AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Glad to know you heard the most important part of what I said.” I wrapped the beautiful cream knit scarf around the mannequin’s neck. “Finished.” I stepped off the platform and made my way back to the counter.
“Answer me, Bird. You’re not seriously considering moving to Florida.”
“Why not?”
“Because I need you. What if I’m…” Her voice dropped to a whisper as she patted her tummy. “Y’know.”
Ember cracked me up. Nobody was in the boutique to hear her, but I guess she wasn’t taking any chances. Unlike me, talking about the only man I have ever loved and would ever love.
“If you are, I’ll stay.” I smiled brightly to assure her. Ember should know I’d never leave if she had a baby. For years we’d talked about her getting pregnant. I would be Auntie Birdie. Auntie Birdie. Such a perfect name.
Since I had no desire to have a bundle of joy, I would spoil Em’s baby.
She slumped against the counter and let out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t even know what to pray for. That I am? That I’m not? If I am, will he understand?”
I knew she was torn up about Dante. Despite dating other guys over the years, her heart had always belonged to him. She’d had a plan to get the procedure so by the time he returned, she’d know if she was pregnant. My fearless bestie would’ve told him right away if she was pregnant, but it was too early. Dante had totally messed up her plan.
I covered her hand with mine. “Always pray you are, Em. Having a baby of your own has been your dream for years. Talk to Dante. He’ll support you. And I think he already suspects something is up with you.”
“How do you know?” Worry flashed in her chocolate-brown eyes.
“He texted me this morning. It was so weird. He asked if you were doing okay and feeling well.”
She screwed up her face. “That is weird. So weird. But there’s no way Dante knows what I did yesterday, right?”
I shrugged and fanned my hands out to the side. “Ya know how these men are. How does Raymond show up everywhere I am? For example, the restaurant yesterday.”
“Right.”
I could tell she was turning my words around in her head and processing. Her big doe eyes were going wild, bouncing off the walls, floor, and ceiling.
“Like how’d we end up at the same restaurant?” I asked her. “It’s The Cities.” I emphasized the words and said them slowly.
“Yeah, but…”
“There are hundreds. Maybe thousands of dining establishments in all of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Em.”
“You’re creeping me out, Bird. Do you think Raymond was following us? Could he have been at the clinic?”
“It’s possible. Why, though? My dad swears he doesn’t have a prospect or Raymond following me. Yet, I feel like eyes are on me at all hours of the day.”
“Oh gosh. I would die if Dante knew I got IVF.”
“Just tell him. He can’t judge you for doing what is right for you under the circumstances.”
“Have you ever known a biker to be okay with another man getting their girl pregnant?”
I tapped my finger on my lips. “No. But if any of the Knights would be okay with it, it would be Uncle Lynx. He’s the chillest and most compassionate. Then maybe Uncle Dodge.”
“Yeah, and the others are over the top possessive.”
“Dante could be like his dad.”
“I doubt it. I wouldn’t be so lucky.”
My cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and saw a text from Dante.
Is Ember with you?
