Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I slid onto my stool with a sigh. “You’d have found out soon anyway, when I moved in here.”
Gatlin made a sound that I could only describe as a girlish gasp.
“Wait, you’re moving in with Caden?” Ensley asked.
Gatlin grabbed his beer. “This is like a movie playing out right before my eyes.”
“Have you told Mom and Dad?”
“Yes, last night.”
Ensley leaned forward. “How did they take it?”
“They were both happy and supportive.”
All eyes went to me. “Mine were supportive, but they want to buy me a house and don’t think I should move in with Caden.”
“Why not? You’re both grown adults, and you’re having a baby together. Makes sense that Caden would want you here.”
“And not in that tiny apartment of yours,” Ensley added. “When are you moving in?”
Caden and I exchanged a look before he cleared his throat and answered. “We haven’t really talked about it. I mean, we have, just not in detail.”
“Oh shit. Is that what we crashed in on?” Gatlin asked.
“Yes,” Caden replied bluntly.
Ensley stood. “Come on, Gatlin. It’s time to go.”
His mouth fell open. “What? Why do we have to leave?”
“Caden and Lilibeth have things to discuss.”
“So? It’s not like it’s a secret anymore.”
I held up my finger. “About that. We weren’t going to tell anyone for a few more weeks, but I guess family will wonder why I’m moving in, so we should probably let the rest of your family know.”
“I’ll tell them!” Gatlin volunteered, before shoving nearly a whole slice of pizza into his mouth.
“No, you won’t,” Caden said, as he stood and walked with Ensley and Gatlin to the door. “Next time, ring the damn doorbell, will you?”
Ensley drew me into her arms before she put her coat on. When she took a step back, she wore a worried look. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, I replied, “Just bouts of morning sickness.”
She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. “That’s not what I meant.”
My eyes shot to Caden, who was now arguing with Gatlin about something.
When I looked back at her, I tried my best to give her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. It’s a shock, but I’m fine.”
“Let’s plan a girls’ night. Just me, you, and Emeline.”
“That would honestly be so lovely. Just no bacon anywhere in sight. Or pizza and ranch dressing!”
She hugged me again. “Leave it to me. I’ll plan it. And when you move, let me know. I’ll help.”
“I don’t have much to bring, since Caden has everything.”
Glancing around the living room, she nodded. “That’s true.
She hugged me once more, then hugged Caden before following Gatlin out.
Caden shut the door and exhaled. “So much for not telling people.”
I smiled. “It’s just family. I’m sure everything will be okay.”
He nodded as he rubbed the back of his neck. He looked at me, and his brows drew down some. “You look tired.”
“I didn’t sleep very well last night.”
Caden walked to a bench against the living room wall, opened it, and took out a blanket. Then he made his way over to the sofa and set the blanket down. He grabbed the remote and turned it on.
“Lie down for a bit while I clean up the kitchen.”
I started for the kitchen instead. “Nonsense, I’ll help.”
Taking my wrist, he pulled me to a stop. “Please lie down, Lilibeth.”
I suddenly felt bone-weary tired. The idea of a short nap did sound heavenly. I nodded and sat down on the sofa. I picked up the remote and started flipping through the channels as Caden headed back to the kitchen.
“Oh my gosh! The Sound of Music is on!”
The sound of Caden groaning made me chuckle as I snuggled on the sofa under the blanket. It wasn’t long before my eyes felt heavy and I slowly drifted off to sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, after what felt like an hours-long nap, I saw Caden sitting on the sofa, my legs over his lap, his head resting against the cushion. He was sleeping, and the TV was now playing another movie. I hadn’t even made it to the part of the movie where Maria’s meeting with the kids before falling asleep, apparently.
Caden looked handsome even with his head back and his mouth open as he slept. Smiling, I knew I should wake him up and make my way back to my place, but I was so comfortable, and that nap had been the best sleep I’d had in weeks. So instead, I closed my eyes again…
The next time I opened them, I was sleeping in a bed.
I glanced around and realized it was one of Caden’s guest rooms. The same one I’d woken up in back in November. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but judging from the sun coming through the blinds, it was morning. I didn’t need to be at the store until noon, so I wasn’t worried that I’d overslept.