“About as well as you.”
“I didn’t take it so well, did I?”
“Understatement.It’s fine, I understand.My biggest worry is Kate.”
Ava makes a pained face.“I don’t really like your sister, but I have to say I feel for her.This is going to be a hard pill to swallow.”
“It sure is.”
Nick comes out with a box of my things.I push all thought of my family, especially Kate, out of my mind for now.We spend the rest of the evening at Ava’s, packing up my stuff.I had a good time.Nick was still a bit grumpy about what Ava said, but toward the end of the evening it was forgotten.Ava cooked, and she’s an amazing chef.Most people wouldn’t believe she could throw down in the kitchen, but as I said to Chris, she will surprise you.She’s not only about looks and labels.
At the end of the night, I look around the room that I called mine for almost four months and feel a little sad.Many life-changing moments happened to me in the short time I called this place home.It gave me shelter from the cold when I had nowhere to go, a place to cry and drown my regrets in a pillow full of tears.It made the bonds of friendship between two old friends stronger than ever, with love and support and understanding.It also brought Nick and I back together the night of my birthday, and we created a life.I put my hand on my stomach and close the door behind me, walking out to the next chapter of my life.
Nick is waiting for me by the door, talking to Ava.They look like two beautiful dark-haired bookends.They don’t know how good-looking they are, especially side by side.I put my hand on his arm.“I’m ready to go home.”He smiles down at me when I say home, and Ava gives me another hug.
“I’m going to miss you.We were supposed to hit up all the clubs this summer, drink, and flirt with cute guys in our five-inch stilettos.I guess I’ll have to settle for Chloe.Actually, you can still come, I think you’ll be a hot pregnant chick.”
I laugh and shake my head.“No.”
Nick puts his arm around my shoulder.“No one wants to hit up a pregnant chick, Ava.”
We both give him a look that screams, “What!”
“You need to check him,” Ava says to me.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Nick?”He gives me his charming don’t-be-mad- at-me smile—the one I’m a sucker for, especially when his eyes light up.
“All I’m saying is, most dudes don’t want to have sex with a pregnant woman.That’s why guys go to the club to hook up.Once you start showing…” He shakes his head at me.“ButI’mgoing to want you, and that’s all that should matter.I’m more than willing to entertain you.I’ll guarantee you won’t be bored or have any need for the club when I’m through with you and your fabulous body.”
He bends down and wraps both his arms around me and runs his tongue along the outline of my ears.I giggle, turning my face toward him and brush my lips across his.
In a disgusted voice Ava says, “Please control yourselves.”
I tug on his arm to stop.“Come on, let’s go.We’ve overstayed our welcome.Bye, Ava.”
“Please try to get her home safely before you start fornicating.I’m not bailing you out.”
Nick winks at her with a smile.“Keep your phone on.”She shakes her head at him and closes the door.
Nick
She’s sleeping peacefully on herside, curled up under the blanket.I wish I didn’t have to go to work today.I’d like nothing more than to get back in bed with her.“Hey, babe, I’m leaving.”
“Oh my God, I’m late!What time is it?”Her head pops up off the pillow, and she looks flustered and cute as always, brushing her hair out of her face wildly.
“You’re not late, it’s Saturday.”I smile.
She lies back on her side, closing her eyes.“Why didn’t you say that?Stop turning my damn alarm off in the morning.”
“You keep slamming it off every ten minutes.It’s annoying.”
“I’m not like you.I can’t spring out of bed like I stepped out of the shower fresh and ready to take on the world.”
“Understood, but you set the alarm for two different times: an hour before you need to get up, and between that hour you hit snooze every ten minutes.It annoys the shit out of me.”
“I’m going to start sleeping in the other room,” she grumbles.
“No, you’re not,” I say, rubbing her back and kissing her shoulder.
