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Anyway, that’s all for now.

Stupidly happy, Nora

CHAPTER 34

NORA

“Pip?” Atlas calls from the front of the house, the sound of the front door closing echoes behind him.

“Back here,” I call back, my eyes glued to the space we’ve designated for our jellybean.

Atlas and I decided that since we’re in the primary bedroom, we’d section off the little sitting area for our guy. He even went ahead and painted the walls in his space last night and I can’t stop staring at it.

The space still smells slightly of wet paint, but the color is perfect. I can see it all so clearly—his crib will go right beneath the window, with floating shelves on the wall above it, and a rocking chair off to the side in the corner.

I can see myself rocking him and feeding him in the middle of the night.

It’s small—no, that’s not right—it’s cozy and perfect and keeps him close to me, which is exactly where I want him.

I keep picturing white fluffy clouds painted over the blue on the walls—a nod to Atlas’s mom, who loved the sky, thick white curtains over the window to filter the light, and a whole shelf of sweet little books for us to read to him as he grows.

“There you are,” he murmurs, stepping up behind me, lifting my hair off my neck and pressing his lips to the sensitive skin there. “You about ready to go?”

“Just gotta put my boots on.”

“And your coat.” He pins me with a look, but I can’t help but give him a little sass.

“It’s not that cold.” I wrinkle my nose as I plop down onto the bed to slip on my boots.

He opens his mouth, undoubtedly to argue his point further, but I beat him to it.

“But sure, I’ll bring it. Just know if I get hot, you’re carrying it.”

“Pip, I’ll carryyouif need be.” He kneels in front of me and helps me into my boots. “Now c’mon. Ellis has texted me like six times.”

A small laugh escapes me as I force myself back up to my feet to grab my jacket. “I like him. He makes me feel less needy.”

Atlas grins, and I swear, the sight of it alone sends a rush of warmth through me. “Yeah, yeah.” His brows furrow. “He mentioned inviting Scarlet, too. You cool with that?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Sure, our initial meeting was beyond uncomfortable, but the more time I spend around her, the more I like her. And I’m pretty positive she likes me, too.

“Just making sure.” He leans down and captures my lips in a kiss that has my toes curling in my boots. “Now let’s go.”

Like the gentleman he is, Atlas has the truck running so it’s nice and toasty inside. The fall chill is setting in fast, but I think I’d rather be big and pregnant when it’s cool outside versus when it’s hot, so I have no complaints.

“You ready to pumpkin chuck?”Atlas asks as we pass through the gates marking off the festival grounds.

I link my arm with his, holding him as close as possible while also trying my best to keep my anxiety at bay. Logically, I know I’m safe with Atlas, but being aroundthismany people out in the open is…unnerving.

I refuse to let my trauma ruin our day out together though. And so, with a wobbly smile, I reply, “I’m ready towatchyou do it. What I’m excited for is donuts and cider.”

He clutches at his heart with his free hand, kindly not remarking on the mini freakout I know he’s aware I’m having. The man is more tuned into me and my emotions than I am sometimes. “Donuts? You like the donuts? What about the funnel cake?”

I shake my head. “Nope. My dad and I used to come every year, and the donuts were always our favorite part. Cinnamon sugar is superior to powdered sugar. It’s just science.”

“She’s right, you know,” a deep, masculine voice says out of nowhere, sending me into a blind panic.

My heart gallops in my chest, thundering in my ears louder than an entire herd of wild horses as my head swivels side-to-side, looking for anything out of place.

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