Page 68 of Wish You Would

I sigh. “I’m good.”

“Did you tell her about the baby?”

“I did. She cried… happy tears.”

A smile tugs at his mouth, which I want to kiss. Without thought, without worry, and with every fiber of my being.

He slips a big, strong arm around me pulling me into his side. “It’s all going to be okay.” He grins, his eyes sparkling as the sun sets over the beach, and nothing has ever felt this good or this right.

I just wish he would hurry up and make a move on me.

EIGHTEEN

CAT AND MOUSE

Holden

I’ve asked Briar every single day for weeks if we can tell our friends about the baby. So far, it’s been a hard no. She’s nervous how our friends will take the news, and I get it, but if they react anything like both of our families did, then it will be hugs and high-fives all around.

My mom was ecstatic when I told her the news. Definitely surprised, but mostly overjoyed. Ever since, she has become sort of a mother hen to Briar. The two of them, along with Barb, have been talking on the phone and texting each other regularly. My dad even got emotional when I told him he was going to be a grandpa.

It makes me happy that we have my family’s full support. Happy that Briar can feel like she’s part of our tribe.

Even though I did not have “get my roommate pregnant” on my bingo card for this year, it happened, and I don’t regret where we are today. In just a few months, I’ve fallen for Briar. And I’ve fully wrapped my brain around the fact that I’m going to be a father.

I’m flipping eggs in a pan when Briar walks into thekitchen wearing a pair of low-slung sweatpants and a T-shirt. She glides straight to the counter next to me and picks up the mug of peppermint tea that I left for her. She takes a sip, and I watch her sigh, her eyes fluttering closed, the happy sound she makes going straight to my cock.

When her eyes open, she catches me staring. She cocks her head to the side, and I smirk in response. She knows by now I can’t get enough of her. The two of us have been playing a game of cat and mouse for way too long.

The moment is broken when I glance down at the swell of her belly, and she exhales.

“Briar,” I say with enthusiasm. “You’ve popped.”

Her hands fly to her belly, which only yesterday looked flat. It seems to have grown overnight. She looks down with an absentminded smile, staring at the bump. Her fingertips trace tiny circles over the cotton of her T-shirt, and my own hands are absolutely itching to be splayed over her little round bump too.

My emotions are all over the place these days. I’m excited to meet my little Slugger, which seems bizarre. It wasn’t long ago that I didn’t think I wanted kids at all, and now becoming a father is practically all I can think about.

“My clothes are all too tight. The little muffin has made an appearance.” Briar lifts her shirt a few inches and looks down at the smooth curve of her stomach.

“Can I?” I ask quietly nodding at her stomach.

“You want to feel my baby bump?”

My brow crinkles. “Is that okay? If it makes you uncomfortable, you can say no. I won’t be upset. I’m just excited.”

I haven’t touched Briar in a meaningful way since the night we conceived Slugger. She lifts her shirt so my hand can cover the curve of her tummy.

“Sometimes I think I can feel the baby move, but I’m not sure. It feels like little flutters.”

“It won’t be long according to the app,” I tell her as my palm moves slowly in circles over her tight skin. “Will you let me feel it when it does?”

“I’ll tell you. I promise.”

“Thank you.” I exhale, removing my hand from the place where Briar is growing our baby. A month ago, Briar’s pregnancy would have been a mystery to me. Thanks to the app I read every night before bed, I know my slugger is the size of a bell pepper and growing fast. There’s no way Briar is going to be able to keep the baby a secret for much longer.

“You look good. The perfect little baby bump,” I assure her.

She gives me a long look then her cheeks flush pink. She’s been blushing like that around me for a while now; admittedly, I know what makes her cheeks rosy, and I try my best to make it happen often.

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