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)
“Set up and ready to go,” Sarah confirms, gesturing toward the direction of the party room. “Anya’s been overseeing everything, so I’m sure it’s all set.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Sarah. Keep up the good work,” I say, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before continuing my rounds through the restaurant.
“Have you seen Felicity yet?” I ask Trudi, the bartender, as I make my way toward the kitchen.
She shrugs casually. “Nope. Maybe she’s in the party room.”
“Maybe,” I reply absentmindedly, pulling out my phone to check for any missed calls or messages from her.
Before I can type out a text, Felicity walks into Atta Boy’s, and for a moment, everything else fades away as I'm struck by her radiant beauty.
“Wow,” I breathe out, instinctively moving toward her.
“Shep, hey. Sorry, I’m late,” she says with a hint of apology.
I gently place my hands on her hips, savoring the warmth of her presence. “You’re right on time. You look absolutely amazing.”
She exhales with a hint of exasperation. “I feel like a cow.”
I chuckle softly. “Well, you don’t look like a cow. You’re beautiful.”
Felicity leans in to peck a brief kiss on my lips. “You’re too sweet. Seriously, how did I get so lucky?”
“I’m the lucky one,” I reply, returning her kiss and letting our lips linger together.
“Hey, Shepherd,” Helena interrupts, approaching us from behind.
“Miss Lark, hello,” I greet her, reaching to take the bags she’s carrying. “What do you have here?”
“Baby shower things. Felicity thought it would be nice to give all the girls who helped organize everything some gifts,” Helena explains.
“That’s incredibly thoughtful,” I remark to Felicity. “But today is about you. Remember that.”
Felicity smiles gratefully. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, because once that baby comes, everyone’s going to forget all about you,” Helena teases as she heads toward the back room for the party.
I shrug playfully. “I won’t forget about you.”
Felicity beams at me. “I won’t let you.”
I lean in to give her one more kiss, right there in the entryway of the restaurant, not caring who might be watching.
Now that Felicity is carrying my child and we’ve already decided to move in together, I can’t help but feel the urge to make another big move—like asking her to marry me. But I’m uncertain of how she’d react.
What would Felicity do if I proposed?
Are we moving too quickly?
I'm afraid that this bubble of happiness we've built might burst once the baby arrives. It feels like everything is going so well, I'm waiting for something to go wrong.
I push the negative thoughts away and think about how I can show Felicity I’m serious about having a future with her.
For now, I’m going to focus on the baby shower. Baby steps. I don’t want to scare Felicity off. I don’t want her to ever question how I feel about her.
Do I love her?
I’m honestly not even a hundred percent sure at this point. Does she love me?
Is it crazy that I’m too afraid to ask her because I think she’d feel the same way I do. Like maybe things are moving a bit too quickly and we’re rushing things.
But I know I don’t want anyone else. I know I want her.
It’s hard to go from a one-night stand to married in the course of days. I feel like that’s what we’ve done. We’re moving quickly, and even though the past months we’ve grown to know each other better, I still feel like there’s something we’re missing.
I gaze at Felicity from across the restaurant and she smiles at me, and her whole beautiful face lights up, and the way the sun pours in through the windows, making her brown eyes shine bright has me nearly out of breath. Like I just ran a mile.
My heart squeezes in my chest.
Fuck. How did I get so lucky?
I love her.
There’s no questioning it now. I love this woman, and I’d do anything for her.
I think briefly what it would be like to not have Felicity with me every day, and I can’t bear the thought of it.
That’s how I know.
I’m in love.
I head into the back room, ready to play silly baby games, and watch Felicity smile with her friends as they get ready to welcome my new son into the world.
Damn. I’m going to have a son.
My heart beats a bit faster in my chest, and I smile. I’m going to be the best father I can be.
And the best husband.
Because I’m going to ask her to marry me.
Chapter 27
Felicity
This baby shower has been more than I ever imagined. Anya, Hartford, and Emmie really came together and made it magical. The baby blue decorations draped throughout the room, with pops of white from daisies on the tables to napkins, created a serene yet festive atmosphere. Elegant blue and white balloons float around, and the centerpiece is a stunning diaper cake with tiny baby shoes and ribbons. Soft fairy lights twinkle around the room, adding a warm and enchanting glow.