Watching her makes me smile. She’s always loved her food and is unapologetic about it. I think some of it comes from when she was younger and didn’t have much because her dad was always too drunk to go food shopping. As soon as I told my mum, she had me invite Lacey around for tea, and she never left.
I must have been staring too long because, around a mouthful of food – yes, she truly is that comfortable around me – she mumbles, “Whatcha staring at?”
My ears heat up from getting caught. “It’s nothing.”
Lacey gives me the side eye, as if she doesn’t believe me. She clears her throat and taps her knee under the table, another one of her nervous tells.
“Cole, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“I got a call from the doctor's office this morning. They’ve booked my scan for the baby next week, and I was wondering if you would come with me? I don’t want to go alone.”
I feel a funny sensation behind my eyes. It means the fucking world to me that she wants me there to help her. “Of course, just send me the time and date, and I’ll make sure to clear work for that day.”
She sits back, blowing out a breath. She looks relieved, like I could ever say no to her anyway.
“Thank you, Cole. I’ll buy us lunch that day.”
“You don’t need to buy me lunch, Lacey. We’re best friends.” I hesitate for a second, unsure if I should say what I want to say, but then my brain has other ideas and makes me say it anyway, “There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for you.”
The little hitch in her breath and the flush in her cheeks give her away.
I think my best friend likes me back.
Chapter 7
Lacey
13weekspregnant.Babysize – small peach.
Sunday rolls around so quickly that it feels like I blinked and missed the time between having lunch with Cole and now.
My stomach is in knots this morning, and every time I think about going round to the Petersons’ for Sunday dinner, my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. Deep down, I know they’re supportive, I know they love me and have accepted me as part of the family, but a small part of me wonders if they think I’m cheap for having a one-night stand and then getting pregnant.
I’ve spent the week agonising over it. Cole has told me a million times to stop worrying, that no one thinks less of me. At least he doesn’t, but that’s another thing that has been plaguing me – the constant dreams about Cole naked, Cole as the fatherof my baby, us building a life together. You name it, I’ve dreamt it! Sometimes I catch him staring at me or my stomach, where little Peanut lives, and I swear I can see the longing in his eyes. But then he notices me watching him, and his face changes back to the ever-present, sensible, and best friend-like.
Ugh, why are men so difficult to read?
I hear Cole’s truck pulling up outside. Taking one last look in the mirror, I smile at what I see. My long blonde hair has finally gotten its bounce back, my blue eyes sparkle again, and those horrible bags underneath my eyes have packed up and flown away. I swipe some lip oil on and pucker those bad boys, blowing myself a kiss, because why not?
I lock my door, and when I turn around, my eyes bug out. Cole’s leaning against his sleek black truck, but it isn’t the truck that is making my mind go gaga. No, that would be his arms. I remember Emmy banging on about CJ’s forearms, and I thought she was insane, but holy shit, now I get it.Has he been working out?He’s wearing a short-sleeved black Henley with the first few buttons undone, a smattering of dark hair peeking out. His black jeans cling to his thighs for dear life. My eyes travel back up, and his dark hair has the perfect waves on top. Oh, and those lips, don’t get me started on those lips.
“Lacey, are you going to stand there all day or…?”
His voice snaps me out of my drool-fest. My face heats as I realise I must have been standing there longer than I thought. “Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to grab these flowers and wine from me?” I quip back at him.
He walks over to me and takes the wine and flowers I bought for his mum. He raises an eyebrow at me. “You know you don’t need to bring her bribes for her to love you? She already does.”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up. It isn’t a bribe because I always bring her flowers and her favourite wine. It’s why she leaves me anextra trifle that none of you know about.” I smile widely at the incredulous look on his face.
“Wow, holding out on me with the trifle? Get in the truck, Lacey.” He holds the door open for me.
“Ooh, so bossy.” I sass him right back, but really, commanding Cole is leaving me a little hot and bothered.
Cole buckles himself in and starts the truck, and as he pulls away, he surprises me by saying, “Did you know little Peanut is the size of a small peach this week?”
I bark out a laugh. “How the hell do you know that?”
