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“Aw…you guys! I can’t wait to see what you two come up with!” Gemma beams.
“It’ll be nothing if you keep whining about it,” Everleigh teases.
“Don’t worry, we have the date already set and the venue reserved. Just need to plan the little things,” I reassure her.
“Okay, well don’t forget that I love, like really love cake.”
“There will most definitely be plenty of that.” I smirk.
After checking out and saying our goodbyes, I drop off my bags at my car and grab my binder of notes. Then we walk to the Coffee Palace and find a cozy spot in the corner.
“Alright, before we dive in, I have to ask…” I say, sipping on my chai tea latte. “Are you seriously considering letting Archer move in with you? A guy you’ve never met before?”
Everleigh nods. “Yeah, I mean, I’m at the boutique all the time anyway, and he’ll be working at the gym, so it’s not like we’ll be around each other that much. Tyler said he’s a good guy and very protective. Sounds like someone I need in my life anyway.”
“Gemma says he comes with a lot of baggage. Hope you’re prepared for what’s to come after he’s served his time.”
“Well, not any more prepared than you or Gemma were,” she says with a casual shrug.
“Gemma and I both had a history with the guys we ended up with. You’ve never spoken to Archer.”
“No, but it’d only be temporary. If he wasn’t Tyler’s friend, then I would think twice about allowing it, but he needs help just like Tyler and Noah did.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
It’s not that I don’t trust her instincts, but neither of us knows Archer.
“Tyler told me why he’s in prison,” Everleigh states. “And it’s not what you think.”
“All I know is that he went to prison for killing his sister’s abusive boyfriend. His lawyers were able to prove self-defense, which helped him get a shorter sentence,” I say.
“His sister actually shot her boyfriend, and he took the fall. Fabricated the evidence so his fingerprints were on the gun instead of hers.”
My brows shoot up in shock. “Wait, really?”
“He walked in right after she shot him and didn’t think twice about it. A few weeks later, she found out she was pregnant.”
“Oh my God. That’s…crazy.”
“I know. So even though he’s rough around the edges, he’s a decent guy. Anyone who would do that for their family has to be,” Everleigh says.
“Well, just please be careful. I know the damaged kind is just your type,” I tease with a smirk.
“Damaged, mommy issues, tragic past…sign me up.” She waggles her brows, and I burst out laughing.
“I think you have your own issues, girl. I should be warning him instead,” I tease.
“Probably should.” She winks. “But anywho, let’s plan this baby shower.”
Everleigh looks over my notes. “Cupcakes, streamers, and a male stripper.”
I snort. “That’s not what it says. Nice try, though.”
“No, but it should,” she grumbles.
After we chat for a couple of hours and plan everything from the food to the games and guest list, I head home. I’m exhausted but excited to see my boys.
“Hey,” I greet Noah as soon as I find him in the kitchen alone, loading plates into the dishwasher. “Well, if that isn’t the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“There’s my beautiful baby mama.”
I arch a brow. “Excuse me?”
He smirks, pulling me against his chest. “Wanted to hear what it sounded like. Sixteen-year-old me is still shocked you’re having my babies.”
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I smirk. “Me too, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Noah tilts my chin up and presses his lips to mine.
“Owen crashed already. So I guess that gives us some alone time…”
I giggle. “You must’ve kept him busy today.”
“We worked hard. I think he had fun, though.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear that after how moody he’s been lately.”
“We chatted a little, and I mainly just listened,” he explains.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” I pull him down for another kiss. “Wanna come to bed with your baby mama?”
“Fuck yes.” He growls, biting my bottom lip. “I’ll meet you in there after I finish up in here.”
He smacks my ass as I walk away.
“Don’t bother wearing clothes either.”
Chapter Sixteen
NOAH
“Have you seen my shoes?” Katie asks, frantically walking around the bedroom.
“Which ones?”
“The black strappy ones.”
I raise a brow. “The ones in your hand?”
She stops and looks down, sighing. “Oh my God. I swear, this baby brain…”
“You’re freaking out, sweetheart. You need to calm down.” I embrace her, hoping to comfort her. “It’s supposed to be an exciting day.”
“I know, and it is, but I’m just so nervous.”
I palm her cheeks and bring my lips to hers, tasting the sweet tea she drank earlier. “Don’t be. The babies are healthy, and today, we get to find out what they are. No more calling them olive and pea.”
