes her eyes shut and rubs her belly. I panic, wondering if the baby really is hurt.
“Hey, honey,” I croon as I kneel on the floor beside her. “What’s wrong? What hurts? Want me to rub your back?”
She shakes her head and tears fling from her jaw. Gently, I take her wet cheek in my hand and stroke her flesh with my thumb.
“Look at me, Abs.”
Her red eyes open and her brows pinch together as if she’s in pain. “I can’t let him go. I know this isn’t what you want and I’m sorry, but I can’t do it. I love him already.”
“But that was the plan, remember?”
“Was it?” Her bottom lip trembles violently. “I don’t remember agreeing to that suggestion.”
Her emotions are wild and out of control. From what the internet says, it’s only exasperated by pregnancy hormones. Rogue hops onto the couch and tries to wedge himself between us. Runaway joins a second later. They’re her Velcro animals and can always sense when she’s not doing well.
“We don’t have to figure all that out right now,” I say softly. “Today has been a long, hard day for you. Why don’t you take a nap, honey?”
She nods. “Okay. Can you stay with me?”
As if I’m going to leave her in this state.
“I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.”
Her smile is sweet and it makes my chest ache. “Thank you.”
Since her back is still hurt, I assist her up the stairs. The entire time, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Once I get her to her room, I excuse myself to the nursery to see who’s blowing me up.
Angela: Daddy said you got the perfect ring for me.
Angela: He won’t give me any details. So annoying.
Angela: I can see your location. I hope this means you’re planning the most epic proposal with Riko rather than avoiding me. LOL.