Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
“Take care of her, and make sure I still get to see her at my ma’s house for dinner a few nights a week,” Bradford says, and he gives me a wink.
“I’ll do it,” Bennett agrees, and we walk out of the office, leaving Bradford alone with Josh.
I’ve never been certain about what Bradford is capable of, but right now if I had to guess, I’d say that Josh is going to disappear and will never be seen again. Honestly there’s a terrifying evil inside of Josh. I won’t lose a bit of sleep if Bradford takes him out.
“Let’s get out of here,” Bennett says as he scoops me up in his arms and rushes me out to the waiting car.
Once we’re inside he holds me in his lap and kisses me all over like he’s reminding himself that I’m okay.
“If anything had happened to you…” He shakes his head, unable to finish that thought.
“Shh. I’m okay. You got to me in time,” I say and place my hand on his cheek.
“I love you so much, James. I can’t ever lose you.”
His words warm my entire body and it’s everything I’ve felt in my heart that I’ve been scared to say out loud.
“I love you, too, Bennett.” I wrap my arms around him and pull him close to me. “I’m not going anywhere ever again.”
He pulls back and locks eyes with me as he grips my chin. “Promise?”
I nod my head and smile, making the easiest decision of my life. “Promise.”
When he presses his lips to mine, the kiss is unlike any we’ve had before. Maybe it’s because all the cards are on the table and we both know that this is forever. This might have all started out as a plan to steal the egg and get some cash, but I think I was the one who ended up being conned. This guy who everyone said was an asshole turned out to be the love of my life. I guess there are worse deceptions in life, and I’m lucky that Bennett stole my heart.
As the kiss deepens and turns into more, I can’t help but think how none of this turned out like I planned. But being in Bennett’s arms, I can’t imagine life any other way.
Epilogue
James
Nine months later…
I flip the pages of the baby book, still in search of a name but knowing I’m not going to like any of them more than the one I already want. I was so sure we were having a boy, but Bennett called it the moment we found out I was expecting. I’m pretty sure he got me knocked up the same night he’d taken my virginity.
My mind had been set on the name Joey. I wanted to name our first child after Bennett’s Nana’s father. I knew she would be so excited when she found out the baby’s name and I’d been excited to tell her. She and I have gotten so close since Bennett introduced me to her, along with his father and grandpa. I love them all and enjoy watching Bennett close some of the space between them. Nana tells me I brought their family back together again, but they gave me one.
“Joey is a cute name for a girl, too.” Bennett comes up from behind me, kissing me on my bare shoulder where my robe has fallen off. It’s his. I don't fit into mine anymore with this giant baby belly. Bennett got me a new one, but I enjoy wearing his. It always smells of him. I’m perched on the kitchen bar chair in my favorite spot. It gives me a nice view when I watch my husband cook meals for me, which is often. I can out-eat anyone at this point.
“I know,” I sigh, closing the book I’ve looked over three times now. “I also know what it’s like growing up with a boy’s name.” My shoulders drop. It wasn't really that it was a boy name, it had more to with why my mom gave me the name to begin with. My mom, like me, thought she was having a boy when she got knocked up with me. She kept the name she planned because she said she wasn't going to try and come up with another. I didn't want my sweet girl to think I’d done the same. Everything about her is special to me and I never want her to doubt that. Nor do I ever want to be like my own mother.
I don't protest when Bennett picks me up easily, sitting me on the countertop. My robe falls open, revealing my stomach and breasts—the two things that have grown since I got knocked up. I look like I swallowed a basketball. I’m all belly and now suddenly I have giant boobs. I can’t get used to it. I’ve gone from being quick on my toes to knocking over everything, thinking I can slide by places the belly and I clearly won’t fit.