“We’ve been… talking more,” she starts, but then her eyes shift across the lot, and without even having to turn, I know who she’s just picked out of the crowd.
Sterling.
Her lashes lower when she chooses to look at the ground instead, but it’s too late. I’ve already clocked her.
“And?” Dez pushes.
“And… we recently decided that we’re going to go on a date and see what happens.”
Joss arches a brow. “Well,that’sdefinitely progress.”
Lexi flashes a nervous smile, and I don’t blame her. She’s led an incredibly busy life the past several years. Between school, work, and Jax, there hasn’t been time for much else, including dating. So, for her to be taking this step is a pretty big deal.
And it means something that Matt is who she’s choosing to take it with.
Plenty of guys have pursued her over the years, tried to woo her with gifts and the promise of expensive dates, but she never budged. I never said it out loud, but I always thought she may have been holding out hope. However, with this news… I guess it’s safe to say that’s not the case anymore.
“Good for you,” Dez says, giving Lexi’s arm a quick squeeze.
Lexi shrugs like it’s no big deal, but the small smile tugging at one corner of her mouth says otherwise.
“This is still really new,” she says quickly. “Don’t start planning a wedding or anything.”
“Of course not. We’ll wait until theseconddate for that,” Jules teases.
Joss laughs while Dez shakes her head.
“For what it’s worth,” I say, nudging Lexi with my elbow. “Matt’s always been good to you. Good to Jax.”
“Yeah,” she admits quietly. “I know.”
Her gaze flicks across the lot again before she catches herself. Sterling’s still standing near the food trucks, talking with the guys, completely unaware of the conversation happening over here.
Lexi clears her throat and straightens. “Anyway,” she says, forcing a smile. “It’s just a date.”
But I know Lexi well enough to hear the uncertainty buried within those words. And judging by the way Sterling keeps glancing in our direction every few minutes…
I’m not entirely sure he’s as indifferent as he pretends to be.
***
I’m exhausted and can hardly feel my feet but… today was amazing.
I prepared myself for there to at least beonemajor crisis, but to my surprise, everything went completely according to plan. And as we drove away from the center a few hours ago, I had the distinct feeling that this place is going to be so much more than I ever dreamed possible.
“I could lie like this forever,” West says, and I glance down to where he’s currently resting against my stomach.
I let out a quiet laugh. I’ve hardly even got much of a baby bump, but he’s already obsessed with it. Kissing it, touching it, talking to it every chance he gets.
“So, did you keep your word?”
He peeks up at me briefly, confused. “About?”
“The ultrasound.”
Just hearing me say it has a smile crossing his face. “We agreed to keep it a secret, so… I’m keeping it a secret.”
Thatsoundsgood, but I know my husband. Get him in a room with his brothers and Ricky, and they gossip more than me and the girls ever could. So, to trust him with his own secret is a bit of a stretch.
