Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Took a bath,” Gavin replied with a scowl.
“Played with my Lincoln Logs!” Keller yelled again.
“Not so loud, bud,” I warned Keller as Gunner scooted onto my lap between me and the guitar I was using to hide my growing bump.
It was silly, but normally the laptop was tilted enough that Shane only saw us from the chest up and I was feeling a bit self-conscious.
“My Lincoln Logs, too!” Gavin shot at Keller.
“Mostly mine,” Keller taunted back.
“Boys,” Shane said sternly, quieting them both. “Enough.”
God, I wished I could say two words that would stop them that fast.
“See, Daddy?” Sage called as she went to stand in front of the camera holding the small cake I’d picked up.
“That’s an awesome cake!” Shane replied, nodding. “Is it chocolate?”
“Yep!”
“Why don’t you guys go sit down and Auntie Kate can bring me into the kitchen while you eat it?”
“Yeah!” Keller and Gavin yelled in tandem, their screech making Shane wince and laugh. The changes in volume must have been killing his ears.
I let Gunner down so he could follow the kids into the kitchen and stood up, holding the guitar awkwardly in front of me.
“Hey,” I said before pushing my lips together and smiling slightly.
“Hey,” he answered, smiling back in amusement.
It was the first time in weeks that I’d seen him without the kids crawling up and down off my lap to speak to him, and I felt shy knowing that we were relatively alone.
“Why are you carrying around the guitar?” he asked.
“Um.” Great, Katherine. Um is not an answer. Get it together.
“I want to see you,” he said quietly. “Put the guitar down.”
“Um. I’m a bit bigger—”
“Let me see, Katie,” he ordered gently.
I turned completely around to set the guitar back in its case on the ground and jumped in surprise when a wolf whistle played over my laptop’s speakers.
I was laughing when I turned back around, but it was abruptly cut off by the look on his face.
“She’s making herself known,” I said sheepishly, running my hand over the curve of my belly.
“Look at you,” he breathed, a small smile playing over his lips. “You’re gorgeous.”
“Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah.” His smile grew bigger.
“Auntie Kate, come on!” Keller yelled from the kitchen, ending our quiet moment.
“Time for cake,” I announced, walking toward the laptop.
“Can’t wait,” he replied with a smirk, and I had this odd feeling that he was staring at my boobs.
* * *
The kids were hyped up for the rest of the night, but I couldn’t really blame them. A Skype date and cake all in the same night? It was like Christmas.
When I finally crawled into bed and got my laptop situated on my lap, I wasn’t sure how much longer I was going to be able to keep my eyes open. I had to figure out a couple of different ideas to take to a client, and I was pretty sure they were going to be complete crap if I tried to brainstorm that night.
Instead I logged onto Facebook and began uploading photos of the night. I knew my mom and Aunt Ellie would get a kick out of seeing how excited the kids had been for the birthday party. When Shane suddenly instant-messaged me, my back straightened as if he could see me.
You awake?
I cracked my knuckles then shook my hands above the keyboard, staring at the two words. Shit, I had to answer or he was going to sign off!
Yep, just downloading some pics from tonight :)
Those should be good.
I’ve got one of Gunner with frosting in his hair and up his nose.
Haha How the hell did he do that?
I’m pretty sure Keller had something to do with it.
That wouldn’t surprise me.
So…what are you doing online again?
I had some time.
So you decided to stalk me on Facebook?
Pretty much.
Well, stalk away then.
Hey so earlier you called the baby she…
And?
Did you already find out?
Oh! No! You just always call the baby “he” so I’ve been using “she.” I figure that way one of us is right. Haven’t had my appointment yet.
Pretty soon though, right?
Yeah, next week. The office has been completely backed up so it’s a bit later than normal.
Do you think you could tell me first? I know you’ll want to tell your mom.
Yes. You’ll know first, I promise.
He didn’t message for a while, and I watched the little green dot on the screen like a hawk, afraid that he’d signed off.
You look really good.
My stomach flipped, and I rolled my eyes at what he’d see if we were Skyping then. I’d wiped off the little eye makeup I’d had on and the concealer that covered the dark circles under my eyes. I looked like shit.
Ha! You just need to get laid.
Well, that too. LOL
No sex for you! *said in soup guy voice from Seinfeld*
You better not be getting any either.
When the hell would I have the time?