Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
We’ve already done introductions, which went well. They talked about the nightclub Jack plans to open here in Charleston and the one in Miami. Once he realized Jack’s father is Ian Dare, talk turned to football.
Then I gave them an abbreviated version of the truth about my relationship with Chandler and how he’d been blackmailing me to stay quiet. That led to a ton of questions, which I answered.
Now it’s time for the big reveal.
Mom leans close to me. “He’s handsome,” she whispers in my ear before I can tell them I have more to say.
I stifle a laugh. “Yes, he is.” I clear my throat. “There’s something else I need to tell you both.”
Dad raises an eyebrow. “We’ve already discussed blackmail, what could be left?” he asks.
Beside me, Jack takes my hand. “Well, I’m pregnant with Jack’s baby.”
“You’re pregnant.” Mom repeats the words out loud, as if her saying them will make the news real.
I nod. “I’m sorry I waited to tell you, but I didn’t want to drag you into my mess with Chandler, so I took myself out of town to find Jack and to think about how to handle everything. In the end, I did the right thing and turned Chandler in.”
Dad rises to his feet, walks over, and pulls me up and into his arms. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “And I’m thrilled I’m going to be a grandfather.” He wraps an arm around my waist and extends his hand to Jack, who rises to shake it.
Mom jumps to her feet. “I’m going to be a grandmother!” It’s as if the news just sank in and she’s beaming. She reaches for my hand and I duck out of Dad’s embrace, step past Jack, and into Mom’s warm hug.
She takes my hand. “You men stay here and talk. Taylor and I need to discuss baby things!” She leads me into the kitchen, turning on the light as she enters.
We sit on the barstools at the center island. “My baby is having a baby! I can’t believe it,” she says. “Does your sister know?”
I wince and nod. “She knows everything, but I swore her to secrecy.”
Mom nods in understanding. “Tell me, honey. Are you really okay? So much has happened, and I can’t believe you went through it alone.”
“I wasn’t alone,” I tell her. “I had Jack.” Before meeting him, I had a long stretch where yes, it was hard and lonely, dealing with Chandler on my own, but eventually I’d confided in Holly and that had helped.
“Tell me about him.”
A slow smile spreads across my face. “Well, he’s handsome, and protective, and kind.”
“I love your smile,” she says. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you look so happy. Even with everything else going on, you’re glowing, and I don’t think it’s just the pregnancy hormones.”
“Honestly, Mom, he’s a good man. And considering I didn’t really know him when we met and I got pregnant …” I blush at the admission. “I’m very lucky now.”
“The Dares are a well-known family, so yes, you are lucky. You didn’t hook up with a serial killer.” She gives me the mom look. The one I expected when I told her I got knocked up after a one-night stand, though I didn’t say it in those words.
I sigh. “I hear you.” And I’m sure I’d feel the same way if it was my child telling me the same story.
She nods and takes my hand in hers. “You’re an adult but I still worry.”
“And I understand.” Which is why I kept her in the dark for so long.
“Well, back to happy things. When can we go baby shopping?” she asks, and I let out a laugh.
“Soon,” I promise her.
“So … are you and Jack going to—”
I wave a hand, cutting her off before she can ask about the future. “We’re not there yet, and I’m not going to push or rush things.”
Mom inclines her head. “Enough said. We focus on the present.”
I nod. “And in the present, you’re going to be a grandma. A very active, important part of my baby’s life.”
She pulls me into her embrace, and I breathe in the familiar scent that reminds me of my childhood and all good things. “Now, should we rescue Jack from your father’s grilling?” she asks, stepping back.
“Good idea,” I say, laughing, and together, we walk out of the kitchen and head back to our men where I hear Jack explaining how he purchased and opened the nightclub with his friends.
“Dad, leave him alone,” I say, grinning as I walk back into the room.
He smiles indulgently at me, the same expression I remember from when I was a child. “It’s fine. We’re just getting to know each other.”
Mom chuckles. “We know it’s more than that. Behave,” she chides him.