Page 65 of Wish You Would

“I’m ready,” I holler as I give Bear a scratch between her ears. “Mommy will be back soon, my beautiful girl, then we can cuddle all night long.”

I grab my purse and take one last look in the full-length mirror. The jeans that I squeezed into are tight, purposefully showing off my hips and ass for Holden. I paired the light denim with a spaghetti strap body suit that I’m also hoping he will like. I’m relieved to see that my skin looks a little less green now that the nausea that tormented me all day has passed. A bit of blush works wonders.

Holden is sitting on the couch watching a hockey game, looking entirely too handsome wearing a pair of perfectly faded jeans and a short-sleeved black T-shirt. His hair is tousled in a way that looks effortless even though I saw him running pomade through it in the bathroom. How any man can look this good in 10 minutes is a mystery to me.

Also a mystery: how I was able to keep my hands off him given the fact he was wearing nothing but a towel. My mouth literally watered seeing his sculpted abs and defined pecs, not to mention the soft trail of hair that disappeared into the towel at the V of his pelvis. I deserve a medal for keeping my hands to myself.

“You look hot as fuck,” he says, our eyes locking. I give him a small smile but inwardly I’m kicking my feet.

Holden is always telling me how beautiful I look and sometimes I’m not sure how to take it. I’m not used to getting compliments, especially from the men in my life. At first it made me feel weird, but I admit I’m starting to enjoy it.

Things have definitely changed between Holden andme. We’re walking a thin line between just friends and lust. I’m pretty sure he wants me just as much as I want him.

I sit down next to him to put on my shoes, my stomach in knots not from the nausea but because I’m a nervous wreck. Holden seems calm and cool—the exact opposite of how I feel.

“Tonight is going to be okay, Bee,” he says, reading my mind. “Stop worrying.”

“I know.” I shake my head, trying to ward off the anxiety. “I’m just the world’s worst liar. I’m worried someone will catch on to us. Specifically, I’m worried about Daisy. She knows me better than I know myself sometimes.”

“I can’t believe you haven’t told her.”

I blink. “Have you told the guys?”

“Well, no, but it’s killing me.”

“I guess one of us needs to be the courageous one. It’s definitely not going to be me.”

He slants his head to the side, glancing at me. “Do you really think our friends won’t be happy for us?”

“It’s not that. I know they will be once they’re over the shock. It’s just… the news is going to come out of left field, Holden. We aren’t even together.”

Holden looks upset, and it’s actually quite cute. This gorgeous, 6-foot-1, self-proclaimed bachelor looks flustered that… what? That he’s not in a relationship with his baby momma?

“No, we’re not together. Unless…” Holden looks at me like he has something up his sleeve.

“I thought we were getting to know each other?”

“I’m trying really fucking hard here,” he says. “It doesn’t help when you wear outfits like this.”

His words make my breath hitch. There he goes again, making my heart soar.

“I guess it’s a good thing that we’re late for dinner then. No time to tempt you. We should probably get moving.”

He groans and leans closer to me until I can feel his breath against my neck, making goosebumps erupt over my skin. “Or I can pick you up and carry you over to the kitchen counter and make you come on my face instead.”

Oh my effing god.

Holden is a confident dirty talker, and I admit it turns me on.

“Getting to know each other, remember?” My lips tip up in a teasing smile as I stand up from the couch. He stands up too.

“For Slugger.” He presses a kiss to my forehead and my world feels like it shifts on its axis. I haven’t allowed myself to think too much about what it will be like to share a baby with Holden. Up until now, the thought has been terrifying, but he has been doing and saying all the right things. He’s interested in our baby, the pregnancy, and making sure I’m feeling good. He seems to be too good to be true. “I’m doing this the right way for little Slugger.” I feel the sting of tears welling in the corners of my eyes. I’m blaming it on the hormones.

The truth is, I’m falling for Holden—falling so hard, even though I know I shouldn’t. My life is complicated enough, the last thing I need to do is fall in love with a man who wants none of the same things in life that I do… no matter how sweet and sexy he is. When it comes down to it, there is still a chance Holden will leave.

I try to block it all out as we cut across the lawn to Jake and Everly’s place. Jake greets us at the door with baby West on his hip, the sounds of laughter and the scent of barbecue hitting us as we walk through the door.

“Uncle Holdey!” Birdie’s face lights up when she spotshim. She makes a beeline for the door in her polka-dot dress and sparkly, cat-eared headband. Holden catches her when she launches herself into his arms.

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