Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Noah
Imissed Josy’s competitive side. When I told her I always win at this game, I wasn’t lying—but I definitely wasn’t prepared for her to kick my ass.
She’s absolutely merciless, playing each move with precision and confidence.
Even when I try to distract her with a well-timed flirt or the soft brush of my fingers against her hair, she doesn’t miss a beat.
It’s both infuriating and captivating.
I can’t tell if I’m losing because I’m genuinely outmatched or because she’s such a distraction.
The way her eyes light up when she places her chips, the triumphant little smile she gives me every time she blocks my moves, makes it’s impossible to focus.
The truth is, I don’t mind losing if it means I get to keep hearing her laugh.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made her crack up tonight, and it’s been worth every point she’s scored against me.
We’ve been talking about everything and nothing, the conversation flowing easily between us.
I’m mesmerized by how beautiful she looks, even in her cozy pajamas.
The fabric clings just enough to hint at her growing baby bump, and I catch myself staring more often than I’d like to admit.
Seeing her like this—relaxed, happy, and glowing—makes my chest ache in the best way.
My fingers twitch with the urge to reach out, to touch her belly and feel the life growing inside her. Our little bell pepper. It’s such a small thing, but it’s ours, and the thought of it fills me with something I can’t quite put into words.
“So, I see Pepper is growing nicely, huh?” My voice is casual, though my eyes linger on her baby bump.
At my words, Josy’s cheeks turn a delicate shade of pink. Her right hand instinctively moves to rest over her belly, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
“Yeah,” she says, her voice quieter now. “I was thinking the same thing earlier. It’s like it happened overnight. I don’t even know when it got this big.”
Her thumb strokes absentmindedly over the fabric of her pajama top, and I can tell she’s lost in thought, marveling at the changes in her body. The moment feels intimate, almost sacred, and I don’t want to break it.
“It’s kind of amazing, isn’t it?” I say softly. “Seeing it happen, knowing it’s... happening.”
Josy looks up at me. “It is.” Her eyes warm and shining. “It’s scary, too. But mostly... amazing.”
Her honesty catches me off guard, and for a moment, I’m not sure what to say. So I don’t say anything. Instead, I let my hand move slowly, hesitantly, until it hovers just above hers on her belly. I glance at her, silently asking for permission.
She nods, and I press my hand gently to her bump.
It’s subtle but unmistakable—the curve of new life, firm and steady beneath my palm. My chest tightens, and a strange mix of awe and protectiveness washes over me.