Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
“Mom would carry the baby in her womb if we used IVF to fertilize my eggs with your sperm.”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about anyone’s womb, and the rest hardly made sense too.
Greta took my hand and explained everything again, even slower, as if I were a small child. When she was done, I was completely stunned. “That’s possible?”
“Yeah.”
“Would you want to do it?”
I couldn’t deny it. The prospect of Greta and me having a child one day made me deliriously happy. Yet, I didn’t want to push Greta toward something she wasn’t comfortable with. Her expression was difficult to read. “What about you?”
One corner of her mouth tilted up. “Answering a question with a question in turn…But I started it, so I guess it’s only fair.”
I’d promised myself I would be honest with Greta. My first marriage had been full of lies and deceit, I didn’t want this with Greta. “I want to do it, yes.”
Greta blew out a breath and gave me a small smile. “Me too. Not now, but in a few years.”
I leaned over, cupped her head and pulled her in for a kiss.
When we pulled up in front of the Trevisan’ house, Maximus was already waiting in front of it. He and Sara lived in an apartment in the city close to her parents and siblings, but Maximus came here often. His hands in his pockets, I could see the tension in his body when I got out of the car. I wasn’t sure if it was because of Greta and their families’ history or because things with Sara were still difficult.
He strode over to us while I lifted Greta out of my G-Class. I didn’t want her to jump out yet. Her knee still needed time to heal.
Maximus patted my back then he gave Greta a cautious smile and righted the cap he was wearing as if he needed to occupy his hands.
Her answering smile was without reservations. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Amo’s told me so much about you so it’s great to finally see you in real life.”
Some of the tension leaked from Maximus. “Sadly, Amo has been very close-lipped about you for a long time so you were the mystery woman.”
Greta laughed. “It was complicated.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I said.
Greta’s entire face lit up when she turned her attention to the closest enclosure where several dogs were begging for attention. She gave Maximus’ a hopeful expression. “Can I go over to them?”
He shrugged and motioned her to go ahead. “These are the socialized ones, so you can even pat them if they don’t shy back. The dogs in the kennels farther down are unpredictable though.”
Greta nodded and slowly walked over to the fence. She still couldn’t bend her knee fully so she was limping.
Maximus stepped up beside me and squeezed my shoulder. “I never quite got it but seeing how you look at her now, I get why you went through all the trouble.”
“It was worth it.”
Maximus’ eyes reflected his own conflict.
“It’ll be worth it with Sara too.”
“I know,” he said quietly. “And I’m doing all I can to make it work.”
“Maybe she and Greta can become friends. Sara is pretty quiet and thoughtful like Greta.”
Maximus nodded. “That might work. She’s at her parents’ house today. Primo’s on his way here. Mom has prepared lunch, in case Greta is willing to eat with the unwanted part of her family.”
I didn’t have a doubt that Greta would say yes. She didn’t hold the grudge her father kept up for the most insane reasons. “Greta, should we stay for lunch? Cara, Maximus’ mom, cooked for us.”
She turned away from the Pitpulls she’d been petting through the fence and her entire face lit up. “I’d love to meet them!”
I gave Maximus a I-told-you-so look. He stifled a smile. “I’ll tell my mom so she can really get going. I can give Greta a more detailed tour later.”
“I’ll try to tear her away from the dogs.”
I went over to her. She looked as if she couldn’t be happier. “I miss working in my own sanctuary.”
Most of it had been destroyed by the fire and Remo hadn’t allowed Greta to return there. “Your animals are all taken care of.”
“I know, they found good homes but I miss working with animals.”
“I talked to Growl a few days ago.”
She straightened, curiosity lighting up her face. I’d always preferred women with very long hair, but Greta with her chin-length bob made me reconsider my past preferences. Of course, I still couldn’t wait for her hair to grow back. She tugged a strand behind her ear. “I’m still getting used to it too. I’ve never had short hair. I miss being able to put my hair up in a ponytail so it doesn’t get in the way.”