Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“You could have brought her,” Palmer tells her.
“I know, but I wanted some girl time. I love that little girl with everything I am, but Momma needed some adult time.”
“We should make that a thing. I know we have girls’ nights with Blakely, and I’m sure this little one too.” Palmer rubs at her belly. “The baby boys can come as well,” she assures Kennedy. She and Declan are having a boy, and Jade and Orrin haven’t found out what they’re having yet.
“However, we need to make sure that just because we’re all becoming moms, we don’t give up adult girls’ night. Daddys can pull kid duty.” Palmer nods as if she’s loving her own idea.
“Deal,” everyone but me speaks up. I’m the only one unattached. The others are pregnant or talking about marriage, and then there’s me.
“Do you have more shopping to do?” Kennedy asks me.
“Yeah. I need to get Sterling some new swim trunks. His ripped at the end of the season last year, and he never replaced them.” I stand from my chair and gather my trash. I’m not waiting for them to spout more nonsense about me pursuing something with my best friend.
Surprisingly, they stay quiet as we finish out our day of shopping.
“This is a nice surprise,” I tell Sterling as I pull into my driveway.
“I figured I’d help you carry in all your bags.”
“I didn’t buy that much. Besides, there were some great clearance deals. You know that I’m a bargain shopper. Oh, and I found you three pairs of trunks. Two were buy one get one. So, I figured, why not.”
“Thank you. You used my card, right?”
I nod. What I don’t tell him is that even though the girls didn’t comment directly when they found out I was using his card, they did all wear what I can only describe as knowing smiles.
“Thanks, Tink.” He presses his lips to the top of my head before reaching into the back seat of my car and grabbing all the bags.
“Did you all drive separately?” he asks.
“We took three cars. Kennedy and I went in Declan’s Tahoe. Piper and Jade rode together, and Palmer and Ramsey.”
“We need to all go in and buy a party bus or conversion van or something so we can all ride together.”
“Ha!” I push at his arm, and he doesn’t budge. “We didn’t want to move Blakely’s booster seat, and Palmer already has the base and car seat in her car for the baby.”
“I would expect nothing less coming from Brooks. My brother is nervous as hell for this baby to get here. He’s nervous and excited.”
“A baby is exciting.”
“Agreed. But my brother is going to be one of those dads who drives fifteen miles under the speed limit the day they bring her home.” Sterling chuckles.
“It’s endearing.”
“Yeah, I mean, I like to give him shit for it, but I can’t imagine how I would feel if that were me. I know Declan was scared as hell, but he was in a different situation. Blakely went home from the hospital with her mom.”
“What are you doing tonight?” I ask, changing the subject.
He shrugs. “What do you feel like doing?”
“I’m going to do laundry and wash these new clothes. I need to get a head start on packing for the trip.”
“You took off Wednesday,” he reminds me.
“I know, but I hate waiting until the last minute. Besides, I assumed you’d need help packing, and I could do that while you take care of the yards.” I push open the front door and allow him to step into the house before me, closing the door behind us. Sterling carries the bags into the living room, placing them on the couch before turning to face me.
He points at me and grins. “That is why you are my favorite human.”
“I see how it is. Using me for my laundry and packing skills.”
“Hey, this is mutually beneficial. I mow your lawn. You help me pack and maybe do a load of laundry or two. We both win.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I guess I’ll keep you.”
He lunges for me. I turn to run from him, but his long-ass legs eat up the distance. He grabs me from behind. His arm tightens around my waist as he lifts me into the air. “You’re stuck with me, Tink.”
He moves his free hand to my side, and I know what’s next. He’s going to torture me by tickling me, and I already have to pee. “Uncle!” I shout before he has the chance. “I give up. I have to pee, and it’s not going to be pretty if you move forward with your plan.”
His laughter fills my living room, and I smile right along with him. “Fine.” He kisses my cheek and sets me back on my feet. I race down the hall to the restroom.