Page 64 of Cursed Luck
The way Debbie said it made Mia wonder if she was speaking from her own experience. It made her upset to think it could be why Debbie had no children. The way the woman doted on the family spoke of a mother’s love.
Andrea cleared her throat as she leaned in, then she whispered, “Speaking of kids… James and I decided it was time I stopped taking my birth control,” she announced with a giddy shrug.
The others gasped and spoke excitedly with Andrea, the attention effectively redirected from Mia. Only now, she sat half-listening to them as she considered motherhood for the first time in her life. Was she really the only woman not to consider offspring? She had never objected to motherhood because she didn’t think she coulddoit. It just had never crossed her mind.
Glancing at the beautiful baby drinking from her mother’s breast, Mia envisioned a baby boy with Edward’s eyes and quiet demeanor. Would the child take on a similar power, of intuition or earth? Maybe the goddess would bless him with an entirely different power, as it seemed the Brodericks had a variety unlike her own family. If she and Edward had a daughter, would she look like Mia, or would her features reflect Brandy’s?
“Everything okay?”Edward asked.
“Do you want kids?”she blurted.
“What?”he asked.
Mia bit her lower lip and met his gaze over the top of his sister’s head.“Have you ever thought about becoming a dad?”
Edward held her eyes for a moment.“Before you came along, I hadn’t even considered love or marriage.”
“Is it weird I’ve never thought about having a kid?”she asked.
“No. I’ve met plenty of women who don’t dream of being a mom. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Is it a deal-breaker?”she asked, her breath lodging in her throat.
He smirked, and his eyes shined with emotion.“As long as I have you at my side, I’ll be happy either way.”
Chapter 27
Things with Mia were progressing better than he could have hoped. He still had not found the courage to tell her he loved her, but he planned to do it that night. They had been sharing their evenings together, and he had another business trip coming up. The idea of going and her not hearing the words in person wasn’t an option.
The words had almost slipped from his lips about ten times in the last two days. From what he had seen written on her face, he was pretty sure she loved him too. Holding back any longer seemed silly.
He wanted her in his bed and in his life every day he spent on Earth. It was impossible on days he was away on a business trip, but other couples managed it, and they would too.
The woman was kind, funny, and smart, and down-to-earth never seemed appropriately sufficient to describe how easygoing she was. They had bumped heads in the beginning, and he was man enough to admit he provoked her. Intentional or not, it didn’t matter. He had behaved like an ass and she fought back.
Edward smiled at the fiery temper she seemed to reserve for him. In an absurd way, the mere thought of it made his dick swell. They were due for make-up sex or even angry sex. He could not wait to find some way to irritate her later and rile her up, so she would exact her revenge on him.
He stepped onto his floor and headed for his apartment, hoping none of his neighbors came out to witness the obvious tent in his pants. His day had flown by with last-minute meetings to prepare for his trip, and he planned on spending every second he could with Mia.
Inside, he showered and packed his garment bag. He made sure to include extra clothes so he could avoid the need to come home before he left. It didn’t take him long, and within an hour, he walked out with damp hair and his bags in hand.
Surprising Mia with flowers was nearly impossible, so he made a pit stop at the café to see Brandy. Customers were spread out over varying tables, getting work done or visiting with each other. Pride bubbled in his chest at the sight. Brandy had not only kept the café running but had made it a success.
As if knowing he had come inside, Brandy turned on her heels with an order in hand and met his eyes. “Edward! Let me finish this, and—”
He waved her off. “No rush, do what you need to.”
Looking around, he noticed Mia must have come by and changed out the flowers. Gone were the sunflowers, and this time, yellow, daisy-like flowers filled the vases with a maroon ribbon tied around them. The cheerful flowers added a personal touch to each table.
Brandy’s arms wrapped around his waist before she pulled back quickly. “Wait, I’d hate for you to get in trouble,” she teased.
He shook his head and scoffed. “Shut it.” Edward dragged her back against him and gave her a good squeeze before pulling back. “Mia knows whatyoulook like. I think I’m good.”
Brandy laughed. “Are you sure? I mean, you tend to do a good job at putting your foot in your mouth.”
Edward noticed a table free up toward the back and nodded at it. “Oh, that I’m good at. I think any man is a pro at it, but I’m pretty sure you’re no angel either.”
Brandy sat across from him and grinned. “I don’t silence Ryan. Although, I really need to ask her about that one.”
