Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“Shelby, you twisted what I said that night to make it fit your narrative. I wanted you so goddamn much, and I still do, but you’re special and I wanted you to know that.” He gave me an imploring look. “I won’t let you down. I’m not looking for a quick lay. I knew all along that it would be safer if we kept things platonic, but I couldn’t deny what I felt for you anymore on Christmas. It’s too strong. I can’t even explain it.”
A man pounded on the car window on my side, making me jump with alarm. Beau scowled and opened his door, getting out to talk to the man.
“What the fuck, man? She’s pregnant.”
The man pointed at a sign on the side of the building next to the lot we were parked in. “This lot is for paying customers only. Get inside the store or get going.”
“Yeah, we’re leaving, asshole.”
He got back in the car, started it and backed out. I took a few breaths in and out, my emotions running wild from our conversation.
“So anyway,” Beau said. “Are you seeing anyone?”
I gaped at him. “What? No.”
“Good, because that guy would have been regretting that choice about this time tomorrow. Give me another chance.”
“Another chance? You mean…sex?”
“I mean all of it. Give me a chance to be the man in your life. Your boyfriend. Whatever you want to call it.”
I furrowed my brow, feeling skeptical. “You never had a first chance. We just got hot and heavy out of nowhere on Christmas.”
“Give me my first chance, then.”
“Beau, it’s not”
He put up a palm. “Let’s skip this part. We both know it’s not a good idea. We both know how things could go wrong. But you’re in my heart, Shelby. You became someone important to me without either of us realizing it was happening. I think about you all the time. And don’t tell me you’re happier alone, because that’s bullshit.”
“You know this is crazy, right? You know I’m a complete introvert and you’re the opposite. You’re famous and I’m a hermit.”
“I didn’t choose to be famous; I just chose to play hockey. And who gives a shit? Yin and yang, right? Just stop being so damn stubborn for once and admit you want this, too.”
“I mean, it’s terrifying in every possible way, but…I think I do.”
He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant we were having dinner at and parked, then looked at me with the grin that rendered me powerless. Leaning over, he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me lightly.
“It’s official then.” He arched a brow. “Stop giving me that scrunched up face.”
“I can’t see my face, but okay.”
“When I hold your hand or I’m affectionate in public, people might take pictures of us. Those pictures might show up online.”
I cringed.
“Just don’t look at that bullshit and you won’t have to worry about it. But when people find out who you are, there are going to be questions. That just part of it, but since it’s not my fault, you can’t use it as a bullshit reason not to be with me.”
I huffed a laugh. “Oh really?”
“Really.”
“Well, since I’m obviously pregnant, maybe you should talk to your family.”
That sobered him up fast. “Yeah, I need to.”
“We have to talk about things some more. I may need to make a list about mutual expectations.”
He laughed heartily. “An addendum for your binder?”
“Possibly.”
“Whatever you need, Sunshine.”
My gaze snapped to his in an instant. “What did you just call me?”
“Sunshine.”
“But why?”
“Because you try so hard to be overcast sometimes, but the sun shines through, anyway. It’s one of my favorite things about you.”
He’d called me by my grandpa’s nickname for my grandma without even realizing it. Though I was a practical, glass-half-empty sort of person, that got to me.
Coincidence? Maybe. But also, maybe not.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Shelby
“Your bed isn’t just firm, it’s like a rock,” I said. “Did you know you can sleep on the ground for free?”
“Firm mattresses are better for your back,” Beau said. “Do I dare ask how you slept?”
“So hard. I don’t even remember coming in here last night. I was watching a movie with you on the couch and then I woke up here a few minutes ago.”
He grinned. “I carried you in here after you passed out so I wouldn’t have to listen to you snoring anymore.”
“Seriously?”
He furrowed his brow. “On which? The carrying or the snoring?”
“The carrying, of course. I’m basically two people right now.”
“Well, I managed. Obviously.”
Last night had been our second official date. After our first date, which was a long dinner at an upscale Italian place that I was seriously underdressed for, Beau had taken me home, kissed me at my door and left.
We’d had to wait a few days to get in another date, which had ended up being yesterday, Sunday night. I’d taken a half day off work today because I had an appointment with my OBGYN later this morning.