Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“How about we meet for tacos soon?” I ask.
“I’d love that.”
“I’ll call you next week and we’ll set something up.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it. Goodbye, Carys. And congratulations again.”
“Thank you. Bye, Aurora.”
Gannon is standing alone in the kitchen when I enter. His smile makes me melt.
“Tate left,” he says. “I think he’s probably going to tell Ripley.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Nah. I like that he’s excited. It’s better than wanting to fight me.”
I laugh, falling into his arms. “Hey, I have a question.”
“Go for it.”
“What do you know about Japan?”
His smirk is immediate and deep. “I know nothing about Japan. Why do you ask?”
“Liar.”
He chuckles as he picks me up. “All I know about Japan is that it’s very far from here. I have a friend of a friend who owns a business there. I heard they’re hiring.”
I laugh, bringing my lips to his.
I knew it. But why am I not surprised?
Chapter Thirty-Two
Gannon
“Hello?” Mom says.
“How is Brewer Air’s favorite passenger?” I ask, teasing her.
“Gannon, you’re a brat.”
I laugh. “How are you?”
“Good. I’m in Cabo San Lucas, actually. It’s gorgeous here. I’d say you should take a vacation here, but I don’t want to stress you out.”
“Does that mean I’d find Cabo stressful?”
“No, it’s wonderfully relaxing. I just meant you’d find taking a vacation stressful.”
I hum. “Maybe I’ll give it a try.”
“Hang on. Let me check my screen. I thought I was talking to Gannon.”
My cheeks ache from smiling. I hold on to the back of the sofa and try not to laugh.
“Yeah, this is Gannon,” I say.
“And you’re considering Cabo?”
“Hey, I read it’s a great place to take a babymoon.”
“I think that’s true. Bianca considered it before she had Emery … wait a minute.”
I chuckle.
“Wait a damn minute,” she says, her tone thick with confusion. “A babymoon?”
“Yeah.”
“Why would you need to read about babymoons?”
“Well, I can only think of one reason to read about them.”
She gasps.
“It would probably mean you’re having a baby. Or, that could mean that I’m doing research for a friend. Or it could mean—”
“You’re having a baby!”
I laugh. “How do you know?”
“Because you don’t have any friends. Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just panicking a little over here.” She rushes a breath. “Are you having a baby, Gannon? Please don’t mess with me. Now isn’t the time.”
I laugh again, happier than I’ve ever been in my life.
“Mother, you’re going to be a grandmother again.”
“Gannon Reid …”
“I’m having a baby with Carys Johnson,” I say.
“Oh, my God!” she screams. “Finally! Oh, Gannon.”
Her sobs fill the line. I’ve made my mother cry once or twice, but never for a good reason. I have to say it’s much nicer listening to her cry tears of joy.
“You know Carys, right?” I ask.
“Yes.” She hiccups a breath. “A darling girl. She’s an absolute darling.”
“She’ll be your darling daughter-in-law soon.”
Ping! My text alert chirps.
Emotion clouds her voice again. “I’d say this is too much for one day, but I’ve waited on this forever.”
Me, too, Mom. Me, too.
“I’m coming to town on Friday,” she says. “Would it be okay to come by and see you? See sweet Carys? Offer my congratulations in person?”
Ping!
Ping!
Ping!
I roll my eyes. Fucking Tate.
“I think she’d really like that. And I would, too.”
Ping!
Silence slips between us, unlike anything I’ve experienced with my mother. There’s pride in her voice. Joy. She’s not poised to tell me she’s worried about me, or that I need to do this or that. She’s happy with me. For me. And that feels pretty damn great.
“I’ll see you soon,” she says. “I love you so much.”
Ping!
“Love you, Mother.”
“Thank you for calling me.”
Ping!
“Of course. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Gannon.”
I blow out a breath and swipe to my texts. “Let’s see what Tate’s done now.”
I glance at the screen and shake my head. That’s all I can do. Shake my damn head.
A picture of the ultrasound is in the family chat with no context.
Ripley: What the fuck?
Bianca: Woah.
Ripley: Tate? You got something to tell us, buddy?
Bianca: It would appear so.
Jason: Is that an ultrasound photo?
Bianca: Yes.
Jason: From Tate?
Ripley: Tate’s having a baby?
My fingers are hovered over the keys but Tate beats me to it.
Tate: No, GANNON IS HAVING A BABY.
“Fucking hell,” I say, waiting for the comments to fly.
Ripley: WHAT?
Tate: Yeah, they just told me. Called me over and showed me the picture. Asked me to be the godfather.
I burst out laughing. “This fucker.”
Jason: I don’t know if we should believe you.
Bianca: It’s a little suspect.
Tate: Then how did I get a picture of the ultrasound?
Ripley: There’s no way Gan would make you the godfather, so I know you’re full of shit.
Tate: Sorry. I know it hurts.
Renn: HOLY FUCK WHAT IS GOING ON?
Tate: Gannon is having a baby.
Renn: With who?
Tate: Carys.
Jason: Your Carys?
“Okay, enough,” I say, typing furiously.
Me: No, not his Carys. My fiancé Carys.
Bianca: I’m still too hormonal for this.