CHAPTER 21
Olivia
M y phone is buzzing at six the next morning, and I know there’s only two people on earth who text this early.
CECE
How’d he take it?
ME
As well as someone who got the bomb dropped on them that they’re going to be a parent can. *shrug emoji*
ME
But he says he’s all in.
CECE
I’m not surprised. It’s obvious the way that man looks at you that he’d do anything for you.
I don’t know how to feel about that as I open up the next message. It’s from my father. He’ll be up and ready for his morning walk.
DAD
Morning, Sunshine.
ME
If you can call it that.
DAD
What is the most popular sport on the 4th of July?
I smile.
ME
What?
DAD
Flag football.
ME
Haha. You’re a day late.
DAD
Gotta keep you on your toes. Have a good day. Breakfast this week?
ME
You know it.
CeCe’s text pops up when I close my father’s out, and I wonder how he is going to react when I tell him he’s going to be a grandfather.
CECE
Do you think having a baby with him will help us all solve the mystery of who Asher Reed really is?
ME
I don’t know but he’s been nothing but great, and he wants to come to my ultrasound appointment with me. *Crying emoji*
CECE
A word of advice for the woman who panics when there’s no set path?
ME
Always.
CECE
If a good man wants to be there for you? Be there for his baby at every turn? Just go with it and let him. Planned or unplanned.
ME
Thanks, mama, but this is my current plan:
I send a meme of a dumpster fire followed by a thumbs-up emoji.
CECE
LOL
CECE
Last thing. When are you going to tell Ginger?
ME
I’ll tell her at girls’ night tomorrow. Then I’ll go to the doctor, then tell my parents. And then I guess everyone else we know.
ME
So you’ll have to keep it a secret just a little bit longer.
CECE
Rule number one of motherhood? Nothing ever goes according to plan. Try not to fret!
I look up at the cabin ceiling, exhausted already. I have to be at the shop in an hour, and then I’m meeting Shane at the house after lunch to go over some counter and trim samples. It’s not like I’m going home properly. But it does feel like I’m getting a piece of stability back just being there.
That house will be where my baby and I start our future. I place my hand on my stomach, relishing a moment of peace before a wave of nausea hits and I’m running for the toilet.
By the time I settle my stomach and get ready for work, the sick feeling creeps back in as I think about my day.
Pulling on a short but comfortable light blue short-sleeved sundress, I fluff my hair around my shoulders before applying my trademark ruby-red lipstick.
I finish the look with a pair of leather espadrilles, my favorite red leather saddlebag purse, simple gold hoops, and a small stack of gold bangle bracelets.
My eyes drift as I stand in front of my mirror, running a hand over my belly and thinking of Asher’s hand in the same spot last night.
The way it feels every time he touches me.
Butterflies surface as another vision enters my mind, of Asher’s head tipped back and the sound of his groan as he pushed his thick cock into me.
I shiver as I remember the way it felt when the metal of that barbell slid through my pussy.
The thought dampens my thin cotton panties and my nipples harden under the soft fabric of my dress as the ache grows between my thighs.
That’s it, baby … open up for me. It’s like you’ve never even been fucked.
I let my eyes flutter closed, remembering how it felt to be like Asher, to have no inhibitions and to just take what I needed.
I’m just sliding my hand down under my dress as my phone dings, pulling me from my daydream.
It’s the security system at the store telling me Lucy is in already.
I settle my breath and meet my own gaze in the mirror.
“Damn hormones,” I mutter as I push through my want. As I open the front door, I notice something sitting on my porch: a little brown bag.
I look around searching for whoever delivered it before carefully reaching inside to pull out a sachet of Pink Stork nausea tea and a little package of sour candies. Instead of being full of sugar like the ones I’ve been wolfing down, they’re natural and organic. A little note sits atop the bag.
Better than that Sour Patch shit, A.
I bite my lip and smile to myself. He’s looking out for the baby. This isn’t about me.
Still, I can’t resist texting him. I send a picture of the candies.
ME
How did you get this so quickly?
He answers right away.
A
Amazon.
He sends a meme of The Rock putting on sunglasses I laugh, popping one of the candies into my mouth. God-damn, it instantly settles my stomach. What kind of crazy science is this?
A
I’m helping Wade at the cabins this morning, but I should be able to pop over when you meet Shane at 1.
I breathe out a sigh of relief, glad he’ll be there to ask the questions I probably won’t think of as Shane discusses next steps.
I definitely want to be involved in the design, but baby brain is a real thing and an extra pair of ears, particularly ones that understand all this stuff, can only be a good thing.
ME
You don’t have to if you’re busy.
I hate sounding insecure, but this man makes me feel like I’m floating half the damn time.
A
Liv, I think we’re past this.
A
You’re the mother of my child now. This is a way I can help you. Let me.
The butterflies resurface at the way he calls me the mother of his child, and my filthy mind goes wild as I think of a few moments earlier when I could’ve used his help. I wonder if that counts?
A
See you at 1.
A
Blue is your color, by the way.
He can see me? I turn in the direction of the new wedding cabins in the distance.
My eyes fall on the closest one and I immediately spot Asher; he’s on the roof, tool belt around his waist, wearing jeans that fit just right.
Although I can’t see his expression from here, he gives me the two-finger salute and tips his hard hat in my direction.
I wave back, my chest heating as I head down the driveway to my car.
He’s taking care of the baby, I repeat to myself. As I start the engine, I realize what I have to do, and that’s build up my tolerance for the next seven months, because this is new territory for me.
I’ve handled quiet Asher, pissed-off Asher, I’ve even handled animalistic lust-filled Asher.
But this ? The doting dad? This is next level and I’m not really sure what to do with this Asher besides maybe invest in some extra batteries.
Because something tells me my vibrator is gonna be working overtime.