Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Are you going to Dallas for your birthday?”
“That depends.” I hold her tighter, loving the way her bump presses against me. “Are you going with me?”
“I’d love to,” she says, reaching up and pecking my lips. “We can make a long weekend out of it. I have tons of PTO, so we can leave Friday if you want and stay through Monday.”
“That sounds perfect. Now, let’s check out so we can go back to the house. I’m starved.”
“You’re hungry already?” Paige asks incredulously. “We just ate lunch.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t have any dessert.”
I waggle my brows, and her eyes light up knowingly.
“Well, in that case, let’s go.”
“Holy shit, I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever!” Dustin pulls me in for a hug and slaps me on the back. “How does it feel to be an old man?”
“Thirty-five is hardly old,” I scoff. “And you just saw me in our meeting yesterday.”
I might be working remotely until we figure out what to do about me leaving Bradford since I’ll be moving to Rosemary permanently soon, but my brothers and I video-chat damn near every day.
“Yeah, but it’s not the same as seeing your ugly mug in person.”
Everyone laughs, but when I glance at Paige, I notice she’s sporting a frown.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Yeah,” she says, plastering a fake smile on her face.
If we weren’t in front of my entire family, I would push her, knowing damn well something is wrong, but I let it go for now.
“Oh, Paige!” my mom coos. “Look at your bump. May I touch it?”
“Of course,” Paige says, giving my mom a genuine smile. “And feel this.”
She takes my mom’s hand and places it on her belly. She holds it there for a few seconds while I grin, knowing what’s about to happen.
“Oh my God!” Mom shrieks, tears filling her eyes. “Was that…did he just kick?”
“He did,” Paige says with a grin.
We started feeling him kick a few days ago, and when Paige is asleep and my mind is running, I can lie there for hours with my hand on her belly, waiting for our little guy to make an appearance.
“Can I feel?” Penny asks.
“Sure.” Paige guides her hand to her belly, and when the baby kicks, her face lights up again.
“I miss being pregnant.” Penny pouts to Carmine.
“Oh no. No way.” My brother laughs. “You can live vicariously through Paige. We agreed two and done.”
“I know, but what’s one more?” She flutters her lashes, and Carmine groans.
“We’ll talk about this later,” he says, making Penny grin.
There’s very little Carmine wouldn’t do for his wife, and I have no doubt that if she genuinely wants another baby, he’ll happily give it to her.
“Come sit,” Mom says, taking Paige’s hand and guiding her into the living room. “Tell me everything. How was your trip? How are you feeling? Have you started to get the baby’s room ready?”
We spend the day at my parents’ place. My dad grills while the kids play in the pool, and everyone eats their weight in delicious food.
I haven’t brought up to Dustin what Paige overheard, but when I find us alone in the kitchen while Paige is in the pool outside, I decide to mention it. It’s not that I’m mad. I know he wouldn’t say anything to hurt Paige, but he needs to be aware that she overheard so it doesn’t happen again.
“Paige overheard you and Valerie talking when we were here for Dad’s birthday.”
Dustin’s eyes go wide. “Oh shit.”
“Yeah. She thinks you guys don’t like her because you think she’s taking me away from the family business.”
“Fuck.” He shakes his head. “I don’t remember exactly what was said, but we’d never blame her, and we sure as hell didn’t mean to upset her. Valerie and I are worried about what it will mean for the future of Bradford. Dad’s been talking about maybe staying on as CEO a bit longer and training Valerie, but she’s afraid of not being able to fill your shoes. Everyone knows you’re the best at what you do. It’s like you were made to run Bradford, you know?”
Damn it, I know how much my mom has been looking forward to my dad retiring at the end of next year. She’s already started planning their vacations.
“I get it,” I tell him. “But we’ll figure it out. I can work remotely for the time being, and I can help train Valerie as well if she wants to take that leap.”
“It would help, but there are too many meetings you need to be in Dallas for, and when your son is here, you’re not going to want to be traveling back and forth.”
“I know,” I agree. “But we’ll handle it. And just for the record, both you and Valerie are more than qualified to take my place. You guys don’t give yourselves enough credit.”