Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Surprised, I drew back and asked, “You do?”
“Yeah, I do. I won’t lie and say I’m not worried, but yes. It’s a great thing you’re doing.”
Laughing lightly, I folded the dishtowel and set it on the counter. “Well, I guess for the next nine months, I won’t have to worry about what potential dates might think, since I don’t think I’ll be dating at all. I better make sure I have plenty of batteries.”
Confused, Gavin asked, “Why?”
“For my vibrator. I heard women get crazy horny during pregnancy.”
Gavin choked and stumbled back a step. “Warn a guy, would you?”
I laughed as he jokingly pounded his chest, coughing. Then sobered as I said, “Thank you for not being negative about this.”
“It’s your body, Brystol. No one has the right to tell you what you can and can’t do with it.”
My heart felt like it tumbled in my chest. When Gavin’s gaze met mine, I swore the air crackled between us, and I fought the urge to step closer and brush my lips against his.
Thankfully, his phone rang, and I jumped.
After he pulled out his phone from his pocket, he frowned. “It’s, um…it’s Cindy.”
I forced a smile. “Well, we wouldn’t want to keep the child waiting.”
He shot me a look. “She’s not a child.”
As I headed out of the kitchen, I walked backward to face him. “Have you seen proof of her age? She looks twelve.”
“Jealous, are we?”
“Ha!” I scoffed. “You wish.”
He swept his finger over the phone. “Hey, Cindy, how’s it going?”
I turned and headed out of the kitchen as fast as I could. I could hardly stand to see Gavin with Cindy. The last thing I wanted was to listen to them talk all sweet to each other on the phone.
We did it. The procedure to transfer the embryos was done, and I didn’t feel any different than I did before it all happened.
Evelyn and Denny had hovered over me like a child afterward, and when they insisted on staying with me at my house, I had to draw a line in the sand.
“Guys, I’m tired and just want to sit here and watch Hallmark movies. I’m okay and I don’t need babysitters.”
Evelyn hugged me. “Thank you so much, Brystol. I’ll never be able to repay you for this.”
Joking, I gave them a wicked smile. “Well, I have always wanted to go to Belize.”
“Anything you want,” Denny added as he hugged me after Evelyn stepped aside.
“I was kidding. But if we’re offering trips, yeah, I could totally be down for Belize.”
They both laughed, and I motioned them to head to the door. “I’ll be fine, I promise.”
After more hugs and thank yous, I finally got Evelyn and Denny out of my house. I shut the door and leaned against it. My hands went to my stomach, and I closed my eyes.
“Please take, little one. Please take…because your momma and daddy really want you.”
I walked down Main Street next to Aurora as we attempted to find everything in the scavenger hunt.
“You sure are quiet today,” Aurora stated, bumping me with her arm.
Trying to smile, I replied, “A lot on my mind, I guess.”
“Want to talk about it?”
I felt guilty, not telling Aurora about the surrogacy, and I was dying to talk to someone. I was so desperate I almost called Gavin that morning. I could have called Harper. She’d known Evelyn and Denny had asked me, but she was so busy with her flower shop and her new house I didn’t want to bother her. At least, not until I knew for sure whether or not I was pregnant.
“I’ve got a little bit more time before I have to be back at the toy store, want to grab some coffee?”
Glancing at her watch, Aurora nodded. “I’ve got time for a coffee.”
We started toward Timeless Cup, and I sighed in relief when I saw it wasn’t very crowded. Probably because it was a beautiful day with a high of seventy-five. Not bad for mid-September.
I pointed out a table. “I’ll order. Pumpkin spice latte?”
Aurora nodded. “Thanks, I’ll get next time.”
I got our drinks and joined her at our table. It was tucked into the corner and would give us plenty of privacy, if I kept my voice low.
“Thank you,” Aurora said as she took the coffee cup.
Sliding into the seat, I let out a long breath.
Aurora immediately pounced. “Okay, something has been off with you for the last month, Brystol.”
After glancing around the coffee shop, I leaned in closer. “I wasn’t going to tell anyone until I was past the recommended time. But I have to talk to someone about it, and my mother still worries I’m doing the wrong thing.”
Aurora’s brows drew together. “What’s going on?”
I drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “Evelyn and Denny asked me to be a surrogate for them.”