Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“Damn, don’t do that,” he says, staring at me.
“I can’t help it, this is amazing. How’d you learn to cook like this?”
He grins, finishing the mouthful of salad he has in his mouth. “Nice way to distract.” We both smile and he continues, “My mom always had us helping in the kitchen. She said she couldn’t send us out into the world until she knew we could feed ourselves.” We both laugh and I admire his mother even more now. “But this salad is Griffin’s recipe. He showed me at Atta Boy how to make it when I told him how much I liked it.”
“I’m glad you learned because this is my new favorite salad.”
My words cause him to smile as his eyes soften. “I’m glad.”
Once we finish our salad, he gets up to get our dinner served. A perfectly roasted chicken with garlic and herbs, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. He places my plate in front of me and sits back down.
As we enjoy dinner, Shepherd lifts his eyes to mine and I notice the corner of his lips lifting. "I can't believe we're finally here," he says, a smile spreading across his face. "I've dreamed about this moment for so long. I want our baby to have the best life possible."
I return his smile, feeling my eyes shimmering with emotion. "Me too. I've been thinking a lot about what kind of parent I want to be. I want our boy to grow up feeling loved and supported, no matter what."
Shepherd nods, his expression serious. "Absolutely. I want to create a home filled with love and laughter. I want us to be there for every milestone, big or small. I want to teach him to be kind and brave, to follow his dreams. No matter how impossible they feel."
My eyes soften as I think about our future. "I want to make traditions of our own. Maybe Sunday family dinners or annual trips to the beach. Little things that will become special memories for us and our son."
Shepherd's face lights up with excitement. "I love that idea, but not Sunday dinners. Those will only belong to my mom, but we will have Sunday dinner there with my entire family and that’s kind of amazing.” His eyes lock with mine, holding emotions I’ve never seen before. “And I want to make sure we're always open and honest with each other, setting an example of communication and trust. No more questioning what the other is thinking, feeling, or wanting. I want our son to feel like he can come to us with anything."
I reach across the table and squeeze his hand, feeling a surge of what I can only describe as love for this unbelievable man in front of me. “I love that,” I say, instead of anything else.
"I know we're going to be amazing parents, Felicity. I can already see us teaching him how to ride a bike, cheering him on at his first baseball game, and helping with homework."
I giggle, imagining those moments. "And let's not forget the sleepless nights, the diaper changes, and the endless piles of laundry."
He laughs, a twinkle in his eye. "Those too. But we'll get through it all together. I know we will."
We pause for a moment, thinking about the depth of our conversation. Shepherd reaches out and gently places his hand on my growing belly. "I promise to always be there for you and our boy. To support you both, no matter what."
I cover his hand with mine, feeling a sense of peace and contentment wash over me. My body is now on fire with need for this man as I say, "And I promise the same. We're in this together, Shepherd. Now and always."
Chapter 24
Shepherd
I know we don’t have all the specifics worked out. Will she move in with me? Or will we get a place together?
Or will I live here with her?
There are so many unanswered questions, and I know we’ll figure everything out.
But not right now.
I know the look she’s giving me. My girl needs me.
And I always need her. It’s insane how badly I do. Every time I’m around her my body grows hungry for her.
We make it to the bedroom and get ready for bed, and I spoon her against me. I really want this to work, and after her scare in the ER, I don’t want to push her for anything she doesn’t want to do.
But I want to kiss her again. I want to break all these rules she placed over our friends-with-benefits arrangement.
Because she’s mine now.
I reposition her body so she’s facing me, and she smiles warmly up at me. My heart pounds wildly in my chest. “There’s something I’ve wanted to do for a really long time.”
She blinks up at me. “What’s that?”