Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 97767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
I sigh, staring up at the ceiling. “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Dropping a bomb.
“Right. So why not make it funny?” Nova reaches over and grabs a throw pillow, hugging it to her chest. “For what it’s worth, I think he’s going to handle it better than you think. I think he’ll be excited. You may not have known him long but he’s already shown you he’s a decent guy.”
Decent guy.
“High praise,” I say dryly.
She laughs. “Hey, you’re the one who picked him.”
I roll my eyes, but the truth of her words settles in. She’s right—he is a decent dude and I did pick him—with her help.
Looking over, my eyes narrow playfully as I say, “You practically shoved us in each other’s way.”
Nova shrugs, a smirk playing on her lips. “You’re welcome, by the way. Don’t I have impeccable taste?”
I bite my lip, thinking it over.
Nova has a point. And the more I picture the idea, the more it makes sense. Maybe surprising him at one of his games is perfect. I can already see it—me, sitting front row with a sign that reads, Congrats, Daddy!
Yes.
I like this idea more and more.
“Impeccable taste? If by ‘impeccable taste’ you mean meddling to the point of no return,” I tease. “I mean—you meddled so hard that your brother is going to be a dad. So really, this is on you.”
“Meddling? How dareee you.” Nova clutches her chest in mock offense. “This is slander, which I prefer to think of as divine intervention.” She smirks but then leans in, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “Seriously though—how are you feeling? Like, is anything happening yet? You’re super early, right?”
I nod, pulling the blanket tighter around me. “I’m two or three weeks along, tops. I barely feel anything. No nausea. Boobs are normal. Just tired. Like, I could nap anywhere, anytime.”
But that’s also nothing new.
I’m always down for a nap.
Ha!
Nova raises an eyebrow. “Tired already? That’s wild. Your body’s, like, ‘Hey, girl, we’re gonna make a human, so shut everything else down.’”
I laugh softly. “Pretty much. It’s weird—I feel fine one minute, and then the next, I’m totally wiped out.”
She tilts her head, studying me like I’m a science experiment. “No cravings or weird stuff yet?”
“Not really,” I say, shrugging. “I did devour a whole bag of salt-and-vinegar chips yesterday, but that’s just me being a snack monster.”
She shifts closer, her expression softening. “What about emotionally? Are you okay? Excited? All of the above?”
I exhale, my shoulders sinking into the couch. “Yeah. All of the above. It doesn’t feel real. Half the time, I’m like, ‘What if this is a mistake?’ and the other half, I’m scared. My mom doesn’t know I’m dating someone so I have to break that news, plus the news about a baby?”
Nova’s smile fades slightly, and she reaches over to squeeze my hand. “You’re literally weeks in—it’s okay to feel like this. We’ve got this.”
We.
Me + Dolly + Nova
What more do I need?
“Thanks, Nova,” I murmur, her words settling into me.
She brightens again. “So, I need to know—are we gonna find out what the gender is? Or are you going to wait until you give birth?”
I stare at her, deadpan. “Nova, I don’t even know how far along I am. Can I get through the part where I break the news to Gio?”
She laughs, throwing her head back. “Fine, fine. But when you’re ready, I’m here for the gender reveal brainstorming. Glitter bombs, confetti, maybe a piñata full of baby socks—”
I cut her off with a laugh. “Stop. You’re too much.”
“And you love me for it,” she quips, grinning as she grabs the remote. “Now, do you want to keep overthinking, or should we put on something dumb and distracting?”
“Dumb and distracting, please.”
“Perfect,” she says, pulling up a reality dating show. “Let’s watch people mess up their own love lives so we can stop stressing about ours.”
28
Gio: You planning on coming to the game tonight?
Austin: Yup. Me and Nova will be in the special seats.
Gio: YOUR seats, you mean?
Austin: Sure, ha ha. If that’s what you want to call them, who am I to object.
Gio: How was your day babe? You looked so cute when I left this morning, all snuggled in my bed with that beast of yours.
Austin: I was. And so was Gio.
Gio: He sure did get used to my place pretty darn quick.
Austin: He’s a leech. As long as you’re feeding him…
Gio: He’s the dog version of a gold digger.
Austin: OBVIOUSLY. Can’t have him settling for less.
Austin: You say that like you’re not completely smitten with him already. Admit it, he’s got you wrapped around his paw.
Gio: Lies. I’m just trying to keep the peace. Can’t have your dog hating me.
Austin: Don’t worry, you’re winning him over. He didn’t even growl at you last night.
Austin: That’s progress.
Gio: He only growls at me when you’re not looking.