Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“When you can, get some details together for the rescue so my dad and uncles can review it. The sooner we get approval, the sooner we can get it started,” she tells me as unwanted space forms between us.
“I will.”
Kaitlyn gets in her truck and backs out of the driveway. I watch her taillights disappear in the distance, then look up at the twinkling stars and hope like hell she understands how important this is to me. She’s been my best friend for years, and if it’s a baby she wants, I want to be the one who gives that to her.
I can live with being just friends if I never have to live without her.
CHAPTER FIVE
KAITLYN
After chatting with Payton a few days ago, I haven't stopped thinking about his offer. He nearly begged me not to pick a sperm donor and let him be the one to get me pregnant. The longer I think about it, the crazier it sounds.
However, it'd mean having a partner to help and our kid growing up with both parents involved. Not to mention, Payton would have the opportunity to be a dad.
This proposition has its perks, but the whole sleeping with my best friend and sticking to our rules will be hard. I've never had a one-night stand, so I've never had to deal with the awkward aftermath.
What if I can't even look at him after we do it?
What if I don't end up getting pregnant, and we slept together for nothing?
What if he changes his mind after we have sex for the first time?
My mind floods with doubts and possibilities, keeping me preoccupied while I'm supposed to be working. Instead of risking my life and getting kicked by Malice, I quickly remove the gear, then put him in a stall. Once he’s settled, I head to the B&B for lunch.
"Hey, Uncle John!" I greet as I poke my head into the office.
"Hey, kiddo. How's it goin'?"
"Just fine. You workin' hard or hardly workin'?" I tease, eyeing his feet propped up on the desk as he sits back in a chair.
"Little bit of both, actually." He smirks. "Waitin' on Mila so we can run some errands."
"Aw...how sweet. Like an old couple day date."
His gaze wanders over my shoulder, and my back straightens when I hear a throat clearing.
"Who ya callin' old?" Mila stands next to me with her arms crossed.
"Did I say old? Oh no, you misheard me. I meant older. As in, just a little older than me." I swallow hard, then add, "And wiser!"
John snorts at my failed attempt to cover my ass. I stand with my wrists casually crossed in front of me.
"Uh-huh." Mila's brows rise. "Older, wiser, and going deaf, right?"
"Oh, c'mon, y'all know I was just givin' y'all a hard time. "Fifties are the new thirties."
"In that case, I'm still a teenager!" Maize's voice makes me jump. She walks up behind me, laughing at my expression. "They makin' ya sweat?"
"Nah. Your parents don't scare me."
"They shouldn't. They're softies." Maize cracks up.
"Don't be tellin' people that. I have a reputation to protect." Uncle John stands, goes to Mila, then pulls her in for a side hug. "Ain't that right?"
"Mm-hmm," she responds, dragging him closer before smacking her lips to his.
"Y'all are gonna make me lose my appetite." I groan at their cute PDA.
"Welcome to my life." Maize sighs.
"Y'all are welcome to leave," John states.
"Don't worry, I am." I turn and head toward the dining room. Maize catches up with me, and I notice she's not wearing her chef jacket. "You not workin' today?"
"Half day. Told my staff to take over for a few hours so I could spend the afternoon with Gavin and the kids. But I’m starvin’, so I'll stay and eat with you if ya want."
"Sounds good. What's on the menu?" I ask.
"Cajun chicken and sausage gumbo with rice and potato salad."
"Mmm...sounds and smells delicious."
"And of course peach cobbler."
I grab a bowl, then add rice and pour the gumbo on top. Maize and I chat while we eat.
"Somethin' on your mind?" she asks after I bite into my cornbread.
"No, why?"
"You've barely eaten your gumbo, and I know it's your favorite. My life consists of third-grade girl drama so spill the tea."
I glance down, realizing she's right. Sighing, I look around to make sure no one's within earshot.
"You can't tell anyone."
She zips her lips and flicks away the imaginary key. "To the grave."
Lowering my eyes, I inhale softly before blurting out, "It's...Payton."
"You two finally hook up or somethin'?"
"No, not exactly, but he offered to."
Her face scrunches. "Offered to? Like a if we aren't married by thirty, let's get hitched kind of offer?"
I snort, shaking my head. "Not exactly. I told him I was gonna order sperm online and basically baste myself with it to get pregnant. He offered to knock me up instead."