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Our heads swivel in sync toward the living room to find Caleb and Gracie standing there, hand in hand. Gracie’s gaze meets mine and I lean my head against Eli’s, so tempted to tell her the good news about the baby.
But I keep my mouth shut. And so does Eli.
“What are you two doing here?” Eli asks, his voice casual. Like it’s no big deal that I’m sitting in his lap and we’re hanging all over each other.
“I should ask you two the same thing,” Gracie says as she enters the kitchen and goes straight to the fridge, grabbing a beer from inside. “Caleb didn’t mention this.”
“It just happened,” Eli says.
“I’m assuming you knew?” She sends her boyfriend an evil glare as she hands him the beer. “And just forgot to mention it to me?”
Caleb looks slightly terrified as he takes the beer from her. “I didn’t know what was happening between these two. I literally just figured it out.”
Not really since he saw us together earlier, but none of us mention that.
Gracie sits in the chair Eli was in only a few minutes ago. “You two are adorable. Seriously, Ava, you’re glowing. I can tell you’re so happy to be back together.”
I’m glowing for other reasons, but I’m not going to mention them to Gracie. Not yet.
I want to keep this a secret for a little while longer.
We all four chat around the table for a while, and eventually move to the living room. Caleb starts up a movie on Hulu and after only about a half hour into it, I can barely keep my eyes open, I’m so tired.
More tired than usual. Maybe it’s the baby? Or the emotional letdown after such a busy and overwhelming day?
I’m not sure, but the next thing I know, Eli is gently shaking me awake and the movie is over. We say good night to Caleb and Gracie and I follow Eli into his room, going immediately to the bed the moment he shuts the door.
“You snored,” he tells me as he slips off his shirt.
I pause, admiring his bare chest before I climb beneath the sheets and tug them over me. “Loud?”
“I heard you. I’m guessing Caleb and Gracie did too.”
“I was tired.” A yawn escapes me and I cover my mouth. “I still am.”
“My poor baby.” He gets rid of his sweats and joins me in bed, turning off the lamp on his nightstand. “So tired.”
I let him pull me into his arms, resting my head on his bare chest. “I’m awake now. I just slept for the last two hours.”
We’re quiet for a few minutes, basking in each other’s presence before he asks me, “Do your parents know where you are?”
I nod, skimming my fingers across his pecs. “I texted my mom earlier and told her I was with you.”
“She cool with it? With us getting back together?” His voice is casual, but I can tell he’s worried.
All Eli has ever wanted was my family’s approval.
“Well, she didn’t tell me to leave that asshole’s house, stat.” I laugh when he tickles my side. “You walked into that one.”
“Uh huh.” His fingers brush against my waist, making tingles sweep over my skin. “When are we going to tell our parents about baby Bennett?”
“Not yet,” I tell him, closing my eyes when he gently rubs my belly. “I just want to savor this moment with you first.”
He keeps touching me, splaying his hand across my stomach, shifting downward so he can press a kiss to my belly. “I’m going to take care of you, Ava. You and our baby. I promise.”
“I know you are.” I stroke his hair, loving this man who’s not afraid to show all of his love for me. If I was terrified when the day first started, I’m definitely not scared now.
Eli will take care of us.
