Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
She and Jonah were similar in that way.
They also both adored Gabby.
And as soon as I came into the living room, Angel headed for us, her hands out.
She gave me a brief smile in greeting but zoomed in on Gabby and soon had her cradled in her arms. She stepped back, giving me a softer smile before cooing at her little goddaughter who was just as obsessed with her aunt.
“Heya, Carson,” she said once the baby was situated.
“Hi, Angel.” I moved in to kiss her cheek.
Another soft smile was my reward. Jonah’s younger sister was a little shy at times too, at least with me.
“Babe!”
Jonah stood at the door, waving his phone around. “I gave her the update. It’s all good. We gotta go or we’re going to be late.”
I frowned. “Late for what? You made reservations or something?”
He flashed me a grin. “Or something.”
I sighed. That grin was the perfect mix of cocky and happy. My man was happy. And my heart did a little pitter patter in my chest because that made me happy too.
I know the saying is that you get a honeymoon phase—two years. Not me. Not us. I was in love with my man as much as the first day I met him, and it only grew deeper as the days went by.
Jonah was out the door now, moving toward where he’d parked in the driveway.
Angel gave me a gentle nudge. “Go on. He’s excited.”
I eyed her, smiling. “You know what it is, don’t you?”
Her eyes twinkled. “I know enough to know my brother cannot wait for this date tonight. Go. Have fun. I got this.”
I took a moment to really look at Angel. She’d grown up since I first met her, and she was a stunningly beautiful woman. All of Jonah’s family members on her side were great—his father, his stepmother, who would be so pissed I was adding the step- part. As far as she was concerned, she was Jonah’s mother, and in a way, she’d adopted Tanner and Brooke as well. Not Kai, but the rest most certainly. Jonah was lucky to have all facets of his family, but there was something special about Angel.
My throat filled with emotion suddenly. “I know Jonah loves you, and Tanner does, but so do I.” I wanted her to know that. It was important to me, and when I felt it extra, I shared it extra. Angel knew this already, and she moved in, giving me a hug.
I looked down. Gabby was watching us, a smile pushing up those cheeks of hers.
I was pretty sure she was filling her diaper.
“I love you, too,” Angel said. “Now…” She turned, her hip checking mine. “Get going. My brother’s going to lay on the horn in a second, and none of us wants that.”
Oh God. He would. “I have to go.”
Angel laughed as I hurried outside, grabbing my purse and phone on the way.
Jonah was antsy, his fingers drumming a beat on the steering wheel when I got in. “You good?” he asked with a nod.
I frowned as I shut the door and grabbed for my seatbelt. “I was good with Netflix and chilling tonight. Think I should be asking you that question.”
He froze, and then consciously relaxed himself. His head gave a little shake, and his shoulders loosened up. He dropped his hand from the top of the steering wheel and gave me a soft smile, similar to the one I’d gotten from his sister inside. “Hi.”
Gah. The melting. It was happening again.
I smiled back. “Hi.”
“I love you.” His eyes were shining with extra emotion.
I leaned over, cupping the side of his face. “I love you, too.” My thumb ran over his cheek. “You okay, though? For real?”
He nodded. “I am. Promise.”
“Good.”
As I let my hand fall, he leaned over, his lips finding mine. It was a soft graze at first, then a second, but my belly lit up by the third. That one was hot.
He cradled the side of my face as his mouth commanded entry.
I was happy to give it. I’d give him anything in that moment.
A second child? Here you go. I birthed it just now.
His hand slid to the back of my neck, and he angled his head for better access.
God, yes.
God, please.
Just, God. All day, God.
I could’ve kissed him for the rest of the night.
* * * *
Jonah pulled back a few minutes later.
However, goals. I knew what I was aiming for after this date—that and more, but definitely kissing. So much kissing.
I liked all the kissing.
Jonah pulled out of the drive and drove to the local botanical garden, which was empty when we arrived. As we got out, there were no other vehicles in the lot. I was choosing to ignore the one that followed us with Jonah’s security guards.
But I wasn’t ignoring how Jonah held my hand, taking me down the sidewalk, lights above us and on the path lighting the way, to a table by the water fountain.