Page 272 of The Baby Twist
She lifted her head and stared at me.
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” My brows furrowed. “I’m pretty sure you know I love you.”
“Well, I wasn’t sure because you never said it.”
“I know, and for that, I’m sorry. It’s just?—”
“It would make all of this more real?” A smirk crossed her lips.
“That, and I know how you feel about love. I didn’t want to scare you off. I’m not scaring you off, am I? Because, just for the record, it’s too late.”
“No. I love you too, Charlie. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. You blew into my life, got me drunk, impregnated me with two children at the same time, and here we are.”
“I didn’t get you drunk. You did that all on your own.” I tapped the end of her nose. “And as for me blowing into your life, I think you’re confused. You blew into my life by sitting down next to me in the airport. You could have sat elsewhere but chose the seat next to me.”
“I’m happy I did because you had me at first glance.” She wrinkled her nose.
“I’m happy you did too.” I brought my hand to her face and softly stroked her cheek. “I’m so in love with you.”
“I’m so in love with you too.” She leaned in and kissed my lips.
Later that evening, Marley and I went to dinner at Eleven Madison Park. As we ate, Marley reached across the table and touched my arm.
“Look who’s sitting in that booth,” she said.
I glanced over and noticed it was the man she’d had a one-night stand with in Chicago. He sat beside a woman with his arm around her, stealing small kisses.
“That must be his girlfriend,” Marley said. “Cheating bastard.”
“It’s none of our business, babe. Finish your dinner.”
“It is my business when he straight up lied to me, Charlie.”
“That’s in the past. Let it stay there.”
“It’s just I hate people who cheat.”
“Really? Because just the other night, you cheated while playing one of my games. You looked up the cheat code.” My brow arched.
“You know what I mean, mister.”
I chuckled. “I know. Be a good girl, mind your business, finish your dinner, and then I’ll take you for ice cream.”
“Really?” Her face lit up.
“Of course. I know how you get if you don’t get your nightly dose of ice cream.”
“I’m not that bad.”
“I beg to differ.” I smirked.
Marley
I was running late to the bakery, where I was meeting Allison for some cake testing. When I stepped inside, I froze when the man she was with turned around. His eyes widened as he looked at my expanding belly.
“Marley, look who’s here.” Allison beamed with excitement. “This is my fiancé, Troy. Troy, I’d like you to meet the woman who is helping plan our wedding. This is Marley.”
