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)
As I leave Zach to his tasks, I grab my keys from my office and tell my parents I’m heading out.
“Dinner tonight at seven,” Mom says. She’s been reminding me for over a week that she’s cooking for the family tonight.
“Ya know I never pass up free food. I’ll be there!”
“And what about Payton?” she inquires, but I see something more behind her eyes. Maybe it’s an insinuation, but I can’t pinpoint it.
I sigh. “He’ll be there, too.”
Once I’m in my truck, I drive to the B&B real quick, then I go home and shower.
When I’m ready, I message Payton in case he needs a reminder about tonight.
Payton: I didn’t forget.
Kaitlyn: Good, cause I think my mom would’ve been sad if you weren’t.
Payton: What can I say? Your parents love me.
I smile because he’s right. They’ve always adored him and have treated him like he’s one of their own.
After I’m dressed, I’m tempted to pour myself a glass of wine, but instead, I opt for a large glass of orange juice. I randomly read that vitamin C can help a person conceive. I’d drink a truckload if it’d guarantee a positive pregnancy test.
As soon as Payton walks in, his warm smile fills the room.
“Hey,” he greets as his gaze wanders over me. “You look nice.”
“Thanks.”
“Smell nice too.” He grins. “I’m gonna quickly shower.”
“I’ll be waitin’,” I tell him, tempted to join him to get my mind off things. But I know it wouldn’t be a good idea after the way things got heated between us the last time. Though I’d never admit it aloud, I wanted Payton to kiss me and let me taste myself on him. The lines were nearly crossed, and I selfishly wanted him to be the one to cross them first.
I wish I could read Payton’s mind, but at the same time, I’m too scared to know what he’s thinking.
Payton enters the room in clean clothes and smelling like body wash. “Ready?”
“Yep.” I stand, grabbing the dessert dish covered in foil.
“What’s that?” he asks.
“I asked Maize for a favor.”
He lifts the top. “Mm. Apple pie.”
“Dad’s favorite.” I grin. “Kinda owe him after Mom and I ate half of his slice today.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”
Payton puts on his baseball cap, then leads me to his truck. When he opens the passenger door for me, he lightly places his hand on the small of my back. It’s a gesture he’s done a million times before, but now, it feels different. Intimate. Something a boyfriend would do.
When we pull up to my parents' house, I grow nervous, and Payton notices.
“You okay?” he asks as he kills the engine.
“What if they see through us? Our plan?”
He smirks. “It won’t be any different than the shit they always give us.”
“That’s true,” I say, relaxing my shoulders.
We get out of the truck, and I suck in a deep breath before we enter my parents' house.
“What’s that?” Mom asks with Hendrix and Hannah on her lap. They’re climbing on her like a jungle gym.
“It’s for Dad and only Dad,” I confirm.
Mom laughs because she knows what we did earlier.
Knox yanks the foil off the top, and his jaw drops. “Apple pie?”
“That’s mine!” Dad stands and grabs it from my hands. Wrapping his free arm around me, he kisses the top of my head. “This is why you’re my favorite kid.”
“Suck-up.” Kane rolls his eyes at the same time as Knox makes a face at me.
Hadleigh and I make small talk while Mom pulls a lasagna out of the oven along with two loaves of garlic bread. The hearty aromas have my mouth watering. It’s been a while since I’ve had her homemade recipe.
“You look really good, Kaitlyn,” Hadleigh says, eyeing me up and down. “I love that top on you.”
“Thank you. It’s a newer one.” And it shows off my boobs nicely, which wasn’t on purpose, but I was able to buy a smaller size, and now it’s accentuating my chest.
“Okay, dinner’s ready, y’all,” Mom announces, and we all find our seats.
“Time for the blessing ’cause I’m starvin’,” Dad says once it quiets down.
We bow our heads as he says grace, and then we immediately dig in.
“This is so good, Mom,” I tell her. “I’m gonna have a food baby later.”
Ivy snickers, and Kane gives her a look before clearing his throat. “Do you wanna tell them, sweetheart?”
“Sure.” She swallows hard as we all wait. “So we had our ultrasound, and it turns out we’re having twins!”
The room bursts into chatter as a whirlwind of emotions nearly knocks the breath out of me. Of course, Payton notices, and he gently squeezes my thigh. I force a smile, not wanting to make this exciting moment about myself.
“Congratulations,” I say. “I’m so happy to be getting two more nieces or nephews!”
“Or one of each,” Hadleigh gushes, wrapping her arms around Ivy. The rest of us join in celebratory hugs.