Page 75 of Love Is Ale You Need

“I’m sure it will be much longer if Trey gets his way. And very rarely does Treynotget his way.”

I smile. “That’s so true. How does he do that?”

Bennett laughs. “I don’t know. Has Trey ever told you about his last serious girlfriend?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “He’s mentioned something about her being pregnant and then lying. But I was also shocked by the marriage proposal to ask more about it.”

“Oh yeah. I heard about that, too.” He smiles. “It’s probably not my place to say anything, but also, I don’t know if he will. But he was really excited to be a dad. Scared as hell, but excited. Throughout the entire ordeal, she manipulated him with a lot of false hope. It changed him, or at least changed his views on relationships.”

“Wow,” I mumble, with my hand covering my mouth. To do that to someone… I could never. I can’t imagine what Trey went through in dealing with all that.

“That was until you. So, if he’s a little over the top, he has his reasons.”

A weak smile spreads across my lips and I nod. While I’m glad I can be here for Trey and helping him heal, I just wish we could do it without the added distraction of a pregnancy. “Thanks. These are very unfamiliar waters. Not being pregnant but doing it with Trey.”

“He’ll be fine. Plus, he needs someone to rein him in every now and then.” A moment of silence passes between us. “I’m going to collect the rest of the table and put it together for you.”

“Let me help.” I pull a pair of shoes from the shoe rack and slip them on.

The six-person rectangular X Trestle table sits perfectly in my dining room. On each end are two custom chairs and bench seating on each side. “The table is beautiful.” I run my fingers over the dark, weathered finish.

“It’s sturdy too. Trey said that was a requirement.” Bennett smirks.

Heat creeps up my neck and to my cheeks and I drop my gaze to the floor in hopes of hiding it.

“I better get going. Enjoy your table and keep Trey on his toes. He needs it.” He opens the door and then he’s strolling down the hallway.

The door closes behind him and I lean against the wood, exhaling a long sigh. For someone who you’d expect to get what you see, Trey actually has a lot of deep ruts in his seemingly perfect life.

* * *

I peek through the doorway into Abby’s room. Her feet swing in the air as she lies on her stomach on her floor, coloring in a princess coloring book. She’s my entire world. Soon there will be one more. I rest a hand on my stomach as warmth fills my chest. I pull my phone out of my back pocket as I stroll into the kitchen, checking to see if I have any missed messages. Nothing. He’s thirty minutes late. This better not be a preview of what’s to come.

I nearly jump out of my skin when the intercom rings. I buzz Trey up. I’m waiting with the door open as his dark hair comes into view as he climbs the stairs. “Where have you been? You're late.”

“Sorry. I stopped at the store and got things to ease the transition from only child to big sister.” He holds up two plastic bags in each hand and a helium balloon with big pink letters that says Big Sis.

“This is a bit excessive.” I hold the front door open as Trey strolls in past me.

“I would rather be prepared.” He sets the bags on the counter and unloads a t-shirt, sweatshirt, books, a teddy bear, a necklace, and a pint of ice cream. “I also found these really awesome baby toys. They light up and play music depending on how fast you move them.”

“Seriously, more baby stuff?”

“Yeah. I didn’t want to miss out on them being available later.” He passes me the bag of baby toys. “Hide this so Abby doesn’t find it.”

I huff and grab the bag from him. It’s been less than a week and this baby already has more stuff than I do. Once in my bedroom, I set the bag down in the corner with the rest of the bags. What are you doing?”

“Getting prepared.” He holds out the box of ice cream to me. “Freezer. All news is better with ice cream.”

I grab it and smile. It’s hard to argue with that logic. I shove the ice cream into the freezer. Spinning around, I face Trey. “Ready?”

“Let’s do this.” He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to his chest, placing a kiss on my lips.

I pull away. A flutter of butterflies fills my stomach. “Abby! Can you come out here?”

The patter of little feet barrel down the hallway. “Squirrel! You’re here!” She races to Trey and wraps her arms around his legs.

A flood of warmth washes over my body. I love that these two have developed a connection. I can only hope it will help with what we’re about to tell her. “Abby let’s sit down in the living room. We have something we need to talk to you about.”

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