Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I just nod, hoping I can give Lauren the happy ending she deserves. We’re two months into this dating thing, and I think I’m doing all right so far.
“So,” I start. “Have you thought of names?”
“I have. Ethan, Peter, Jackson, and Aiden are my top boys names.”
“Nope to Peter. He’d face a lifetime of dick jokes. Ethan, eh, not really a fan. Same with Aiden. Jackson is a yes, but that’s because I like Sons of Anarchy.”
“Jackson it is then.”
“What about girl names?”
“I think it’s a boy,” she says.
I shake my head. “Nope. It’s a girl.”
“I hope it’s a girl,” she says and takes my hand again. “Is that horrible to admit?”
I slow and tip my head down to look into her eyes. “No, because I want a girl too.”
“You do?”
“I want her to be like you.”
Lauren’s green eyes get a bit misty. Then she blinks and looks away. “Well, I’m not perfect. And hopefully this kid doesn’t inherit my asthma. Or shellfish allergies. Or fear of heights and public speaking.”
“You can’t pass that stuff down, right?”
“Nah. Well, the allergies and asthma yeah, of course. But not the fears.”
“If it’s a girl, I hope she looks like you. But has my height, because you’re kind of short.” We both laugh and I lean over to kiss her. “But if it’s a girl?”
“Ella. I’ve had my heart set on that forever.”
“Ella Wilson … I can work with that.”
“You want our kid to have your last name?”
Her question is like a sucker punch. A reminder that we’re not actually together. A reminder that she doesn’t love me. Not yet, at least.
“Noah!” someone calls.
I look up and see Melody slowing from a jog to a walk. She’s wearing a bright-pink sports bra, with a pushup underneath. Not that she needs it with those big, fake tits. Her spandex shorts just barely cover her ass, and she’s got a full face of makeup on. I turn to Lauren, eyes going to her belly. If I do end up with a daughter, I don’t want her to alter her body for the sake of sex appeal.
“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Melody says, completely ignoring Lauren.
“I’ve been busy.” I tighten my grip on Lauren’s hand.
Melody blinks, looking at Lauren like she just appeared. “Oh, uh, hi. Who are you?”
“I’m Lauren. Nice to meet you.”
“This is Melody,” I say to Lauren. “She lives across from me.”
Melody gives a tight smile. “How do you two know each other?”
The world “girlfriend” burns on the tip of my tongue. I want so bad to say it, but don’t, afraid Lauren doesn’t want to be it.
“We met in high school,” Lauren says. “He’s my brother’s best friend.”
I smirk. When she says it like that, it has a forbidden sexiness to it that turns me on. I slip my arm around Lauren.
“You got dogs?” Melody asks, eyeing Vader nervously. To be fair, the large dog stands protectively in front of Lauren, giving Melody a judgmental stare. “I saw you come in with them last night.”
“They’re not mine,” I tell her. “We didn’t want to leave them at Lauren’s and have to go back in the morning.” I reach down and pat Sasha’s head. I’ve always liked dogs, and now I’m starting to really like these guys, almost as if they were mine.
“Oh, so you two are…”
“Dating?” I supply. “Yeah, we are.”
“I thought you didn’t date,” Melody blurts.
I shrug. “I didn’t, but I do now.” I turn just in time to see Lauren smile.
Melody’s face falls. “Oh, uh, that’s nice.” She inhales and regains her composure. “Well, good luck with him,” she tells Lauren. “Enjoy it while it lasts. I hope you know what you’re getting into.”
“I’m well aware,” Lauren retorts, not missing a beat. “Nice to meet you.” Melody leaves in a huff, jogging away. Lauren faces me. “A bit of a heartbreaker, are you?”
“I can’t help it.”
“Really. So what’s the story with her?”
Tell Lauren about my booty calls? Nope, that’s not uncomfortable at all. “We hooked up.”
“No shit.”
I look down at Lauren, the shock apparent on my face.
“Noah, come on. I’ve known you for years. I know how you are—were—with the ladies.”
“Oh, right. Melody and I had a no-strings arrangement and she got attached. That’s all.”
“You really think the whole no-strings thing ever works?”
“If done right.”
She rolls her eyes. “Maybe. I’ve never tried.”
I squeeze her hand. “I never would have guessed,” I tease. We step off the boardwalk and start hiking through the woods. Vader stops and sniffs at everything, and Sasha pulls on her leash. I don’t know which is more annoying.
“I’m going over to Colin’s tonight for video games,” I tell her.
“Is he still acting weird?”
“He glares a lot, but hasn’t said anything. Other than that, things are normal. He’s had a while to accept it by now.”