Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“I guess it’s fate.”
“I guess so.” Aaron clung to me when I tried to pull away. “Where are you going…Horton?”
“You know…that name’s growing on me. Let’s put that one in the maybe column,” I teased, wriggling out of his embrace.
He gasped in faux dismay. “Don’t even joke about that.”
“Who’s joking? Meet you in the shower, hot stuff.”
I strutted toward our room, wearing a big-ass smile and nothing else as Aaron called out a new slew of names we’d never give our child.
“Okay, but Hildegard if she’s a her. Or Gertrude. Or…how about Appaloosa?”
I stopped in the hallway, buck-naked, and laughed. “I think you’re on to something. Or maybe you’re on something. I can’t tell.”
Aaron chuckled merrily, pinching my butt as he passed.
I didn’t follow him right away. I needed a moment to process the sweet sense of harmony and rightness in the air. The sense that come what may, we were stronger together.
This was heaven, and we both knew it.
eleven
There were few things I hated more than shopping. Very few. I think I had an allergy to retail establishments. The second I crossed the threshold, I started to sweat and felt itchy all over, which led to general agitation and a whole lot of crankiness. Trust me, my husband was extremely aware of the issue.
So I was a little surprised that he insisted my presence was required at Stork Emporium downtown.
“Why me? We bought the crib already. My job is assembly, and I thought we agreed not to do that until after the holidays.”
Yeah, I heard the panic in my voice. Not pretty.
Aaron hummed absently as he fussed with his scarf in the mirror in my office. By the way, he looked freaking amazing in his long wool navy coat and Doc Martens. Totally edible. But this was a place of serious business, and I could control my cock. I clandestinely adjusted myself, straightening the sleeves of my Hugo Boss suit as I skirted my desk.
He checked his watch and spun to face me. “I know, but they have a floor model of the one we purchased, and I think we should take a peek at it together to be sure it’s a better option than the newer model.”
“That sounds like something that’s right up Jay’s alley,” I cajoled.
“Maybe, but Jay isn’t my baby’s other daddy. You are.”
Ouch.
But also…my heart flipped, and my smile was automatic and very sappy.
“All right, all right.”
“Come on, Daddy. Let’s do this.”
I shut down my computer, grabbed my briefcase, and said good-night to Colleen. “I won’t be back today, but I’ll be in early tomorrow. Anything urgent comes up, I have my cell.”
Colleen jumped to her feet to hug Aaron. “Every time I see you two running baby errands, I get all fluttery inside.”
Aaron did a mini dance. “Me too! So does Matty, but he’s much more chill about it.”
Colleen snickered conspiratorially. “He’s going to be such a softie, putty in your baby’s tiny palm. Now what’s happening today? Are you starting Lamaze?”
Aaron’s jovial expression dimmed and the effect was startling, like a cloud blocking the sun. He recovered quickly. “No, um…we’re going to look at cribs. The painters finished up last week, and though I’m trying not to overdo the decor, we need to be prepared.”
Colleen was a no-nonsense middle-aged mother and had been my secretary since well before I made partner. She’d become a good friend, and had been a huge support to us during the failed adoption, but she didn’t know every facet of the story. However, based on Aaron’s reaction, it probably wouldn’t take a genius to figure out that Lamaze was a rough topic.
She sent an apologetic look my way and wisely followed Aaron’s cue. “Very smart. How far along is Lena?”
“Twenty-eight weeks and four days,” he replied excitedly. “You should see her belly. She’s the cutest pregnant person ever. My mom thinks it’s a boy based on how she’s carrying the baby. Matty’s mom thinks it’s a girl because of how she carried her daughters. Now I’m wondering who’s right!”
“And you’ll know in two short months,” Colleen said. “I got the shower invitation. It’s so extravagant.”
Aaron snickered. “So extra, right? Jay couldn’t help himself. But it’s supposed to be a very casual coed event.”
“Ri-ght. For a gazillion of our very best friends,” I snarked.
Aaron’s smile had a guarded edge, but he gamely rolled his eyes, waving to Colleen as he steered me toward the elevators.
Twenty minutes later, I was surrounded by baby stuff. Cribs, strollers in all shapes and sizes, changing tables, activity gyms, and more. Much, much more.
“This is it.” Aaron circled a light wood crib with a critical eye.
I stuffed my hands in my suit coat pockets and studied it too, but it seemed like a straightforward piece of furniture. “I like it.”
“Hmm, but what about this one?” He zeroed in on a white crib with a decorative headboard.