Page 92 of Make it a Double

If my father got his hands on this portfolio, it would ruin Pinecrest as it was. He’d strip all the charm away, making it just as soulless as the cookie-cutter properties he slapped up across the country. People didn’t need another corporation scooping in to take their business; they needed a community, and that was what the Hart family was determined to protect.

Lukas held out the keys, dangling them in my face once more. “I can’t just take this,” I said, shaking my head. “I said I wanted to make a purchase, and intend on doing so.”

He grabbed my hand, flipping it over before depositing the keys into my palm. Then he curled my fingers around them and stepped away. “Liv will sort out the contract with you later, but she didn’t want to wait for you to have access. Especially with the baby coming so soon. It’s ready to move in, but I’ve already got a crew on standby for the renovations we’ll need to make. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll go over the details and hit the ground running.”

I glanced down at the keys in my hand, running my thumb over the worn brass. People usually weren’t this kind in the world I grew up in. It was much more common to be met with greed and an eternally open fist begging for more. Yet, there were people in my life now who’d shown me more kindness than I’d ever experienced.

“Let’s set up a meeting next week,” I said, depositing the keys in my pocket. “I’ve got to surprise my girl first.”

Lukas swung his arm around my shoulder as we walked out into the sunshine. “You know, you’re making the rest of us look bad. We can’t all buy houses for the women in our lives.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to reel someone in eventually,” I joked.

“Yeah, yeah.” He waved me off. “Can’t wait to make this thing y’all’s dream home. Whatever you need, it’s yours.” He let his arm drop, nudging me with his elbow. “After all, you’re family now.”

SAWYER

Date: Saturday, April 17th

33 weeks:

- Kicking like hell

- Team no sleep

Beckett and I pulled up to Liv’s house at a quarter till ten, and I cursed as I saw the number of cars sitting in her drive. My palms had already been sweating all morning because I had no idea what to expect regarding today’s festivities. I’d been forced to leave them, in their entirety, to a woman who wouldn’t know subtle if it punched her in the face.

“What the fuck, Liv,” I muttered beneath my breath. I told her to keep it low-key, but I should’ve known she wouldn’t listen. If there was one thing she loved, it was planning a party. For Charlie’s last birthday, she rented out an entire water park just for a group of twenty or so to enjoy without having to wait in lines.

Like I said… Ridiculous.

Beckett parked his SUV behind Duke’s truck before reaching over and grabbing my hand. “She just wanted you to have the best day. Don’t be too mad at her.”

“But I told her I didn’t want all this,” I groaned. “In case you hadn’t figured it out, being the center of attention isn’t my forte. There is nothing I like less.”

“It’s just one day, sugar. I’ll make it up to you tonight. I promise.” His lips twitched as he brought the back of my hand up for a kiss. “You like being the center of my attention.”

My body heated at his words. Since the rodeo and our little weekend between the sheets, Beckett and I had been inseparable. I spent every night in his bed, falling asleep in his arms, and waking up with his tongue or fingers pressed against my clit. Starting my day with an orgasm had definitely improved my mood, even if we hadn’t had sex yet. At least I understood his reasoning.

I did, however, bring it up again at my last doctor’s appointment. Dr. Adler might have been on my shit list since the diagnosis, but that changed the moment she looked him dead in the eye and told him that I was cleared for sex as long as I wasn’t in any pain.

Staying with Beckett did come at a cost, though. Every morning before work, I had to get up early to swing by the trailer and check on Grams. If she was missing me being home, I couldn’t tell. She seemed to be living her best life with Harold. He’d started taking her to all of her doctor’s appointments, and joining her at the retirement home with the rest of her friends. It was actually kind of cute seeing them together. We even offered to drive her today, but she told us that Harold was her hot date and she would meet us here.

“You’d better,” I warned. “Or else there’ll be hell to pay.”

Beckett winked, hopping out and walking around to my side to help me out. “Is that a threat or a promise?” he asked, whispering in my ear.

I shivered as his hot breath skated down my neck. He was standing so close to me, all I could think about was how he’d already made me come once this morning. “Both.”

“Good. That’s what I was hoping for.” Beckett grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. “Come on. Let’s go see what the evil mastermind is up to.”

The moment we walked in, I wanted to run back out the door. Everyone turned to look at me as a chorus of congratulations rang out. People I hadn’t seen in months came up to shake both Beckett’s hand and mine. Judging by his wide-eyed expression, I was willing to bet he was just as overwhelmed as I was. Even our regulars at the bar had ventured out of their natural habitat to join the festivities.

The crowd around us parted as Liv slipped through, watching me carefully for my reaction. “Okay, so don’t be mad…”

“Olivia, this is too many people!” I whispered harshly, dragging her closer. “This is too much.”

“It’s perfect, Sawyer. I know you don’t believe you deserve to be celebrated and loved, but you do.” Her gaze softened as she took my hand. “I’m sorry you’re uncomfortable. I just wanted to show you that, with or without Beckett in the picture—” she shot him an apologetic glance “—you are never alone. There are so many people who want to support you.”