Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“Will you lay with me?” she asks.
“Of course.” I adjust her little body on the couch and curl myself around her. Miles turns on one of her favorite movies, so as it plays on the TV, I smooth my hand across her forehead. Before long, the fever she seemed to have had is gone, and she’s once again cool to the touch. She’s also sound asleep, judging by her quiet snore.
I look up at Miles, who joined us not long after he changed into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt and positioned himself so that both of our heads were pressed up against him. When his gaze connects with mine, I ask softly, “Tell me something about you that I don’t know.”
His face gets soft like it does every time I ask that question, which is one of the reasons I continue to do it. Even when he hardly ever gives me an answer that means much. Or maybe they all mean something because they teach me little things about him. His gaze pings between Winter and me.
“I want two more kids,” he replies, and my heart beats funny. I wasn’t expecting that. “You?”
I glance down at Winter. I would be happy with just this, with just him and her. That deep-engrained urge to have a husband and kids has settled—probably because I’ve gotten it in a way. Even if I’m not Winter’s mom or his wife, I’m content and maybe even a little scared to want more when I already feel like I have so much.
“I think two more would be nice.”
He doesn’t reply with words; he just kisses the side of my head. I curl my arm around Winter and rest my head against his side once more. With the lights dim and the fireplace on, my eyelids start to feel heavy as the movie plays softly, and just when I’m sure I might fall asleep, there is a knock on the door.
“I got it,” Miles murmurs, then he gets up and tucks a pillow under my head before he walks around the arm of the couch.
A moment later, I hear the door open, and Dayton ask, “How’s she feeling?”
“Her fever broke,” Miles tells him, and I tip my head back to watch the two of them walk to the island, Dayton with two shopping bags in tow. Miles must have sent him a text at some point to let him know what was going on with Winter.
“I brought Gatorade and soup.” His eyes come to me. “I’m sure the soup is not as good as what you’d make, but it should do the trick.”
“Thank you.” I smile. Since he’s been in town, I’ve gotten to know him a little better, and even if he doesn’t want kids or a wife, he’s an amazing uncle and brother. Miles loves having him around, and I feel the same when he’s here in the evening, helping Winter with her homework or just hanging out with Miles at the island while I cook.
When my stomach growls, reminding me I didn’t eat lunch, I carefully maneuver myself off the couch, making sure to not wake Winter, then wander toward the kitchen, stopping when there’s another knock at the door.
“I got it,” I tell Miles when he starts to move away from where he’s standing with Dayton.
Opening the door, I smile at Clay.
“Hey, how’s our girl?” He bends down to kiss my cheek.
“She’s asleep, and her fever broke.”
“Good.” He steps inside, carrying a shopping bag. “I brought soup.”
“I beat you to it,” Dayton says from his stool in the kitchen, motioning to the clear plastic container now sitting on the counter with what looks like chicken noodle soup inside.
I laugh and start to shut the door but stop when Tucker appears in the doorway. I notice a single can of chicken star soup in his hand.
“Did Miles send out a mass text requesting soup?” I ask, accepting a one-armed hug from him.
“No.” He smiles. “But he did let us know Winter was sick. How’s she feeling?”
“She’s sleeping, and her fever broke,” I repeat while closing the door behind him.
I make my way to the kitchen, where the guys have all congregated, and open the fridge to look for something to eat.
“Miranda let me know we’re going to Florida next Friday,” Tucker says as I take out the stuff to make myself a sandwich.
“We are,” I confirm.
“I don’t get an invite?” Dayton asks, looking between Miles and me.
“You can come.” I shrug. “We’ll just have to rent a bigger house.”
“When is this?” Clay asks, and I focus on him.
“Next Friday to Monday.”
“I’ll see if Willow wants to go. She’d probably be happy to spend a few days in the sun.”
“As much as I want to spend some time with you guys away from work, this trip is for Emma to get to see her sister,” Miles says, moving close and resting his hand against my lower back.