Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
But now, I’m seven months pregnant and huge, not that it seems to bother Hunter. He tells me all the time how beautiful I am pregnant even when I feel like a whale.
“You’re gorgeous,” he growls in my ear, reading my thoughts. “Absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you,” I whisper before turning back to my friend. “I can’t wait to meet the baby,” I say, smiling at Chrissy.
“Me too. Don’t forget, that’s my little brother or sister in there, and also my best friend’s first child. I’m going to spoil them so bad.”
I just shake my head laughing.
“Spoil away. Everyone deserves to have one insane auntie who feeds them candy when they should be eating cereal.”
“That’s me, except I’m the half-sister and not aunt!” Chrissy crows with glee. But then her expression becomes naughty. “So, you’ll never believe this,” she confides, “but remember how Three Holes was always saying they were going to re-brand and re-market themselves? Well, they’re finally getting their act together. They’re not only changing their name – they’re even moving out of New Jersey to new headquarters in Manhattan.”
My boyfriend tenses next to me and I put a soothing hand on his knee. I get it. No father wants his daughter to be a lady of the night, but Chrissy is who she is, and she’s an adult too. It’s not our place to harangue her about her professional choices, especially since I used to be in the same line of work.
Nonetheless, Hunter tried to talk Chrissy out of escorting a couple times, but she just wasn’t having it. She enjoys the freedom and independence, and she likes the men too. Who wouldn’t want to meet handsome, debonair billionaires? At least, that’s who she should be meeting if the agency’s screening them a bit better now.
But it’s still hard for Hunter, and I hear him take a few deep inhales next to me. Even if he’s accepted what Chrissy does for a living, she is still his daughter, so I know it’s hard for him to hold his tongue for the umpteenth time. I give him a pointed stare to keep quiet. It’s difficult but Hunter loves his child, so he bites his tongue and manages a watery smile instead.
Meanwhile, I look back at Chrissy and nod.
“That’s a great development! I still can’t believe they ever went with the name Three Hole Girls. I mean, it’s totally disgusting.”
Chrissy giggles again.
“Yeah, but it’s true right? I mean, I let men use me wherever they want,” she adds conspiratorially. I hear Hunter let out a choked sound next to me and pinch his knee in warning.
“So what are they changing the name to?” I ask.
Chrissy winks.
“Curves.”
I cock my head. “Just Curves?”
Chrissy wiggles her eyebrows with a wicked smile on her face.
“Yeah, so the name highlights the agency’s dedication to high end escorts who have curvy, luscious bodies. It’s going to be wonderful!”
I look at Hunter and his face is an odd shade of eggplant at the moment. He shakes his head before speaking in a strangled voice.
“Chrissy, I’m your father. Can we refrain from talking about your job right now? You know how I feel about it.”
My buddy and I look at each other and burst out laughing as my buddy nods.
“Sure but promise not to have an aneurysm, okay Dad? I promise, I’m doing great and I’m always safe.” She waves at me before standing and grabbing her purse. “I’ve got to get going, but thank you for dinner, folks! I’ll text you, okay? Bye Dani! Bye Dad!”
“Bye Chris!” I wave back. “See you soon!”
My buddy waltzes out of the house while Hunter and I get up to clear the table. He’s still shaking his head ruefully.
“Who could have guessed my life would turn out this way?” he ruminates as we carry the dishes to the sink.
I just laugh. “Yeah, I guess none of us ever imagined this outcome. I know I never thought I’d fall in love with my best friend’s dad and be expecting his baby.”
Hunter smiles at me, a gleam in his eye.
“Okay, I can’t say I never imagined it. You know I had the hots for you for a long time, Dr. Lindstrom, but I never thought my fantasy would come true! I guess I’m a lot luckier than I knew.”
He smirks.
“Oh, so I’m your fantasy, huh?”
I move to close the distance between us, but Hunter beats me to it, and gives me a slow, sweet kiss. He pulls away too fast, but right when I’m about to say something snarky, he drops to one knee in front of me right there on the kitchen floor.
“Oh my God!” I gasp, eyes wide.
Hunter nods and reaches inside his pocket and pulls out the most beautiful diamond I’ve ever seen. It glimmers in the light and my eyes begin to shine with tears.