Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
I lie back on the bed, not able to see over my stomach. “You’d be fine with me going naked! You’re very biased!”
He laughs. “That’s true, but honestly, that dress is adorable on you.”
I glare at him even though I know he’s being sweet. “Nothing is adorable on me. I feel and look like I’ve stuffed two beach balls under this dress. Do I absolutely have to go?”
“Yes,” he gently says. “If you didn’t, I’m not sure your mother, Gemma, or Everleigh would forgive you. Belinda would, though. I don’t think you can do any wrong in her eyes.”
I sigh, and he helps me up. “You’re sure I look fine?”
He pulls out his phone and snaps a picture of me, then turns it around. “Cute as fuck.”
A blush hits my cheek. “Maybe you’re right.”
Noah glances at the stack of clothes on the foot of the bed. “Done with these?”
“I guess,” I say, slipping on some slides because wearing any sort of real shoe right now is torture. My body wants to burst out of whatever I put on it—shoes, bras, shirts, you name it.
Eventually, he coaxes me out the door so I’m not late to my own party, and I’m happy he did. When I show up, Noah escorts me inside, gives me a kiss, then leaves. The decorations are gorgeous, and I’m in awe at what they did. Beautiful flower displays adorn every table, along with powder blue balloons.
Gemma and Everleigh rush up to me, wearing huge smiles. Belinda gives me a nod, but she’s so enamored with Scarlett that she brings all of her attention back to her. She’s an adorable baby, though, so I don’t blame her one tiny bit.
“Are you ready for all the games we have planned?” Everleigh asks, and I groan.
“No games,” Gemma adds. “I planned activities instead because I know how much you hate them.”
“Thank you.” I sigh. “At least one of my friends listens.”
Everleigh snorts. “I listen, but that’s about as far as it goes.”
Gemma laughs.
Everleigh continues. “We got onesies to decorate and set up a photo booth and a cupcake table. Oh there’s also one small game. Guess the number of penises, I mean M&M’s in a jar,” she says, moving her arm like she’s giving me a tour. “And Belinda made your favorite sandwiches!”
“Oh my goodness,” I say, covering my mouth. “Y’all didn’t have to do all this for me. Not at all. I feel so…”
“Special?” Gemma suggests with a side hug. “’Cause you are!”
Mom comes over and offers me a bottle of water, and I laugh because she knows me so well. “If at any point you need a break, let me know,” she says with a wink. She has a way of distracting people so I can escape to the bathroom. Loretta says hello, and so does Missy, who hasn’t stopped giving me shit about being pregnant and getting the D since she found out.
The baby shower is actually more fun than I thought it would be. We do the activities that Gemma had planned and open gifts for what feels like hours. I’m overwhelmed by the kindness all the ladies have shown me and by how much stuff I’ve gotten. When it comes to celebrating having babies in Lawton Ridge, these women are all in. After that, we eat the yummy club sandwiches and chocolate cupcakes Belinda made for the event.
As things come to an end, I stand and give a small speech, thanking everyone for coming out and loving me so much. Of course, I cry, and tears splotch my dress. The room explodes into applause, then people trickle out. While some of the ladies from church stay to clean up, I sit at a table and have another cupcake, and my best friends join me. They plop down across from me, and I’m overjoyed by how amazing all of this has been. I’ve got everything I need for when the babies arrive.
“You know, this party was just missing one thing,” I admit with a snicker.
“What?” Everleigh asks around a mouthful, and Gemma meets my eyes.
“A woman coming and slapping you in the face for sleeping with her husband,” I barely get out before I burst into laughter.
Gemma nearly chokes because she’s giggling so hard.
“Oh, the thought crossed my mind,” she says, totally okay with being poked at. One thing I love about Everleigh, it’s often hard to get a rise out of her. If she can make herself the butt of a joke first, she will every single time.
“You know Archer got parole,” Gemma eventually says.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yep. He’s planning to fly here the week before Thanksgiving.”
I nudge Everleigh. “Oh, you better get your place ready.”
She licks her lips and bats her eyelashes. “I’ve been ready.”
Gemma shakes her head. “Tyler isn’t happy about the arrangement, but between you and me, I’m glad he’s staying with you. Just be aware Tyler’s been preparing his threatening speech about behaving around you.”