Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Be nice, ladies,” he says.
“No promises!” Rowan calls out. He chuckles, shakes his head, and closes the patio door behind him as he steps outside.
“Girl, I don’t know how you did it, but you’ve brought Foster out of his shell. He’s smiled more in the last few months than he has the entire time I’ve known him,” Corie says.
“I didn’t do anything,” I tell her.
“You did, by being you.” Sloane winks.
I smile at her. “Maybe, but Foster is easy to be around. I think maybe he just needed someone. Not that all of you are not there for him, but I’m not connected to any of you or his career in any way,” I say, trying to make my theory make sense without divulging anything Foster has told me about his life. I know he told the guys, and I assume their wives by association, but that’s not my story to tell, so I need to be careful about what I say.
“You might be right.” Rowan smiles. “Regardless, we’re glad he has you, and we’re glad that you’re here.”
“Thank you. I’m happy to be here.”
“Okay, so, who wants to go first?” Sloane asks. Then she turns to me. “We have to speed through this impromptu girls’ night, because our husbands are needy, and I have no doubt they’ll be back in here in no time. So, we need a quick catch-up with everyone in case we need to vent about them.” She laughs.
“Makes sense.” I smile at her. I love the energy of these ladies. Carrie would love them, too. Maybe one day, I’ll get to introduce her to them.
“I’ll go first,” Sloane says. “I want another baby.” Everyone cheers, and she smiles, then looks over at me. “Camden isn’t my biological son, but he is my son, and I think he needs a brother or sister to play with.”
“You know Daddy Sin is going to be all over that.” Bellamy sniggers.
“Have you told him?” Corie asks.
“Not yet, but we’ve both dropped hints,” she says, radiating with happiness.
“I’ll go next.” Bellamy raises her hand. “Momma needs a date night. Any takers to keep Coral for a few hours?”
“We’ll take her all night. Just let us know when,” Rowan offers.
“We can, too,” Sloane tells her. “Cam would love it.”
“Thanks, ladies. You know I’ll repay the favor anytime.”
“Alexander is still not sleeping through the night. Any thoughts? The pediatrician says it will happen in time, but I’m so tired. Knox is incredible and gets up with him, too, but we’re both running on fumes these days. I’m just glad we’re not in season.”
“I think it comes with time,” Bellamy says. “Coral was around three months. We kept her on a strict routine, and that helped so much. I’d also wake her up during the day, anything to keep her going, as long as it didn’t piss her off.” She laughs. “But it worked.”
“We’re trying to do that. I need to wait it out, and we need to follow it exactly and see if that makes a difference. Thanks.”
“Well, you can’t say anything, because Landry wants to tell everyone together, but I know my husband, and I’m positive that he’s also spilling the beans right now. We’re pregnant.” She beams. “I’m twelve weeks today.”
“Congratulations.” We all stand to hug her—yes, even me, because it’s exciting, and these ladies make me feel as though I’m one of them.
Once everyone has settled back into their seats, all eyes turn to Amanda. She swallows hard and starts to speak. “I leave town tomorrow. As you know, the first adoption fell through, but the second, she’s being induced on Monday. I’m going to be there, and I get to bring my son or daughter home.”
“Manda! That’s amazing,” Bellamy gushes, standing and hugging her friend. They’re both wiping tears from their eyes when they pull out of the hug. Bellamy moves back to her seat as Amanda drops another bomb on us. “Ethan’s cheating on me.”
The room goes silent. Bellamy clears her throat. “Are you sure?”
Amanda nods, silent tears streaking down her cheeks. “I’m sure. He’s always at work, and anytime I invite him to go with me to things, like here for example, he makes me feel guilty for asking because he’s working so hard. I felt bad, so I took him a late dinner to the office and found him in his office with his secretary. He was doing things to her that he never did to me,” she says. “In fact, it’s been months since he’s touched me. I thought it was because of the fertility issues, but turns out, he doesn’t want me anymore.” She cries, and Bellamy stands again and goes to sit next to her, pulling her into a hug.
“What about the baby?” Rowan asks.
“I’m still going through with it. I want to be a mom, and I won’t back out. This baby needs a loving family, and I can be both mom and dad. I’ve thought about this—that’s all I’ve done is think about it—and this is what I want. I can do this without him.”