Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“I… I’d love to meet her.”
“I want you to be happy here.” I drop the bag on the end of my bed and set the baby carrier in the middle of the mattress. Then I go to Aubrey and cup her cheeks with my palms, brushing my lips against hers. “I tried to make sure you have everything else you need. There’s a stroller in the back of the Rover that goes with her car seat, a changing table and diaper disposal thing in the bathroom, a state-of-the-art monitoring system we can use when she’s sleeping, and a fuck-ton of outfits for her stacked on the shelves in my closet. Oh, and a whole mess of stuff in the kitchen in case you decide to bottle feed her.”
“I… I… I don’t even know what to say,” she stammers.
“Say that you’ll stay.”
“Okay,” she whispers with tears filling her eyes. “But promise you’ll tell me if we become too much.”
I ignore her statement and lead her over to the bed. “Why don’t you lie down for a little bit while Jenna’s sleeping? And I’ll make something for us to eat later.”
“You’re going to cook?”
I turn to look at her as I unhook Jenna from her car seat. “Okay, I’ll order us something later,” I amend, catching her smile as I place Jenna in her bassinet while Aubrey gets comfortable in my bed.
“Thank you.”
“Anything.” I walk to where she’s laying and kiss the top of her head. Before I even leave the room, she’s fast asleep, so I grab the screen for the monitor and bring it into the living room, leaving the door open a crack behind me. I’m not sure how long they’ll sleep, but my guess is it won’t be long before Jenna will need to eat again.
I hurry over to my laptop and fire it up then take it with me to the couch. The last couple days have been too busy for me to worry about anything but Aubrey and the baby. But now that I have them home with me where they belong, I start my search for the man I plan on killing.
Chapter 11
AUBREY
“I HAVE BAD news,” Justin says, coming into the bedroom, and my heart drops into my stomach.
“Bad news?” I repeat, studying him as he takes Jenna who is asleep in my arms and moves her to the bassinet.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“Okay.” I wait for him to say more, but he doesn’t. “Are you going to tell me what the bad news that’s going to be okay is?”
“My parents will be here in half an hour.”
My head jerks back and I stare at him in shock. I really hope my foggy brain imagined what he just said. Even with all of the help he’s giving me, I feel exhausted. Jenna barely cries, but she only catnaps on and off between feedings every hour and a half, so I’m not getting much sleep. “I’m sorry, but did you just say your parents are coming over?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t put my mom off any longer. She’s been calling me at least twice a day, asking if we’re ready for visitors yet. This morning, I guess she decided to skip the call, because my dad just sent me a text to let me know they’re on their way.”
I get up, taking the baby monitor with me, and leave the room, knowing he’ll follow. I hear him shut the door softly behind us and go to the kitchen, setting the monitor on the counter before I turn to face him.
“I’m not ready for visitors.”
“Stella stopped by yesterday afternoon,” he points out, grabbing my hand and leading me to the couch, taking a seat before pulling me down onto his lap.
“Yeah, but that was just Stella. I don’t need to impress her, because she already knows me. She doesn’t care what I look like. Your parents are a different story.” I blow out a breath. “The last time I remember brushing my hair was a few days ago when I was still in the hospital. I’ve taken a couple quick showers, but I haven’t had time to shave my legs. I’m in no way prepared to meet your parents.”
“Baby, relax. I’m sure my mom and dad remember what it’s like to have a newborn. They’re not going to judge you for being a new mom.” I snort, and he tugs me closer and rests his chin on my shoulder. “Trust me. You couldn’t look bad if you tried.”
I melt against him. “There’s no way I’d feel comfortable meeting your parents without at least taking a shower, washing my hair, and changing into my own clothes. So if they’re really on their way over here, I better get moving.”
He loosens his hold on me, and I slide off his lap.
“Go on,” he urges. “I’ve got Jenna covered if she wakes up.”