Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 82747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
As if proving a point, Madison points to her friend's equally swollen belly.
"Do you think you could marry him and have his babies?" Sage asks.
"What?" I say, glaring at her. "I'm not even dating him."
"It sounds more serious than just dating if he claimed you," Adalynn says.
"I don't want to be claimed!" I snap, more annoyed than I probably should be.
These women don't mean me any harm, but the hot and cold from Mac has altered my brain chemistry in some way.
"Can you actually imagine me marrying him?"
"Yes," they all say immediately as if it wasn't a rhetorical question.
"And the burden of being a single mother when I get pregnant and put on more weight?"
Silence fills the room.
"Are you serious?" Madison whispers.
"I bet he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off of you," Adalynn says quietly.
"Men are feral when the woman they love gets pregnant," Madison adds.
I shake my head. These size four women don't have any idea. I don't begrudge them for it, but they can have all those cute maternity photos, and no one would bat an eye when they feed every single pregnancy craving they have. It would be so different with me. People are judgmental, and I already get looks when I shop locally and buy anything other than fresh produce and healthy food.
I wouldn't have a complex about my own weight on certain days if I didn't see the way people in public look at me. It doesn't happen as much here in town, but let me go to Whole Foods in Austin. Hell, in the city, people don't even try to hide their opinions. If they aren't staring, they're trying to be helpful by handing over unsolicited advice about what grocery items might be healthier. Even waitresses offer a diet soda when I ask for a sweet tea or a lemonade. People are hateful.
"Enough," Sage growls, and there's so much heat in her tone that all three of us dart our eyes in her direction. "If the man wanted someone else, he would have someone else. You need to stop with this shit and just accept that he cares for you."
"I know that's easy to say-"
"Easy for me?" my best friend says, pointing to the center of her chest. "It's not easy for me to say. I'm not in love and all blissed out on sex and happily ever afters. No offense."
Madison and Adalynn both grin at her.
"What I do know is that man didn't see another soul in that bar last night. No one can guarantee that he's your forever guy, but hell, Riley. What if he is? If you don't give him a chance, then you'll never know."
"And if he finds someone better?" I say, the threat of tears burning the backs of my eyes.
"There's no one better," Madison whispers. "I think you're perfect for him, and I think from what we saw last night that he's perfect for you."
"You looked happier than I've ever seen you look when he was standing there wrapped around you like he was afraid an inch of space would come between the two of you," Sage says. "When you actually just let yourself live in the moment, but you said he was different by the time you made it back to the car. I don't know if you realize it, but when he grinned at the waitress while paying for the two of y'all drinks, your demeanor changed. Not his. Your smile faded. Tension returned to your shoulders. It was as if you were building back up a wall just because he smiled at someone else."
"Did you see how pretty she is?" I mutter.
"She was very pretty," Sage answers. "Did you see that he didn't look twice at her? He didn't drop his eyes to her ass when she walked off. He didn't flirt with her in any way, but I think you saw things differently. I don't think it's fair to punish him for the pain he could cause when he hasn't done it yet."
"And probably never will," Madison adds.
"Thank you," I tell them, looking each one in the eye. "I'll take all of your advice and mull it over. Now, if you want anyone to eat at this party, then I have to get to work."
Sage frowns at me, but she knows me well enough to know that I'm done discussing the subject. It's bad enough that I'll be distracted on my own by thoughts of Mac. I can't have three people ganging up on me when I have my first paid job in a very long time to focus on.
Chapter 28
Mac
If my life were a movie, I'd probably be snuggled up with Riley in bed, refusing to face the world.
That's what's supposed to happen when you tell someone they're yours. Claiming a woman in a Hollywood movie would have them swooning and jumping for joy.