Wholly.Entirely.If only you knew. “You have me.” I smile back and nod.
She tips on her toes and graces me with a peck on the lips, then turns back to the cart. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”
Hand in hand,we stroll across the parking lot toward the red-brick Lunch-a-Bunch building. I pull Willa in close to steal a kiss before we reach the door.
“What was that for?”
Shrugging, I smile at the flushing on her neck. “Just wanted to.”
Her reaction to me when I surprise her with the most basic acts of affection is extremely adorable. I know she’s not used to being treated well in relationships, but that I’m the one who gets to show her how it feels to be cherished—the fact that sheletsme—means the world.
“There they are,” Hunter calls across the parking lot. “My two favorite people.”
Willa pulls away like she just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar, but I hold her at the waist to keep her close. I know her past makes her hesitant with me in public, but she won’t get used to the idea of us together unless she moves past the discomfort. She sends me a small grin, as if apologizing for the impulse to hide, and I pull her closer.
“Favorite?” she asks Hunter.
“Yeah. You two are looking at the newest LA Frost seasonticket holder.”
“Nice,” I say, raising a fist to his. “Let me in on one of those games.”
“I haven’t purchased themyet…” Ashlie rolls her eyes and hip checks Hunter.
“But you will. You’re just mad you have to sit through every hockey game with me, and I havethemto thank.” He turns to us with a smart-ass smirk on his face. “Thanks for boning before New Year’s. I owe you one.”
“Ugh! You’re so annoying.” Ashlie pushes his shoulder and takes a step toward us, yelping when she’s pulled back by Hunter’s hand around her waist.
“That’s not what you were saying this morning…” Hunter wraps his arms around her from behind and snuggles into her neck, inducing a round of giggles from the both of them.
“Ew. I didn’t need that visual.” Willa grimaces.
Ashlie throws a glare at her sister. “Okay, little Ms. Oops, I’m Pregnant. You two owe me a pair of shoes for not being able to keep it in your pants.”
Hunter laughs and leads the way to the door. It’s only a few minutes before we’re seated at a booth against the large picture window. The powder blue and sage green walls are lined with plants and macramé tapestries. Willa snuggles into my side while she looks over the menu. The smirk that settles across my face while I watch her feels like a reflex at this point. Whenever I see her, even if it’s only the milliseconds between blinking, I grin. I can’t help it. She’s chiseled out a spot in the middle of my heart, and I’m so in love with her I can’t do anything but smile about it.
Ashlie clears her throat, and Hunter snickers, snapping me out of my daze. They laugh like they heard every single one of my thoughts. My cheeks flush. I don’t care about them knowing. I’d shout this from the rooftops if it felt like the right time. But Willa’s a delicate diamond, strategically placed on a pressure-sensitive platform. If I don’t carefully swap the gem with those threelittle words at the same exact time, it’ll all be gone in a puff of smoke, with lasers and alarms blaring.
“So, the baby’s good?” Hunter asks, his eyebrows dipping.
“Yep,” I say. “Everything looked good at the appointment a couple days ago. That’s actually why we invited you two to lunch…”
Willa’s eyes meet mine, and we share a smile. Without breaking eye contact with me, she says, “We’re having a girl.”
“Woo!” Ashlie shimmies in her seat with a victory dance, holding her upturned palm in Hunter’s face. “Pay up, Hunt.”
Hunter sighs as he leans to the side for his wallet. “Man, I really thought it was a boy.”
“You two had a bet on my kid?” I chuckle, shaking my head at the money exchange happening in front of me. Hunter slaps a twenty-dollar bill in Ashlie’s hand. My eyes grow wide when he slides another twenty across the table to Willa. “Youhad a bet going on our kid? When was this?”
Willa shrugs and pockets the money with a smirk. “Mama was bored on bed rest.”
“Good luck, bruh. Willa and Willa Jr. are gonna give you a run for your money.”
“Oh, I know.” I wink at my love, eliciting a playful side-eye from her. “I’m looking forward to it.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
TREVOR
