Page 102 of Blue Line

“Want to go get a cup of coffee or a snack?” I rub my stomach. “Wonder what kind of baked goods they have.”

She links her fingers with mine. “Come on, let’s go, fiancé.”

“Say it again.”

“Let’s go?”

“No, the other part.”

“Fiancé?”

I don’t know that I’ll ever tire of hearing her say that. Wait, I take that back, I can’t wait to hear her call me her husband. I give her a quick peck on the cheek before leading her out of the room and toward the elevators so we can go down to the cafeteria.

“So,” she says, leaning against the wall of the elevator. “I’m not going to take the job with the Storm.”

“I figured as much.”

“I told Sutton I’d fill in for a few months until they can hire someone permanent, but I think I want to start my own business. Maybe that’s a silly decision since the job with the Storm would be steady income …”

I step into her space, dipping down so I can meet her eyes. “It’s not silly if that’s where your heart is. I’ll support whatever you want to do. I’ve told you that before, and I really do mean it. And anything I can do, let me know, because this time, I promise not to meddle.”

She leans closer and kisses me. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you, Hadley. Anything for you.”

“Same, Weston. Same. It’s you and me against the world now. Are you ready for that?”

I grin, my heart feeling like it’s swelling to twice its normal size at her words. “Yes. Always.”

The elevator door slides open, and we walk out hand in hand. I barely register the snacks we find in the cafeteria or what we bring back upstairs for everyone else, too excited for the future with Hadley.

We spend the next few hours relaxing with our friends, as best we can, while we wait for news from Hunter and Madison. I stay glued to Hadley’s side, so much so that she has to shoo me away when I go to follow her into the bathroom. I’m obsessed, what can I say?

Eventually, Hunter comes bursting through the waiting room door with the biggest smile on his face I’ve ever seen. The room instantly goes quiet.

“Tate Jake Rhodes is here. Mom and baby are doing well,” he says.

I glance over at Coach just in time to see him wiping tears from his eyes. He and Madison had a rocky start when he found out about her a few years ago, so for them to use his name as their son’s middle name says a lot about the relationship they all have now.

We congratulate Hunter with hugs and handshakes. He can’t stop grinning, and it makes me happy to see my friend so excited.

“Mads is resting; she’s exhausted, so we’re going to limit visitors to just Jake and Aunt Judy. I hope you all understand. But I’ll check in when we get home, hopefully tomorrow afternoon, and maybe we can stagger visits over the next few days.”

“We completely understand if you want us to hold off a few weeks,” Holt says, glancing around at all of us.

I nod in agreement, even though I really want to meet my nephew. But I do understand they might want time alone without all of us traipsing through their house and possibly bringing germs in.

“We’ll let you know,” Hunter says. “I should get back.”

“Before you go, I stopped by the house on our way here and filled up your freezer,” Madison’s aunt says.

“Let us know if we can send you meals or coffee. Whatever you guys need,” Caleb adds.

“Thank you,” Hunter says before turning and walking away.

“So.” I pull Hadley against my chest. “What do you say we go home and celebrate our engagement?” I bounce my eyebrows at her.

She chuckles, patting my chest. “I should probably go back to Holt’s and pack my stuff up first.”