Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“I was.” I take a pause and sigh. “I just have this feeling. I’m not going to do anything to close that door yet. If we can get me home, I want to at least consider it.”
“A lot can happen in two years.”
“Exactly,” I say as I think about all that needs to be done to go back home.
Two years is plenty of time for Zah to have the space to forgive me. Heck, I could be back home within a year and a half, to be honest.
Maybe in two years, we can sit down and have a real conversation. For now, I’m going to keep my eye on Gilbert. I never did trust him around Zah.
CHAPTER 29
ACoincidence
Zahirah
Two months later …
“Oh my God, you’re not going to believe who I ran into in town,” Erica gushes as she rushes into our apartment.
I snap my eyes open as I realize that once again I was nodding off. At four months pregnant, I tend to do that a lot. I’ve been editing this travel vlog for the new channel for hours now because I can’t seem to keep my eyes open.
I started the new channel and stopped showing my face and using my voice after we left Arizona. I figured if I want to stay hidden and keep my pregnancy to myself, I need to start fresh.
“Oh, I’m sorry. You and baby Coswell were sleeping.” Erica pouts.
“Will you stop calling him that?” I hiss.
“It’s not like we know for sure it’s a boy, and you haven’t given him or her a name, so what else should I call the little love bug?”
“I know it’s a boy. I don’t need anyone to tell me that. I wanted his name to be a surprise, but you’re getting on my nerves,” I snap.
“Okay, Mommy is cranky today. Got it. Wait, you named the baby?”
“Sort of.”
“Sort of? What does that mean? Does my nephew have a name or not?”
“For now, you can call him AC,” I mutter.
She looks at me and begins to tear up. I groan, knowing she’s figured his name out already. I cover my belly and give her a small smile.
“Aaron Christopher,” she chokes out.
“Yeah, it feels right, you know?”
She nods her head and begins to wipe at her tears. “I should have known when you asked for Dad’s middle name. I love it. My dad’s middle name and your dad’s middle name. It’s perfect.”
“I couldn’t remember what the A stood for at first. I didn’t want to ask, but it was going to drive me crazy. Anyway, who did you run into?”
“Oh, um, right,” she sniffles. “I was in town to get you those peaches and I ran right into Gilbert Manning. Isn’t this such a small world?”
“Oh wow, yes. It is. That’s so crazy.”
“He said he’s here on vacation with some family. His grandma or something. They have a boat docked at the port.
“He invited us to dinner. I kind of think the invitation was meant for you more than me, but I want to see this yacht.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Come on, Zah. I know you’ve only ever had eyes for Bentley. Don’t ask me why or how I didn’t see it sooner, but Gilbert has always had a crush on you.”
“We’re just friends. I really don’t see him like that. He’s not bad looking, but he’s not my type.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Decent guy, but I think his money does a lot of talking for him. Rumor is, he’s not packing either.”
“What is it with you? Why are you so obsessed with penis size?” I burst out laughing.
She scoffs. “I’ve had way more experience than you, but not with the luxury you’ve had. Trust me, size matters and some of us aren’t receiving the gift you are … were.”
“Why do I bother?” I giggle. “I don’t really care what Gilbert is packing. I’ll never see it. That just sounds weird to even think about.”
“I’m not telling you to jump his bones, but it might be nice to get out for more than footage. Let’s go and have some fun.”
“Do I get a nap before we leave?”
“Yes, you and AC can have a nap.” She runs over and places her hand on my bump. “Auntie E loves you, Aaron. I can’t wait to meet you.”
She then kisses my cheek. “I love you too. I’ll wake you up to get ready.”
Bentley
“Hello,” I say into the phone as I sit at my locker.
“Great fucking game, man. You’re amazing, brother.”
“What’s up, Fred? You don’t call me to congratulate me on games. How is she? Is she in trouble?”
He pauses for a moment. “I know where she is. I know you said you didn’t want to know, but I thought I’d call anyway.”
“Thanks, man. Just keep her safe. Whatever it costs, I’ll pay. Call me if she needs me.”