Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Talk about a fucking whirlwind and yeah… sometimes my head still spins. There have been plenty of moments where I’ll get struck with an overwhelming sense of panic or dread. I won’t let those insecurities drive me away, but they are very real and causing some sleeplessness. Maybe a bit of mourning for my life of freedom and lack of responsibilities.
Still, I do get Kiera in exchange and as terrified as I am at times, I’m more than placated by having her as a prize.
Yeah… I said it. I’m falling for her and this pregnancy has forced us to face those feelings.
“Earth to Bain, come in, Bain.”
I blink and turn to Drake who’s smirking at me. “Did you say something?”
“Based on the look on your face, I don’t even want to know what you were thinking. But I was asking if you could help me out this weekend.”
“Doing what?” I ask suspiciously.
“Kiera tell you I’m proposing to Brienne?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, it’s going to be on Valentine’s Day and I want Kiera and my kids to be present. I’m taking Brienne out to a romantic dinner and Kiera will pretend to be babysitting the boys. When I pop the question, they’ll come out. Since you’re sort of with her, that means you’re invited too.”
“I’m touched,” I say sarcastically, banging my fist over my heart.
Drake rolls his eyes. “Don’t be. I need to put you to work. I need help to pick up the ring. It’s being held at the jeweler and it would be great if you could pick it up that morning. Brienne has got me hopping this weekend, so I can’t sneak away to get it. Think you can handle it?”
“Sure,” I say easily, and I’m kind of touched he’s asked me to pick up the ring instead of Kiera.
“If you lose it, I will have to kill you.”
“Expensive?”
“Hundred and thirty-two thousand.”
I wheeze in shock. “Jesus Christ… who spends that much money for a ring?”
“A man who is crazy in love, but you wouldn’t know anything about that.”
If he’s trying to make me feel bad that Kiera and I are taking a very nontraditional route, it’s not working. “I’ll be glad to pick up the ring for you.”
“Thanks,” he says and then pushes up out of the chair, taking his club soda and walking farther back into the plane.
I know the dude is now going to be in my life forever because he’s related to my kid, but I’m not sure we’ll ever get along all that well because he’ll always see it as a betrayal that I went after his sister after he warned us all off.
CHAPTER 22
Kiera
It’s frigid outside as we walk from the car to the restaurant. Bain and I walk hand in hand and that’s such a new and unsettling experience, my tummy flutters with every step we take. We’ve always been affectionate toward each other, but that usually came in the form of touches and cuddles post-sex. We’ve never been public before tonight and I wonder if he feels as weird as I do about it.
We enter the restaurant with him holding the door open for me. It’s a gesture that before tonight I wouldn’t have thought twice about—just a kindness extended. But tonight it seems romantic and protective.
I’m not sure who chose this steakhouse—Camden or Bain—but it was their mutual idea for a double date tonight. The atmosphere as soon as we step in is warm and inviting. Soft clinking of glasses, murmured conversations and candlelight. The décor exudes sophistication and elegance with crisp linen-covered tables set with fine china. The aroma of wood-fired steaks and spices waft through the air, mingling with the subtle fragrance of freshly cut flowers placed on each table. The restaurant hums with a subdued activity as the waitstaff glide among tables and speak in hushed tones. Lovers hold hands as they converse.
It’s the perfect place for a romantic meal and I suppose it works well for a double date. Camden and Danica are here already and we’re led back to their table. As we maneuver through, I’m hyperaware of the people who gawk. Women drooling over Bain, men looking in awe. Tonight he’s dressed in a pair of dark jeans with a fitted black sweater and a black leather jacket, giving him an effortlessly cool vibe. He’s beyond hot and it’s not lost on me that women want him and men want to be like him. It makes me squeeze his hand tighter and he looks over his shoulder at me curiously. I just shake my head and smile in return.
Camden and Danica stand as we get nearer. Both are in winter casual—jeans and sweaters—and we all engage in hugs for the girls and fist bumps for the guys. I went with skinny jeans and ankle boots tonight, topped off with an oversized cream-colored sweater. Bain helps me out of my cranberry-red wool coat with big black buttons and I shiver when one of his fingers caresses my neck as he slides it off. He folds and places it over the back of my chair before holding it out for me to sit down.