Page 52 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

And just like that, the moment is gone.

CHAPTER 18

BERTIE

When I told Rosie that we found out the baby was a boy she screamed for a solid minute and made me regret the fact that I called instead of texted her.

“We get to raise boys together!” She had cried once she settled somewhat. “And luckily, this doesn’t mess up my baby shower theming.” She had then launched into a long-winded spiel about everything she had planned from photo-ops, to games, to even the cake.

“Does this look okay?” I ask Luke as I waddle out to the living room. Even though it’s June and the baby isn’t due until the middle of September, I’m already beginning to waddle. If Luke’s noticed, he hasn’t commented on it. I didn’t think I’d be walking like this until nearly the end, but once my belly popped it’s completely messed up my equilibrium—hence the waddle.

Since it’s a bear theme, I opted for a dark brown fitted dress. It hugs my bump and my boobs that I swear are getting bigger by the second.

Luke looks me over with eyes so blue they don’t seem real. His Adam’s apple bobs with a swallow, and his eyes make their way back up to meet my gaze.

“Yeah, you look great.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” He wears a pair of light-colored pants and a blue button down with the sleeves rolled up, showing off the tattoos on his left arm.

“Are you ready to go?” he asks and stands from the couch.

Even in the pair of heels—okay, so they’re kitten heels, but still—I wear, he towers above me. I swear my hormones pant at the sight of him lately. My nipples tighten and I pray he can’t see them through the cotton of my dress, but when his eyes drop and his brows go up, I know he can definitely see.

He clears his throat but says nothing. Smart man.

I grab my purse and follow him outside. “Can we take the truck?”

He eyes me like he thinks I might be partially crazy, but says, “Sure.”

“And,” I drawl the word. “Could we stop at McDonald’s on the way?” I bat my eyes. “I’m craving an emotional support Sprite.”

“Yep.” He opens the passenger door for me.

Before he closes the door, I decide to tease him, “And maybe on the way you can pull over, and I can give you head?”

His eyes threaten to pop out of his head. “I … huh … what did you say?”

I burst into laughter. “I’m kidding, Luke. I just wanted to see if you were listening. Good to know you are.” I give his chest a pat.

Shaking his head, he shuts my door.

“You’re insane, woman,” he says, getting in the truck.

“So, I take it that means no, then?” I joke.

He just shakes his head.

The baby shower is being held at Rosie and Daire’s townhouse. I’m not quite sure what to expect. To be frank, I don’t have many friends. I was more of a social butterfly in my freshman and sophomore year, but as my relationship with Tommy became more toxic, I pulled away from those friendships. I’m sure the same would have happened with Rosie if she hadn’t been my roommate.

I think I’ll always regret that I let things get so bad with Tommy. I stupidly kept believing him when he said he’d change, but there was never any action on his part.

Now, there’s Luke—who I’m too terrified to tell him I have real feelings for him—who constantly shows me through action that he’s going to take care of me. I kept wondering why I wasn’t running out of gas and when I mentioned it off-handedly to him he said, “Oh, I check it and when you start to get low, I take it down the street and fill it up.”

This man has been keeping my car filled with gas, not carrying that I didn’t even know he was doing it. He did it because he wanted to. Simple as that.

When we pull up to their townhouse, I’m surprised by the number of vehicles I see.

“Who all did Rosie invite?” I voice out loud, though I’m not actually expecting a response from Luke.