Page 66 of Wish You Would

My skin erupts in goosebumps as I watch Holden’s face light up to match Birdie’s. Her tiny arms wrap tightly around his neck, and it makes my heart feel like it may soar right out of my chest. He looks so natural with a child; it makes me wonder how I could ever have doubted it.

Holden tickles Birdie under her chin before setting her down and straightening her headband. “How’s my favorite girl today?”

“Ready to play soccer with you.” She holds out her tiny hand to Holden. “Dad bought me a Manchester United soccer ball. I can’t wait to show you.”

“He did, did he?” Then he’s pulled away by the sweetest little girl, glancing over his shoulder at me as they go. He winks. I wave. Then I need to inhale a deep breath to even out my erratic heartbeat. That… that was something. Heat warms my core and my thighs press together.Get a hold of yourself, Briar.

I manage to pull it together when Daisy finds me, squeezing me to her in a tight hug. I spend the next 30 minutes pretending to sip from the glass of wine that Everly hands me while making small talk in the kitchen with the girls. From my seat at the kitchen table I have a clear view through the patio doors of Holden, who is outside with Jake, Grayson, and Tucker. Our eyes seem to find one another’s every few minutes and every time they do, my stomach gets that fluttery feeling.

Holden is nothing like I thought. He’s sweet and thoughtful. Ever since I told him about the baby, he’s been by my side. At this point, I’m not sure I can control myselfaround him any longer; my need for him is growing much too strong to deny myself.

“Can you take West for a second?” Everly asks, interrupting my thoughts. “I need to get his dinner ready.”

She hands me the cutest little guy on the planet, who settles happily into my arms. He giggles as Daisy and Sienna take turns tickling him, and the sound of it melts me.

Loved. This little boy is loved beyond measure.

Love is something my little girl—or boy, if you ask Holden—will have in abundance. I may not know much about being a parent, but I know that for sure. This baby will be loved by Holden and me, by grandparents, aunts and uncles, and this circle of friends. Our chosen family.

Tears threaten to fall at the realization that Holden and I aren’t going to be doing this alone.

As Everly slices strawberries, I look at West, his tiny nose, bright eyes and little grin showing off all four of his teeth.

It won’t be long before I’m holding my own little one. Will our baby’s hair be dark like Holden’s or blonde like mine? Will he have his dad’s emerald eyes or my lighter green ones? I inhale West’s sweet baby scent, imagining holding my own little one in less than eight months.

I look up when I hear the patio door slide open, and see Holden standing in the doorway, a small smile on his face as he watches me. Chills tingle up my spine when he comes to stand next to me and then leans down to whisper against my ear, “Suits you, Bee. You look even more beautiful with a baby in your hands.”

Holden’s hand rests on the small of my back, his chest so close to my shoulder I can feel the warmth of his skin seeping through his T-shirt into my skin.

“Behave,” I warn in a whisper, glancing around theroom. “They’re going to think there’s something going on between us.”

“Well, isn’t there?”

I tilt my head to the side, one eyebrow raised.My god. This man.I’m pretty sure I just whimpered. I bite down on my bottom lip to try to ease the lust simmering under my skin.

A smug smile raises the corners of his lips. He kisses the top of West’s little head and walks back outside, leaving me wishing I could kiss that smirk off his face.

I’m not sure what just happened, but I’m pretty sure today changed everything.

Holden driveswith one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting out the open window. He’s wearing a pair of black Ray-Bans and a backwards baseball hat, the entire look making me ache between my thighs. He’s confident and laid back and has a natural sex appeal that I am so attracted to.

We’re driving home from the veterinarian’s office with Bear in the back seat in her condo—aka her pet carrier. She has been sick and lethargic for the last couple of days and when she wasn’t getting any better, I decided to make an appointment. Holden offered to come with me, knowing I’m a bit of a mess. Turns out she ate one of my hair elastics that needed to be brought back up. The procedure took an hour. She’s already looking more like herself.

I’m so glad Holden was there. For a guy who hates cats (and is deathly allergic to them), he stepped in and took charge. Carried Bear’s crate, talked to the vet, asked all theright questions, and held my hand in the waiting room. It meant a lot to me.

My phone rings in my lap, distracting me from my thoughts. It’s a FaceTime call from my mom.

“It’s my mom,” I tell Holden.

“I think you should answer it, Bee. We need to start telling people before you start to show.”

He’s right. I’ve put this off for far too long.

His eyes hold mine, urging me on to answer the call. Another moment passes with my heart in my throat until I decide I need to have this conversation. I scrub a hand over my face, muttering a curse word to myself before finally hitting accept on the screen.

“Hi Mom.”

Holden gives me a nod of encouragement, then he reaches his hand across the console, placing it on my thigh.

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