Page 112 of Prove Me Wrong
I turn back to Sinnett, whose smile grows wider. “What?”
His hand squeezes my shoulder tighter. We’ve grown a lot closer since Mia and I moved in together and got married within the last two years. I couldn’t have asked for a better woman to be the mum of Jade. She loves her like her own child, and I love Mia a bit more every day for it. Seeingthose two together makes me so happy. I sometimes don’t know how I got so lucky.
“How has she been?”
I shrug one shoulder, still balancing the cake box in my hands. “A bit sick, but she’s fine. She knows she can use the pregnancy card on me, and I’ll do anything for her.”
Sinnett snorts out a laugh, hand slipping from my shoulder. “Sounds like her. Milking it for all she can get.”
Smiling, I shake my head. “I don’t care. I’d do anything for her either way.”
“I know you would,” Sinnett murmurs before Jade appears in the doorway of the kitchen and runs towards us. Bright green eyes and blonde hair pulled up into buns, she jumps right into Sinnett’s tattooed arms. “Jadey, I’ve missed you.”
“Uncle Sinny.” She lets out a giggle and wraps her arms around his neck. “Mum said I can have cake today.”
“Did she?” Sinnett’s eyes flare as he tries to sound as excited as my daughter does. “Do you know why we’re having cake?”
Jade shakes her head, looking at me for the answer.
“We’re finding out if you’re going to have a brother or a sister.”
Jade chews on her lip before whispering to us, “I want both.”
“Sorry, princess. Your mum isn’t having twins.” Disappointment seeps through my voice. “Believe me, we double checked.”
“Damn. Twins are the best,” Sinnett admits with a wink.
I just laugh and walk down the hallway. Mia is at the kitchen bench, a small pop in her stomach shows from the tightness of her white dress. Her dark hair flows over her shoulders with a matching bow, glossy lips and shiny skin. She looks radiant and happy as Tatum talks her ear off about Sinnett’s latest game.
Placing the cake down on the bench, she eyes me before coming around and sliding her arms around my waist. “Did you peek?”
“No,” I answer, trying not to smile. “I want the surprise as much as you do.”
“Good,” she chimes, making my stomach flip. “I want us to be surprised together.”
Kissing her temple, I catch her addictive scent that’s become even sweeter since she’s fallen pregnant. I love falling asleep beside her, holding her against me, being constantly surrounded by it. I never want to let her go, and I am guarding her with my life right now.
“Do you want to start the barbecue? Nathan, Caleb and Jason will be here soon. Damon and Dottie said they’re on their way, too.”
“And your parents?” I ask as Mia slips out of my arms.
She gives me a soft smile. “They’ll be here soon.” I watch her smile falter, and I know what’s going to come out next. “I wish she were still here for this.”
Pulling her against me again, my chin rests on her head as I let out a steady breath. “June would have wanted to see this. But I bet she’s watching with Joe in heaven.”
I hear her sniff and hold her tighter before releasing her. Mia wipes under her eyes before muttering something about hormones. “I just miss her a lot.”
“I know you do. But come on, it’s a day to celebrate.” My hands hold her slim waist as she smiles again, her grey eyes glistening. “I’ll start the food with Sin.”
“Thank you.”
Everyone arrives slowly over the next half hour. Mia’s parents come, looking a little calmer than they did at the wedding. I knew they werebusy and uptight, but I never knew the extent until I saw her mum in full mother-of-the-bride zone. It was frightening, to say the least.
Caleb and Jason walk in with presents. Jade rushes up to them immediately in her flowery dress, and Caleb holds her. He has come a long way from the man who used to hate breathing the wordkid.
“Hey, Daddy Noah,” Caleb chimes, elbowing me in the side.
Sinnett snickers. “Yeah, yeah. Just wait till you’re a dad. All of this teasing will come back to bite you.”
