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)
I had no clue he was so well mannered, even though he’s never personally done anything to make me think he was a barbarian. It’s just a completely new journey tonight and I’m digging it.
A waitress dressed in black slacks and a starched white shirt approaches with a smile, handing us the menus. She expertly describes the chef’s specials, recommends their signature steak dishes and takes our drink orders.
Camden and Bain both go with bourbon while Danica orders a red wine. It’s water for me and I’m astonished when Bain says, “On second thought… I’ll just have water.”
“No,” I exclaim as I touch his arm. “You get a drink. You don’t have to go without just because I do.” The waitress smiles knowingly and Bain looks unsure. It’s beyond sweet that when he said he’s going through this with me that he’s taking it to the extreme. I pat his arm. “I promise. Get your drink. It won’t bother me in the slightest.”
He still looks unsure but nods to the waitress his assent, adding, “And water too.”
Danica and Camden duck their heads in amusement and then we all take a moment to peruse the menus. My eyes rove over the mouthwatering descriptions of perfectly cooked cuts of meat and exquisite side dishes. I’ve had a little nausea the last few days, but I can’t say it’s necessarily morning sickness. In my research, it’s possible to start feeling some effects if I’m indeed going to be plagued with them, but it could also be just nerves because my world has been upended. Regardless, tonight I’m hungry and ready to chow down.
“Looks like we’re in for a treat,” I say, my voice filled with anticipation. “I think I’m going to get the filet topped with crab.”
“I was looking at that too,” Danica says.
Bain leans over and points to his menu. “Want to get this tomahawk rib eye for two? We can add the crab on top.”
“Oh yeah,” I say, mouth watering. I do love me a good rib eye.
“Jesus,” Camden groans with faux disgust. “You two are fucking adorable.”
Danica laughs and Bain smirks. I don’t know how to react to that because somehow… despite this being new and a little disconcerting, it also feels right. So much so that it doesn’t feel cute or adorable, two words that imply it’s not deep.
A sudden realization washes over me, flooding my senses with a profound understanding. The emotions I harbor for Bain are pretty intense and I think layers are being peeled back, revealing a more intense connection than either of us understood.
All exposed because we’re going to share a dish.
Camden puts his menu down and leans back, a cocky smile on his face. “I knew when Danica and I busted you in the hallway at the gala there was something more than what we saw.”
My eyes flare with surprise. He saw more? I don’t know how because, at that time, I’m pretty sure Bain and I were only thinking about fucking each other. But maybe there was more and we were just too afraid to give it any credence.
Regardless, things are progressing fast since I found out I was pregnant and it feels a little like being caught in a turbulent storm. Dangerous and exciting all at once.
The waitress comes back and we give our orders. For a while, we discuss hockey, a given when you date someone who plays the sport. I grew up listening to Drake prattle on and on. The result is that I can hold my own with any person who thinks they know the sport on a professional level. Danica is the same, so both of us are active participants.
“You two should come watch Travis play,” Camden says. “It’s amazing the talent that kid has. Just like his dad.”
It’s a statement one would think might cause sad reflection, given that Mitch died in the crash, but Danica smiles with pride at Camden’s words and then her expression softens to match that of the gooiest cookie straight out of the oven. “Camden’s been working with Travis and his confidence has skyrocketed this past month.”
None of us need to say it, but it’s the value of consistent, positive influence in a kid’s life. I know Bain and I both had it, but I’m not sure about Camden. So I flat out ask him. “You have that growing up?”
Camden nods. “Yeah… my dad always supported my hockey.”
A statement of affirmation, but so much is left unsaid. I don’t push, though, as Bain surprises me by stepping into the conversation in a very personal way. “While I’m ninety percent terrified of parenting, the one thing I feel confident in is helping my kid succeed in a sport.”
“Want a boy who plays hockey?” Danica teases.
“Girls can play hockey too,” he points out, and she inclines her head as if to say Touché. “But any sport, really. It’s such a mix of encouragement and positive critique to keep the motivation up. My parents were so good at it and I can’t wait to pass that on.”