“Ooh, I like this Valentine’s Day plan,” I rasp.
He slams his mouth onto mine, and I’m certain this is my favorite Valentine’s Day yet. Screw chocolates—okay, not the praline ones, but screw roses and teddy bears, because I have the best thing: a man who loves me and a baby on the way.
Our lips remain sealed as he guides me to where he wantsme. We only break our touch when we have to climb the stairs. The moment we both leave the top step, he winds me back to his body and glues our lips together.
When he lays me on the bed, we pause and get lost in one another’s eyes. We are on the road that we are meant to be on.
We both attempt to recover as we stare at the ceiling. “Do you like Valentine’s Day yet?”
He begins taking off his shirt and sweater. “It’s sure as hell less stressful than Chrismukkah.”
I giggle at his response, and it causes my chest to rise, which gives him an open canvas to kiss my chest. My hands comb through his hair to hang on, and my eyes close, as I’m in bliss.
CHAPTER 18
ASHER
Iglare sidelong at my lovely baby mama. Gracie can’t help it and giggles behind her pressed lips. We’re sitting inside at a table dressed in pastels with an abundance of food in the middle.
“It’s a serious matter. Your dad’s version of an Easter egg hunt sent us all on a two-mile trek,” I remind her.
“Not exactly two miles. More like the backyard, side yard, and front yard, but sure, we will say two miles.”
My eyes grow bold. “And the speed boat that someone had to rowboat to?”
She is struggling not to give in to hysterical laughter. “Technically, the boat and that part of the lake is part of the backyard, right? Plus, it’s for Drew’s kids.”
Shaking my head, I let it go. From the corner of my eye, I see the plate of matza next to the carrot cake that most definitely is filled with flour and everything that our grandparents would probably disapprove of. I internally cringe because nobody enjoys dry crackers, even if there is a sentiment behind it. I’m going to do this purely for tradition before I nosh on the giant piece of carrot cake.
I look around the table filled with family from both Gracie’s and my side. It’s Eastover. Because it is possible to mix Easter and Passover together when the calendar dates align.
“Your brother seems out of it, and I have the feeling he is up to something.” Gracie seems to be reviewing the scene of Tyler and Shaw looking completely wrecked.
Yeah, the team arranged a trade, and Shaw ended up right under my nose on the bench. Not ideal, but I’m making it work.
I shift my gaze across the table and see Tyler about to fall asleep. A maintenance day for the team is needed. I rub my face and yawn. “Well, we do have one more week before playoffs. Not exactly low-adrenaline games. He probably just slept in. I barely made this. I have a window of opportunity before our next game, and I’m thankful that our families feel the speed version of the Seder reading is how we roll.”
“I know, right?” she agrees.
Drew leans over the table to peek around Gracie and join the conversation. “How many years have we been doing this? I still don’t know the story other than I’m about to drink a lot of wine and eat a bizarre radish.”
“Least you get to drink the wine. I’ve resorted to grape juice,” Gracie playfully complains right before she scoops up my hand from under the table and plants my palm against her belly.
This child started behaving last week and finally kicks when I’m around.
“So, how many times has my dad drilled you about a ring?” Drew wonders.
Gracie kicks his leg under the table, and he yelps. It’s banter, the way siblings have.
My lips quirk out as I accept my fate that I’m going to beroasted until this baby comes out and then every day after until the day comes where I present a ring.
“Yeah, when is that happening?” Shaw pipes up from across the table, more to tease me than anything.
I feel Gracie squeeze my hand on her belly because she is slightly tense. She hates when we are put on the spot. We are in no rush.
“My dad has been fine. Completely fine,” Gracie proudly lies.
Hudson Arrows mentions it only about every time I see him. More in a future son-in-law wink kind of way.
