Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I press my lips together until the trembling stops. It feels like I’ve been in an emotional free fall since the day I stared at that positive sign on the stick test, and I still haven’t figured out how to catch myself. When a wave of nausea rolls through me without warning, I draw in air and wait it out, fingers digging into the cool marble.
The appointment Rina scheduled is on my calendar for next week. I haven’t let myself think too hard about the ultrasound or the bloodwork—the moment everything becomes undeniably real.
The goal for today is simple. Survive Thanksgiving without throwing up on the centerpiece.
There’s a light tap on the bedroom door. “Kia? Can I come in?”
“Yeah,” I call, stepping out of the bathroom.
Rina slips in, wearing a deep-green dress that makes her eyes pop. Her hair falls down her back in a dark, silky curtain, and there’s an expression on her face I now recognize. It’s not just happiness that radiates from her but a sense of belonging, as if she finally found her place in this world and the person she’s supposed to be with.
As soon as her gaze lands on me, she smiles. “I knew that dress was made for you.”
Heat climbs up my neck. “Thanks. I love it.”
“You look absolutely gorgeous,” she says. “Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner with a bunch of overgrown hockey players who’ll hopefully be on their best behavior.”
I huff out a laugh. “That feels a little too optimistic.”
“I’m trying to manifest it.” She adjusts my neckline, fussing like I imagine an older sister would. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah,” I lie, then reconsider the impulse. “Maybe a little off. You know how it is.”
“I certainly do. Although, your morning sickness has been worse than mine.” Rina searches my face. “If it gets bad, we can always make up an excuse. Hugh and Evelyn will understand.”
Her thoughtfulness makes my eyes burn. I shake my head, more determined than ever to put on a brave face and get through this evening. “No. I’ll be fine.”
“All right. But if you start feeling sick, let me know and we’ll take off. Deal?”
I nod. “Deal.”
She links her arm through mine. “Don’t worry. We’ll get through this together.”
We step into the hallway just as Oliver appears from the living room, shrugging on a navy jacket over his light-blue shirt.
His gaze lands on Rina, and everything about him changes. His shoulders relax and his mouth curves up. “Wow. You both look incredible. Are we ready to go?”
“Almost,” Rina says, stepping closer and adjusting his lapels. As soon as she does, he bends to kiss her, one palm settling over her abdomen.
It’s ridiculously sweet.
The intimacy of the gesture hits me straight in the ribs. Oliver, who once treated relationships like a disease, is going to be an incredible father.
And my baby won’t have one at all.
That thought hits so hard, I have to look away, pretending to fumble with the strap of my purse so neither of them notice the wetness gathering in my eyes.
There are times when I feel like an intruder around them. As if I’m trespassing on the small, self-contained bubble they’ve built for themselves all the while lingering at the edges, carrying a secret, and wondering what it would feel like to have someone rest a hand on my stomach and be happy about it instead of calling it a problem that needs to be erased.
“Kia?” Oliver’s voice jerks me back to the present. “Are you good?”
“Yup.” I force a smile. “Just thinking about how much food I plan to put away.”
“Totally valid. I’ve been doing the same.” He slips an arm around Rina’s waist and steers her toward the elevator. “I’m sure there’ll be enough to feed an army.”
“Or, at the very least, a hockey team,” Rina adds with a laugh.
Once in the elevator, Oliver murmurs against Rina’s temple. With a chuckle, she covers his hand with hers.
I really am happy for them. I just wish it didn’t make the ache inside me feel so raw.
The drive to Hugh’s penthouse takes about ten minutes. Rina fills me in on who’ll be there—Steele and Lilah, River, Callie and her daughter Nora, Jax, Knox, and Laiken with his daughter, Elody.
My belly tilts sideways at the mention of Laiken.
“You met most of the guys at poker night when you babysat Elody,” Oliver adds. “They’re a good bunch. Mostly.”
I nod as my thoughts drift to the last time I saw Laiken Lennox. You could tell exactly what kind of father he was by the way his expression softened anytime he looked at his daughter. There’s a quiet intensity about the man that’s lingered in my thoughts long after that night.
“Sure,” I say lightly. “It’ll be fun.”
Hugh’s building is all sleek glass and polished stone, the entrance flanked by warm lighting and a doorman in a tailored coat who looks like he stepped out of a luxury ad. After the valet takes Oliver’s keys, we head inside, the revolving doors whispering to a stop behind us.