Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Our waitress brings us our food, and we both dive in. There is a lull in conversation as we eat. “I was thinking,” I say, taking a drink of my sweet tea. “Maybe we should look for a new house.”
“What? Why would we do that?” she asks, swiping her french fry through ketchup.
“Something with a bigger yard, and a couple more bedrooms.”
“We have three bedrooms.”
“I know, but once Peanut arrives, that leaves us with one spare for guests. And then when peanut number two arrives, that leaves zero.”
“Number two?” she asks, barely containing her smile. “Just how many peanuts are there going to be?”
“At least two, but I’ll take as many as you’ll give me.”
“Let’s start with this one.” She glances down at her belly. “I like our house, but the idea of a bigger yard is appealing.”
“A fresh start of sorts.”
“The house we live in now, we bought it together. It’s not like we had other people there.”
“It was just a thought. We don’t have to.”
“I’m not against it. I guess if something were to come up, then we could consider it.”
“Consider a house and marrying me?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood a little. I know I overreacted with Gina, but I can’t seem to help it.
“I’ll take both requests into consideration,” she agrees, pushing her plate away from her.
It’s not a yes, but it’s the closest thing I’ve gotten to a yes since we’ve been back together. I’ll take it.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” I ask, not wanting to end my time with her.
“Mom has been on me to register for a baby shower. I’m thinking about making a list of things we’re going to need.”
“I can go with you. Tell me when and I’ll be there.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely. I want to be involved every step of the way.”
“You’re a good man, Harrison Drake.”
“Good enough to marry?”
“I did once.”
“Yes, but will you do it again?” I counter.
“Hmmm, it’s a possibility.”
“A damn good one,” I say, standing from the table. “As much as I hate to say this, I need to get back to the gym. I have a few things I have to do today, and then when I get home tonight, we can go over that list. Maybe even go to the store and start a registry?”
“Let’s just see how the day goes,” she says, not committing.
I know why, and it pains me. I used to make plans to be home early, or on time even, and then never make it. She’s used to the old Harrison, the one who didn’t put the love of his life first. The new Harrison, the man I am now, the man who knows life without her refuses to ever go back.
“I’ll be home at five thirty,” I assure her.
“I’ll be there.” She smiles up at me. “Thank you for lunch.”
“My pleasure, baby.” With my hand on the small of her back, I walk her to her car. I steal a kiss—okay, I steal two—before opening her door for her and waving her off. Once I can no longer see her taillights, I climb into my truck and drive around the block and park in the staff parking behind the gym.
“Finally,” Gina says as soon as I walk through the door. “I’ve been waiting all day with these.” She holds up a swatch for paint.
“Gina, let me make something clear. My wife and my unborn child are my priority. Not paint samples, unless it’s Gwen asking for suggestions. When I tell you not to bother me unless it’s an emergency, I want the gym to be on fire. Got it?” I know I’m being a dick, but I can’t seem to find the will to care.
“Sorry, I just know you’ve been moving full force ahead on this project, and I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t the delay.” She says the words, but her body language tells me something different. She’s not sorry. She’s just telling me what she thinks I want to hear.
“Thank you. You’re not, and I appreciate your effort, I do, but nothing comes before them. If she calls you, find me. I don’t care who I’m with or what I’m doing. You find me and tell me it’s her. If she shows up here or any of the locations, you find me. Send her back to where I am. I don’t give a fuck who I’m training or who I’m in a meeting with. Gwen trumps all.”
“Got it.” She nods her acceptance.
“Now, what has to be done today? I’m leaving here at five.”
“That’s only four hours from now. We have paint for the Lakeview location, reception, and office furniture, plus signage.”
“We’ll work through what we can today and finish the rest tomorrow.”
“I thought we would just order in some food and work through it all.”