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EPILOGUE
Dominic
A year or so later…
“It’s so hot, can you please turn up the air conditioning again?” Val sits on the sofa, her hands on her bulging belly.
“I’m out.” Ryder walks out of his bedroom in a parka and sweatpants. Right before he’s about to go out the door, he strips down to a T-shirt and athletic shorts.
“Wait. Hug before you leave.” Val puts out her arms.
Ryder looks at me like she’s kidding, right?
I raise my hands in a just make it fast motion.
He runs over, pats her on the back, kisses her cheek, and runs to the door.
“Have fun at your father’s.”
“Yep. Bye, Dom. Hope you got the mink blanket for tonight.” He laughs and leaves the condo.
I don’t adjust the air conditioning again because she’s six months pregnant, not nine. But I’ll give her that it’s hotter than hell in New York right now since we’re in the middle of the worst heatwave in years.
Things are great with us. We’re happy, and that’s all that matters. I spend fewer hours at the office than I used to. Less being an eight in the morning to six at night workday. But when I have the choice between spending time with Val or my computer, she wins every time.
Mama is beyond excited about her first grandchild. I might’ve been a late starter, but I got the job done before any of my siblings.
Before I have a chance to sit down with my wife, another knock sounds on the door. The worst part about us being pregnant and married and having everyone know it is that I have to share her with all our family.
“It’s Blanca,” Val says. “She just texted me she was here.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I’m not even in the loop with my own sister anymore.
I open the door, and Blanca steps in and wraps her arms around herself.
“It’s freezing in here. You have icicles on your eyebrows.” She points, and I feel my face because she could legitimately be telling the truth. She hits me in the stomach and steps past me. “I’m kidding. You and Ryder need to stop giving her hell.”
Blanca makes her way over to the couch and curls up beside Val, pulling a blanket over her.
“I love you, Blanc, but you gotta get away from me with that blanket. You and your brother, I swear.”
“Be careful, she punched me when I tried to cuddle last night.” I sit in the chair across from them, propping my feet up on the table.
Val narrows her eyes at me, but I challenge her right back until we both laugh. Blanca slides over to the other end of the couch.
“How’s the job?” I ask. My little sis got a job at a small magazine. I’m proud of her, and she seems to love it.
“It’s good. I’m enjoying it.”
“Any cute boys work there?” Val asks with a smile. After Blanca played such a major role in us getting together, Val wants to help her find someone. Unfortunately, we don’t know anyone her age.
“Well…”
“Oh spill.” Val turns on the couch to face her. “I’m over Netflix. I’ve watched everything. I want some real gossip.”
“It’s just this guy I work with.”
