Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
“Hey!”
Ignoring my protest, he pops a crispy strip into his mouth and groans, exaggerating his delight with a smirk. “Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmm.”
My eyes narrow into a glare.
Two can play at this game, bucko.
Moving quickly, I swipe the ball cap off his head, watching all that messy brown hair fall into disarray, before placing it atop my own, flashing him a triumphant smile.
He chuckles, not the least bit bothered by it.
Turd.
He gives me back the chicken, but I decide to keep his hat for a little while longer.
“How’s business going anyway?” he asks, starting in on the beef and vegetables instead. “Busy?”
“Yep, and it’s about to get even busier with wedding season upon us. My first order is next weekend and it’s a big one,” I tell him. “Huge, actually. The largest one I have ever done. Wanna know why?”
He smirks at my question. “Why?”
“Because there are eight bridesmaids and eight groomsmen. Eight, Gunnar! Who the hell has that many people in their wedding party?”
“The same people who are dumb enough to get married in the first place,” he says, making both of us laugh.
I should have seen that one coming.
“How about you?” I ask, turning the question on him. “Still busy?”
“Yep, and I’m not mad about it.”
I’m sure he’s not. Gunnar loves spending his days working on cars. It’s always been his favorite thing to do—well, aside from hanging out with me, of course, but that’s a given.
“I see Ryland is still showing up.” A smile peeks through my words as I make the observation.
It prompts a matching one from Gunnar. “We called it, didn’t we?”
“We did.” I laugh.
“It’s good for him,” Gunnar adds with a shrug. “It’s not like he has any kind of social life to keep him busy.”
This is true. Ryland built his whole life around raising Gunnar. I think him being here is more about seeing Gunnar and working alongside him than just loving the job.
“It works out since I need someone here the nights I have ball,” he continues, talking about the community baseball league he plays in. “Which reminds me, we finally got our schedule last night. First game is Wednesday. You coming?”
My brow lifts at the question. “Don’t I always?”
He chuckles. “Just checking.”
He doesn’t need to, and he should know that. In all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never missed one of his games. Bear and I are his biggest fans. We even have matching jerseys with his number that I had made.
The rest of our lunch passes in easy conversation, words flowing effortlessly between us as always.
I wait for the right moment to bring up the reason I came here, but nerves hold me back.
Gunnar saves me the trouble. “Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or do I have to guess?”
I meet his gaze, feeling more than a little embarrassed. “Is it that obvious?”
He grunts. “Please, Elle. The only time you show up here unannounced is when you have something important to tell me or you’re trying to rope me into some ridiculous plan of yours.”
I’m about to deny that but know what he says is true.
“And since you brought food from my favorite take-out place, I’m guessing it’s the latter,” he adds, leaning back in his chair with an arrogant smirk. “So, go on. Hit me with it. What are you dragging me into this time? Another wedding? Because if it is, there better be free booze.”
I’m not surprised this is the assumption he chooses to go with since I’ve had to talk him into being my wedding date more than once. “It’s not a wedding,” I promise. “It’s bigger than that. Much bigger.”
His amusement fades. “Sounds serious.”
“It is,” I admit softly, my nerves growing by the second.
“What’s going on, Elle?” he presses. “Did something happen? Has someone hurt you?” The anger that creeps into his voice sends a chill down my spine.
“No.” I rush to assure him. “It’s nothing like that. It’s not bad. It’s good. Really good. I’m just nervous to tell you because it’s probably going to shock you.”
His easy demeanor returns, body visibly relaxing. “I think you’re forgetting who you’re talking to, Elle. You’ve roped me into some crazy shit over the years, I doubt there is anything you can say that will truly shock me.” He chuckles.
He has no idea …
“Besides, if you’re excited about it, then I am too.”
My heart warms at the added response. “Really?”
“Of course. So, out with it. Tell me, what are we excited about?”
Knowing it’s now or never, I place my carton of food down on the desk, then take one of his hands into both of mine.
The gesture catches him off guard, but before he can ask any more questions, I tell him the secret I have been keeping. “I’m going to have a baby.”