Page 65 of Summer Nights

Family came first. I'd figure it out.

In no time, the trucks were full with the first load, and we headed over to my place. I'd already cleared out the guest room so that she could start unpacking her things into the drawers and the closet.

I'd texted Brady and told him to meet us here when he said he might be late. When he pulled up, I was just walking outside for another box.

He grinned when he approached. "You're moving her in, huh?"

"It seemed like the easiest way to stay close to her. I can see the baby and help her out."

"You know what happens when you live in close proximity, right?" Brady asked, amusement tinging his voice.

"No. What?" Irritated, I leaned on the side of the truck.

"You can't resist each other anymore, and all the reasons why you shouldn't be together fall apart."

He was speaking from experience. Hazel and he had pretended to be engaged and moved in together. They quickly fell into a real relationship. "You would know."

Brady nodded. "Best decision we ever made."

"This is more for convenience than anything else. I'll be close to her and the baby and can help out."

"You have a few months before the baby's here. Plenty of time to focus on each other," Brady said as Hudson jogged down the steps to join us.

Hudson raised a brow. "You two gossiping?"

I sighed. "A break."

"Are you getting old already?" Hudson continued with his jibes.

"You're the one who's old," I shot back. Sometimes, we sounded like the kids we used to be, and I loved the familiar camaraderie.

We each grabbed boxes and headed inside. It was quick since Ivy had already labeled everything, so we had everything unloaded in no time.

Hudson stood in the doorway, "We'll head over to her apartment and get the rest of it. Why don't you help her unpack?"

I wanted to keep an eye on her and craved time alone, so I readily agreed. The guys filed out, and I closed the door behind them. Then I went in search of Ivy who was in her new bedroom, folding her clothes to put in the dresser.

"Do you need any help?"

She looked up at me. "The third bedroom is empty. Did you get rid of your stuff?"

Her eyes were suspiciously shiny. "I wanted to make room for the baby's furniture."

"Everything seems so real all of a sudden. Moving in with you, the baby bump, and the nursery."

"That's because it is real," I said gently, sitting next to her.

"This wasn't how I imagined things would be, but I'm leaning into it. This will be good, right?"

"I think so." I put my arm around her and tugged her in close. After a few seconds, she sniffled then straightened.

"What do you need help with?" I asked, not wanting to make a big deal of her emotions.

"Can you hang my clothes up?" She pointed at the items already arranged on hangers, laying on the bed.

"Sure thing." I got up and moved to the other side of the bed, hanging up her blouses, dresses, and pants. These were the clothes she wore to work. I wondered if she'd need to buy a new wardrobe as her belly grew.

I heard the stomping of feet, indicating that the guys returned, but I stayed with Ivy, wanting her to be moved in and comfortable. We finished her room, and then I moved to the kitchen where I attempted to find room for her pots, pans, and dishes.

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