Page 113 of His to Save

A thread of discomfort tries to weave its way through me, but I promptly shake it off. Atlas has proved over and over just how dedicated he is to not only me, but my—our—baby, too.

Atlas

Yeah, LOL. I can think of a few others. You ever watched The Sound of Music as a kid?

Where in the heck is he going with this?

Me

Yeah… My mom loved that movie.

Atlas

That one song the nuns all sing about the nanny…

“What’s so funny?” Scarlet asks, placing an overflowing tray down on the table between us.

“Nothing!” I quickly text Atlas back, telling him our food is here. “There’s no way we can eat all of this.”

“Speak for yourself,” Scarlet scoffs before slapping a paper plate down in front of me. “I got all of my favorites, plus some extra, that way we can figure out what you like.”

It’s totally overkill, but I’m also touched. From start to finish, she’s put so much thought into our day out together. If this is what it’s like having a friend, then I’m so totally down.

“You said the ribs, right?” I ask, grabbing a few for my plate.

“Yup. And the potato salad is insane.”

We both fill our plates with a little bit of everything. My mouth waters as I taste my first bite of the fall-off-the-bone ribs. I can’t help the happy little moan that slips past my lips. This is definitely my new pregnancy craving. I can feel it.

Scarlet chuckles. “Told you.”

I smile at her, a sense of contentment like I’ve never known before washes over me. “Yup. One hundred percent right—but don’t let it go to your head.”

She taps her temple twice. “Too late.”

A bubbling laugh escapes me, which makes Scarlet giggle, and before I know it, we’re both cackling like hyenas, with barbecue sauce all over our faces.

I know I’m an absolute mess, but I can’t find it in me to care.Because you’re happy,a little voice in the back of my mind whispers, causing me to freeze.

“You good?” Scarlet asks.

“Yeah,” I murmur. “I really, really am.” I mean it, too. It’s like everything is finally falling into place. Like my life is finallymine.It’s a rush, and a little nerve-racking, but I love it and I can’t wait to see what else the future has in store for me.

“Okay, wow.” Scarlet wipes her mouth and then leans back against her side of the booth. “Are you as stuffed as I am?”

I pat my rounded belly. “More.”

She laughs before leaning forward and passing me a napkin. “Wipe your face up and let’s take a selfie before we head out.”

I clean off my face and then we lean in together over the table, crushing our cheeks together for a few silly shots.

“Send those to me while I throw our trash away?” I ask, gathering everything and stacking it back on the tray.

“You got it.”

CHAPTER 36

NORA

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