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)
“It’s taking a long time,” I murmur, voice thick from crying. “Why is it taking so long?”
Riko shrugs. “Trust he’ll figure it out. In the meantime, I know he trusts me to take care of you.”
It’s been two hours since Rhett, Angela, and the cop left. Riko had been waiting outside the door, apparently listening to everything, and swooped in the second I was alone. I’m grateful to have him as a friend.
“She’s the better choice.” I whimper because I don’t want to believe that, but I feel like maybe I should stop being selfish and say it.
“No, she’s not,” Riko says with a snort. “That girl is vapid, controlling, and, apparently, psychotic. I’m glad Rhett’s finally getting his shit together.”
I relax a little. He’s right. Angela never deserved Rhett in the first place.
“I’m guessing we don’t get little Buck, do we?” Riko teases. “I really wanted your baby.”
“Nope. He’s mine. Rhett’s going to be the best daddy.”
My heart swells because I know it’s true. He already is.
Headlights flood into the living room and we both jolt upright, eager for Rhett to return. Riko stands, kisses me on top of the head, and then slips out the front door. I slowly rise to my feet, heart pounding in my chest. The door opens and in comes Rhett with his hands full of fast-food bags and a drink carrier. It’s from one of my favorite burger places. That means he also got me a strawberry shake. My stomach grumbles happily.
“There was not enough protein in that sandwich you ate earlier,” Rhett says in way of greeting. “Burgers and shakes for my favorite people.”
I take the drink carrier from him and sip my strawberry shake. Despite the drama of today, Rhett still thought to bring me food. He’s always looking out for me.
We’re quiet as we inhale our food at the kitchen table. I’m dying to ask him about what happened, but I also want to give him time to tell me on his own.
“It was ugly,” he says as he washes his hands at the sink. “Your dad threatened me with all sorts of shit.”
Sounds about right. Dad thinks he owns everyone.
“I didn’t care, though.” He turns to face me and holds open his arms. “All I cared about was getting back to you.”
I rush over to him and let him envelop me in his warm embrace. He strokes his hand down the back of my head, kissing my temple.
“What does this mean, Rhett?” I whisper. “I need to hear it from you.”
He pulls back and cups my cheeks in his palms. “It means it always should have been you, honey. I love you. No one else. You.”
Buck dances happily in my belly. I’m wondering if he’s drunk off the pleasure flooding through me right now. Not because I won some battle against my sister. Because I got the man I love and who loves me back.
“I love you too,” I admit tearfully. “Took you long enough to get here.”
“I had errands to run.”
We both know I mean his profession of love.
“Like this,” he says as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box. “Got you something. I’m hoping you’ll accept it.”
I bark out a laugh of disbelief when he kneels in front of me in my dinky kitchen beside our fast-food trash still piled up on the counter. For some reason, it makes me pleased that he’s about to ask in such an imperfect way.
“I almost proposed to the wrong sister.” His throat bobs as he swallows hard and then kisses my belly. “The right one has been in front of me the whole time.”
I run my fingers through his curls that are chaotic today. “About time you worked that one out.”
“Better late than never.” He beams at me. “I’m going to hock that other ring. Pay for Buck’s college.”
We both chuckle. I’m lowkey relieved he isn’t recycling her ring for me. It was probably obnoxious and ostentatious. He opens the small box and reveals a modest engagement ring. It’s beautiful but not over-the-top. I love it.
“Will you marry me, honey? Tomorrow?”
I nod as I burst into giggles. “We’ll tell no one and get Chinese food after. Oh, and then ice cream.”
“Is that a yes?”
“That’s a hell yes.”
He slips the ring on my finger and then scoops me into his arms. I tilt my head back and grin as he carries me up the stairs two steps at a time, eager to get me to the bedroom.
Once in my room, he shuts the door with his foot, and then carefully sets me on the bed. I chew on my bottom lip as I watch him peel off his shirt. He’s cut from stone, every smooth muscle carefully created after years in the gym. I match his movements and pull off my top. Since my breasts never seem to stop growing, they spill over the top of my bra. I unhook it and toss it away.