Page 100 of Wish You Would

“I don’t believe you.” I set my brush down on the tray, wiping my forehead with the back of my forearm. “Like what you see?”

“Definitely,” she says, eyes wide. “The blue is the perfect shade.”

“I wasn’t talking about the walls.” I shake my head, sitting down on the carpet across from her. “But they do look incredible if I do say so myself.”

The day after Briar came home from Daisy’s, I’d told her about the eviction notice and my plan to purchase the house. I think it helped her to understand what had been going on with me at the time, why I was so distracted. Waiting to hear whether my application was approved felt like torture, but a few days later I got good news. My parents offered me a loan for the amount I was short, on the agreement that I eventually pay them back.

Briar and I were together when the call from the bank finally came in. It was such a relief to know that we could stay in the house that feels like home to both of us. We could start planning our future, setting up a nursery for Slugger. I had an appointment the following day to sign the papers, and I asked Briar to come with me. I needed her there to sign the paperwork since her name was all over it. I wanted this house to beours, so I added her name to the deed.

When she was given the papers to sign and realized what I had done, she refused. She said it was too much. But I insisted. I told her it was just a matter of time before everything I owned became 50 percent hers when I eventually asked her to marry me. And I amgoingto ask her. Briar made it clear that she didn’t want a proposal because she was pregnant, so as much as it has pained me not to ask her, I’m waiting until after our baby is born knowing it will mean more to her.

I finally got her to sign the paperwork for the house after convincing her it was something I needed her to do for our family. It came with no strings attached. I watched her go through the contract signing and initialling where needed, and I’ve never been happier in my life. It was the beginning of our life together.

After that, Briar and I settled into an easy routine. We’vespent as much time together as we could while still making time for our friends. We went to her doctor’s appointments together. We picked out furniture for the nursery together. We even went to Vancouver together two weeks ago.

Getting on the plane was as difficult for me as I thought it would be, but the blow job Briar promised me when we landed helped me through it. I white-knuckled it the entire flight, drank two or three G&Ts, and when we landed in British Columbia, I said a prayer. Briar was the exact opposite, reading one of her romance novels and sipping tea the entire flight, but her hand was always somewhere on me, in my hand or on my thigh, calming me. Briar calms my soul and sets it on fire at the same time.

As soon as we got to Briar’s mom’s house, I was thankful we took the trip out. It was a beautiful thing to see her family fawn all over her. We spent an afternoon flipping through Briar’s baby book while her mom and her brother reminisced about every one of Briar’s milestones. Her family was so damn welcoming. On our last day, Briar took me to her favorite restaurant on the harbor and then we walked the seawall. The three days we spent in Vancouver were a whirlwind and a little bittersweet for Briar. The next time she sees her mom, she’ll have a baby of her own.

“We need to decide on a name, Bee. You’re due any second.”

Briar’s due date is in two weeks, but the doctor warned us that she could go into labor anytime.

“I think we’re at a standstill. Do I have to remind you that you’ve vetoed every single one of my suggestions?”

“In my defense, you named your cat Bear. Not sure you have the best track record.”

She picks up one of the freshly folded onesies and throws it at me, scowling. I catch it with a laugh and thenlean in closer, pressing my mouth to hers. I splay my hand over the top of her belly just as Slugger’s little foot kicks against my palm. It makes me smile every time. “I think he wants us to pick a name.”

“Maybe we wait until we meet him?”

Maybe it’s time to tell her that when it comes right down to it, I’ll go with whatever name she chooses. I could never say no to her. But where’s the fun in that? I’d rather give her the gears for a little while longer.

I lean away from Briar when Bear struts between us, all attitude with her big, fluffy tail in the air. There is no denying the fur ball has grown on me. I’ve even given her full reign of the house.

“She’smycat, you know,” Briar reminds me as I stroke the length of her back, making her purr.

“I don’t know, looks like she has a new favorite.”

“She hasn’t forgotten the can of tuna you gave her this morning. Bribery is a sneaky tactic, Holden.”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.” I smirk.

“I hope you took your pill this morning.” She leans forward, stroking Bear’s head. “You are going to pay for those cuddles.”

“She’s worth it. I can’t say no to this face.” I shoot Briar a wink. “Tomorrow I’ll set up the crib and I’ll help you put everything in its place.”

Briar’s eyes are soft. So soft it looks like she’s on the verge of tears. I’m not sure it’s normal for a pregnant woman to cry as much as Briar, but it’s cute as hell. She feels big emotions. It’s one of my favorite things about her.

“Tell me what’s going through your pretty little head,” I whisper.

She closes her eyes with the prettiest smile. “I still sometimes can’t believe it’s true.”

“That we’re having a baby?” I ask, pressing a kiss to her jaw.

“Yes. We were only supposed to be roommates,” she says. “Now look at us. In love and with a baby on the way.”

“So in love.”

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