Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
FORTY-NINE
PIPER
“Okay, so I think I can get on board with this whole mocktail thing. Because yummy…” Raven slurped from the straw of her frilly drink.
“And here I thought I was going to be bringing you margaritas to the hospital,” Charleigh teased.
Raven giggled and rubbed her hand over her swollen belly. “Well, a celebratory party might be in order, but I think we’re going to have to hold off on it for a day or two.”
From where she sat next to me, Emery laughed with a slight shake of her head. “And that celebrating you’re going to be doing is holding that baby nonstop. I bet you don’t put her down for a solid thirty days.”
“I’m pretty sure Otto will have something to say about that. That man is already obsessed with our Little Luna.” Joy radiated from Raven. Just this all-around glow that she couldn’t hide if she tried.
“Knowing him, he’ll just have you both on his lap,” Charleigh said with a sip of her margarita. “Because that obsessed extends to you.”
“Can you blame him?” Raven hiked a teasing shoulder. “You have seen me, right?”
Lightness weaved through me. A smile constantly flitting across my mouth as I hung out with the three of them.
We were at one of the trendy bars on Culberry Street for happy hour. Emery and I had rushed over so we could join Raven and Charleigh after work. It was Friday, and we’d been super busy, running and on our feet the entire day, so it felt amazing to be sitting.
Honestly, though, the real reason it felt amazing was because of the people who surrounded me.
These incredible women who’d invited me into their fold. Accepted me as if I was already a part of it.
A family I never imagined I could have.
Of course, I itched to get home to Finn, Nelly, and Theo.
Theo who had slept in my bed every night this week.
Soundly.
His arms secure and his tortured heart at peace. As if he had found respite in me, the way I had in him.
He had taken me every chance that we could find a private moment.
Our love so fierce, even though he’d yet to say the words, the same as I hadn’t found the words to confess the rest of my secrets to him.
But they had begun to bubble. The truths right there, burning on my tongue.
“I don’t know how you’re even here,” I told Raven as I took a sip of my wine, joining in on the banter.
“Because I told him I was going to make it worth his while when I got home.” Raven’s dark eyes gleamed with the suggestion. “You know he’s over there in a stir, all worked up thinking about it. The anticipation makes it all the sweeter. I bet all your men are doing the exact same thing.”
She pointed around at each of us.
Wings flapped in my belly at the thought.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of Theo’s texts I shared with him a few minutes ago.
Theo
Wait until I get you alone tonight. Been thinking about being inside you all day. Fantasizing about all the ways I’m going to fuck you. It’s going to be rough tonight, Little Liar. Making me wait the way you have.
Me
You’re the one who insisted I go out, and you’d hang out with Finn while I’m with the girls.
Theo
Doesn’t mean I’m not over here imagining peeling you out of those clothes and getting to the goodness underneath.
I couldn’t wait.
“Look at you over there, biting your lip and your cheeks flaming red.”
I looked up over my glass at Charleigh who was grinning like mad.
Clearing my throat, I tried to play it off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m talking about the way you just combusted thinking about Theo waiting at home for you.” Charleigh drew a circle in the air around me like she was offering proof.
“Yes, I do think it’s time you tell us about how that man rocks your world.” Raven set an elbow on the table and propped her chin on her fist like she was waiting for me to tell her the most interesting story in the world.
A mesh of embarrassment and glee worked through my consciousness, and I curled my hands around the wineglass as I warred with what to say. So unaccustomed to having relationships like this. Loving that now I did.
“It’s safe to say, I’ve been rocked,” I said, unable to stop the grin from taking to my face.
A round of shrieks and squeals went up around the table, and Raven stamped her feet on the floor.
“I knew the two of you had been getting naked.” Raven sat back in her chair and pressed her hand over her heart like she was proud of me. “I mean, there was no question that man is completely feral over you. Never in my life did I think that one would fall, and the moment you stepped foot in town, he tripped. Crash. Kaboom.”