Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
A soft knock on the door startled Skye, and she dried her face with a hand towel, trying to do what she could to get herself back to looking presentable. “I’m okay, Tripp,” she said, knowing he was probably worried about her. “I just need a few more minutes and then I’ll come back to the table.”
“It’s Chloe. Can I come in?”
Skye hesitated, surprised to hear the woman’s voice on the other side of the door. On one hand, she wasn’t ready to face anyone yet, but on the other hand it had been kind and considerate of Chloe to check on her.
Skye liked Chloe. In the short time they’d been in the kitchen before joining the guys in the backyard, she already felt as though they’d formed a quick friendship. Of course, Chloe had been curious about her and Tripp, and somehow the other woman had asked all the right questions, prompting Skye to reveal that she’d hadn’t just met Tripp recently. So, Chloe was privy to the knowledge that she and Tripp had dated when he’d been living in Boston years ago, and that they had recently reconnected.
Another knock jolted Skye out of her thoughts, a persistent Chloe clearly reminding her that she was still waiting for a response.
Skye didn’t want to be rude to Chloe when the other woman was just expressing concern, so she exhaled a deep breath, and opened the door, forcing a smile. “Sorry about that. I’m not sure what came over me.”
Chloe’s perfect blonde brows lifted slightly, as if not quite believing Skye’s lie. “How about we sit down somewhere quiet for a few minutes,” she suggested, obviously sensing that Skye wasn’t ready to return to the dining room just yet. “Come on. Follow me.”
Chloe turned and walked farther down the hall, and Skye followed her into what appeared to be a guest bedroom. Chloe sat down on the bed, and Skye settled in beside her.
Chloe handed her the bottle of water she’d brought, and Skye accepted it gratefully. “Thank you,” she said, then took a drink, the cool water feeling so good on her parched throat.
The other woman tipped her head to the side, a knowing glimmer in her eyes. “That queasy pregnancy sickness is the worst, isn’t it?”
Surprise shot through Skye, and she almost choked on her next sip of water. Oh, Chloe was clever, blatantly calling her out, and while Skye knew she could deny being pregnant, the truth would come out soon enough, anyway. And she honestly didn’t want to lie to this woman who been nothing but open and friendly with her.
“Yes, it is,” she admitted quietly.
Chloe nodded in understanding. “Do you want to talk about it?”
There was no judgement or pressure in her voice. Just the offer to be a listening ear if Skye wanted one. “I’m not sure what to say.” As much as she liked Chloe, she wasn’t at the point where she felt comfortable sharing the details of the baby pact she’d made with Tripp. That was personal and private between the two of them.
“Does Tripp know?” Chloe asked curiously.
Skye smiled, remembering how excited he’d been to see those two lines on the pregnancy test. “Yes. We just weren’t going to say anything to the family until I had a chance to see a doctor. And I didn’t think today would be the right day to make that announcement, anyway, when it’s all about remembering Whitney.”
Chloe grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I can assure you that nothing would make Audrey and Kurt happier than knowing they have another grandchild to look forward to. Today isn’t just about celebrating Whitney’s life. It’s about celebrating family, which you are now clearly a part of forever.”
Skye’s throat grew tight with emotion. Everything was so different with Tripp, his family so warm and accepting and genuine. Jack’s parents had been cold and distant, never truly embracing her as part of the family. She’d always felt like an outsider, like she wasn’t good enough for their son, but she’d also come to learn that his entire family was dysfunctional and their ambivalence had nothing to do with her.
“But I understand that you and Tripp need to decide when the time is right to make the announcement,” Chloe went on. “I only just met you, but just know that I’m happy for the both of you. I saw the way that Tripp looked at you the night of the charity auction, and I knew then that you were someone very special to him.”
Skye’s cheeks warmed at the compliment. “Thank you.”
“The one thing I know about the Daniels men is that when they fall, they fall hard. And from what I’ve seen between you two, Tripp is crazy about you.” She smiled and stood up, not ready to go any deeper with Skye, done with the conversation for now. “I’ll let everyone know that you’re fine and you’ll be out in a few minutes.”