Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Raven and Presley give their stuff to Major and Ace, then head straight to Max.
“Jesus Christ, he’s milking this shit.”
I try to eye him sternly but fail, head-planting on his chest in a fit of laughter.
“Uncle Talon, are you getting in the pool with us?” Wyatt squirms his way between our legs.
I jump at the chill of his soaking wet body and he stills. “Did I hurt you, Aunt Lolo?”
“No, you startled me.”
“I didn’t hurt the baby?”
My heart squeezes as he stares at my stomach. Everyone’s excitement over my pregnancy paled in comparison to Wyatt's. While he didn’t have a clue about exactly what it all meant, he was over the moon to have a cousin—who he insisted was a boy.
“No, honey, the baby is well protected,” I assure him.
“Good, because Daddy says we have to be careful with you.”
“I’m not—”
“Your dad is right. We have to be careful with your Aunt Lolo,” Talon cuts me off.
“Can we sit her in the shade and you get in the pool now?”
I gaffe at the suggestion. “Why do I need to be exiled in the shade? I can get in the pool, too.”
“We’re about to team up, no girls allowed.”
“You know, this baby may be a girl and I hope you won’t leave her out.”
He looks like I crushed his little spirit and Talon coughs back a laugh.
“What? It’s true. This could be a girl.”
“Yeah, babe, it could be, but likely it isn’t.”
I want to argue with every single person who keeps insisting this is a boy, but it’s fruitless. Chances are super sperm heroes produce boys first.
“’Lo!”
I turn in the direction of my name and find Dad, Mom, Chase, and Bex standing on the patio. Chase gestures for me to join.
“Give us a minute, buddy. I’ll meet you in the pool,” Talon tells Wyatt and steers me toward my waiting family.
“What’s going on?” I ask when we get to them.
“I reached out to a friend today and the system is fixed,” Dad announces, and my stomach does a deep dive.
There was a malfunction in the testing system used to tabulate my exam results. What would have been a five-day waiting period has drawn out to twelve days. Having the wedding to plan and the house to concentrate on was the only thing keeping me sane.
Well, and Talon’s overbearing attention.
“Your results should be in your email,” Chase goes on.
I scan around at the party happening. Kids everywhere, Ford at the grill, Shayla, Harley, and Jewls behind the bar, while Tom is sitting with all the babies.
“It’s not the time. This is Max’s homecoming.”
“You honestly aren’t looking?” Bex taps her foot.
“I can’t. Today is going perfectly. I can’t risk ruining it.”
“Princess, it’s your call, but I think you should consider it.”
“What if I failed?”
“Then you will be surrounded by people who love you,” Mom offers softly. “But I agree that it’s your call.”
“We’ll wait until tomorrow. Let’s get a beer.” Chase takes a step forward and I yank on his arm.
“That’s it? No argument?”
“Nope, you obviously don’t think you passed. If that’s the case, no need to sour the mood. I’m here for a party.”
My blood pressure skyrockets. “This is my future and you’re worried about a party?”
“Sure.” He shrugs, taking Bex’s hand. “I’m thirsty.”
“You’re thirsty?!”
“I’ve been craving one of Shayla’s margaritas.” Bex moves with him to the stairs.
“Are you serious?” I screech.
“What’s the problem, Wills? You don’t want to know, we can wait until tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait until tomorrow knowing it’s sitting in my inbox!”
Chase and Bex both smile triumphantly, and I want to scratch the self-satisfied smirks off their faces.
Dad chuckles under his breath and Mom turns her head.
Talon has the decency to remain straight-faced, leading me to my laptop, which mysteriously is sitting on the kitchen counter, open to my email.
I notice the address immediately, my nerves spiking as it taunts me on the screen.
“Want me to open it?” he offers, and I nod, burying my face in his shoulder.
After a few seconds, his lips brush my earlobe. “Take a look, beautiful.”
I crack one eye, scanning over the words until I zone in on the most important one.
Passed.
My breath catches and I choke on a little sob.
“Proud of you, baby.” Talon threads his fingers through my hair, bending closer. Before his lips touch mine, I’m ripped away and jostled into a shrieking Bex.
“I knew you could do it!”
I’m numb at the moment, being passed around to everyone. Their words are a jumbled mess in my head as I struggle to believe them.
I did it…
The excitement dies down, Dad’s mouth forming a hard line. “Willow?”
Talon reclaims me, ducking into my line of sight. His gorgeous face brings it all back into perspective.
“I did it.”
He crushes me to him. “I never had any doubt.”
There’s something in his voice and my Spidey senses perk up. “Did you already know?”