Page 207 of Even Exchange

“Good to know,” I say, huffing a laugh. “Do I getanyhints?”

“Patience, young grasshopper,” she says. “We’re almost there.”

I swallow hard, and a little flutter in my belly has me placing my hand over her instinctively. It’s like she can feel my excitement. She kicks again, getting my palm, and I imagine her giving me a little love tap of encouragement.

I’m happy you’re here too, baby.

“Stay facing that way,” Sophia says authoritatively.

“What do you?—”

“Not you,” she cuts me off. “Noah.”

“Noah’s here?” I ask, heart soaring, wiggling with anticipation.

“Of course he is,” she says with a laugh. “Can’t very well get married without the groom.”

“Married?” I say, reaching up and ripping my blindfold off. My mouth falls open as I take in my surroundings. We’re on the top of a building. A helicopter is parked in front of me with Noah facing it, bouncing on his feet. As anxious to see me as I am to see him. Sophia stands off to the side taking photos of us, and Elijah’s behind her with a smug, happy grin on his face.

“You can turn around now,” Sophia calls to Noah, and he wastes no time turning to face me, his hand covering his mouth. I stand frozen, holding my breath as he takes me in. He glances to the sky for a moment, muttering something to himself, then strides towards me with glistening eyes.

Oxygen becomes more difficult with each step he nears until it’s all but nonexistent as he stands before me, forest eyes locked on mine with a softness that tells me everything I need to know about this man.

My head becomes fuzzy as I drink him in. The blue fitted suit. The pure adoration on his face. The shiver that racks my body when he reaches out and tucks a curl behind my ear.

“Breathe,tesoro,” he reminds me, and I gasp, sucking in deep breaths to replenish my oxygen.

I know this moment is supposed to be sweet and wholesome and lovely, but all that comes out of my mouth is “You look so fucking hot.”

A sexy chuckle leaves his lips, and he leans in, breath fanning against my ear. “If I said what I was thinking”—he takes a deep breath, then releases it as if to steady himself—“neither of us would be able to think straight for the next several hours.” He pulls away, nose brushing mine.

“I want to kiss you.”

“Not yet.” He smiles, taking my hands in his.

“Are we getting married here?”

“No.” He gestures toward the helicopter. “I have something better planned.”

I splay my fingers over my stomach. “Is it?—”

“It’s totally safe for baby. I even checked with Doctor Rigou.”

“Aren’t our friends gonna be mad?” I ask, shifting on my feet. “They came all this way to see us get married.”

“They knew the plan,” he says, waving me off. “Did you really think I was going to marry you in some cheesy wedding chapel with an Elvis impersonator as our officiant?”

I twisted my mouth. “Yes. And I would have. Happily.”

“I know,” he says, squeezing my hand. “But I wanted it to be about us. You and me, and the baby.” He places a hand on my stomach. “When you remember us getting married, I want it to be perfect. Not smelling of old cigarettes and tequila.”

“Anywhere would be perfect with you,” I say. And I mean it.

“I appreciate that,” he says with a wide smile, tugging me forward. “But could you get your beautiful self in this helicopter so I can make you my wife, please?”

“Who’s gonna marry us?” I ask, glancing around.

“The pilot is an officiant,” he says as Sophia and Elijah trail behind us.

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