Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
I couldn’t seem to stop my hand from slipping to my stomach. Which was fine in private when I was picturing the future and how my body was going to be changing. But in front of others, it gave my situation away. Whether I meant to or not.
Kit’s gaze followed, then flicked back up.
“Does Nave know?”
My hand dropped. “Yes.”
To that, Kit’s brows pinched. “But then why are you here?”
“What?”
“If he knows, why are you living in the motorhome? Do I need to go take a visit to my Uncle Laz about it?”
“Your Uncle Laz?”
“Nave’s dad.”
“Why would you need to talk to Nave’s dad?”
“So he can knock some sense into his son.”
Oh.
Oooh.
“No, no. You misunderstand. It’s not Nave’s baby.”
“You sure?”
“Trust me, I wish it could be Nave’s. It’s… someone else’s. I just had nowhere to go, and Nave once offered to help me get away from my ex. I finally managed to call in that favor.”
“So the ex…” Kit gestured toward my stomach.
“Yes.”
“Must be a real shithead if you’re willing to do this whole thing alone.” She paused. “Well, no. You’re not alone. You have me and Ariah,” she said, wrapping an arm around my waist as we started to walk back toward the houses. “And, of course, Nave.”
“I don’t think I, you know, have Nave. I don’t think I’ll be seeing him much anymore.”
As much as my heart ached at that reality.
“You sure about that?”
Kit nodded her chin.
When I followed her gaze, I saw Nave slamming the door of a black SUV, revealing the bags in his hands.
“Oh, hey,” he called as we drew closer.
“Were your ears ringing?” Kit asked.
“What were you saying about me?”
“Well, I was about to go to your father to have him kick your ass for shirking your responsibilities. Until I realized it isn’t yours.”
“Oh, that. I didn’t want to share her secret with you guys without her permission.”
“Eh, it’s fine. A baby around here would be fun. Okay. I’ll leave you two to talk. I have some chores to finish up.”
“Thanks for the tour. And the snacks,” I said, waving the basket full of eggs and fruit and veg on top.
“Just drop the eggs at my door when you’re done putting stuff away.”
With that, Kit was off, leaving me alone with Nave.
“I didn’t think you’d be by so soon.”
“I wanted to get you some essentials. But it looks like the girls are stocking you up.”
“Yes, but also… are those chips?” I asked, spying the bag poking out.
“Okay. Maybe less essentials and more about the fun foods.”
“Come on in,” I invited, picking up Edith to set her inside, ignoring the way my stomach twisted at not wiping her feet.
“How was your first night?” Nave asked, coming in behind me as Edith rushed up to the front of the motorhome to jump up into the passenger seat, turn in a circle, and go to sleep.
“It was good. Edith and I crashed hard. Then we woke up to a gift basket—er, cooler—on the front steps.”
“Did you get some of Ariah’s mozzarella?”
“Yes! And tomatoes, bread, basil.”
“Like the universe was begging you to have a caprese salad.”
“On bread,” I agreed.
“On bread,” he said, setting the bags on the counter. “This is not quite so healthy,” he warned. Then he started pulling out items: a bag of chips, chocolate chip cookies, granola bars, sugar, instant oatmeal, and cereal. “This is a little better.” Milk, creamer, pasta, rice, and other pantry staples followed.
He followed my instructions on where to put things, but there were still a few bags leftover when he was done.
“What’s all that?”
“Non-edible necessities.” He pulled out a pack of socks, underwear, shirts, shorts, and pajama sets. Not a single item in the bunch was the color white. “You’re going to need more than this, but I figured this would hold you over while you settle in. Then we can maybe talk about hitting a store. Getting you anything else you need. Or want.”
“I’m sure this will be enough to—”
“Babe,” he cut me off, shaking his head.
“Okay. I might need one more set of clothes,” I conceded.
“Well, for the time being. But within a few months…”
“Oh, right,” I agreed. “I need a job.”
“Let’s not worry about that now.”
I couldn’t do that, though.
Life cost money.
That was just a worldwide truth.
I’d lived in a bubble for the past several years where all the bills were paid, and the fridge was filled, and I didn’t have to think about it.
Granted, I hated being kept.
But I forgot how many little things you had to think about. Hell, I didn’t even know what anything cost anymore. Let alone what kind of job I could possibly get that wouldn’t leave some kind of digital footprint for Ben to follow to where I was.
“I see the gears turning,” Nave said, making his way over toward me, taking my hands, and pulling me down onto the loveseat.