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We sit in the dark, watching the snow fall. It seems to glow as it passes the streetlight, muffling the world and giving everything a faint blue hue. Alden cuddles me close under the blanket.
I hate to revisit the subject, but there’s something he should know. “You said you were waiting to get a DNA test when the baby is born?”
“Yes, I’ll probably have to get a lawyer since she says she won’t do it.”
“You don’t have to wait until then if you don’t want to. They can tell paternity from a blood test now. They take blood from the mother and swab the father’s cheek. I went with a friend my freshman year of college when she had it done. It was more expensive, but she found out at three months pregnant who the father was.”
He turns toward me. “Seriously? That’s possible?”
“Yes. If you have enough money.”
“That’s not an issue.” He rubs his hand across his cheek, making a raspy sound against his stubble. “I’ll call a lawyer tomorrow. The sooner I know, the better.” He pauses before continuing. “If it’s mine, I have to be a part of its life. You understand that, right? I won’t be like my dad.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less of you.” The idea of him having a child with another woman is excruciating, but it would be a part of him, and I’ll love it too.
His body relaxes and he wraps his arm around me again. “Tell me what I’ve missed, El. What have you been up to since you got back? Oliver told me you found a job. Do you like it?”
“It’s okay. Pays the bills. I take marketing photos for a real estate company. Some are staged homes, but most are empty houses and buildings. I’m taking freelance jobs as well to save up money. Weddings, engagements, parties, et cetera. I’m saving to open my own studio.”
His fingers lightly caress my arm. The joy such a simple sign of affection gives me is unbelievable. Maybe because it’s still surreal that we’re finally together.
“What kind of photography do you plan to do with your own studio?”
“It’ll be focused on women and mothers. Maternity, infants, boudoir pics. There’s a big market for that now but no studios in our area that focus on it. I actually saw a great place today when I was working. Hopefully, I’ll find something similar in a few years when I might qualify for a mortgage loan. I’m already doing better than I was in Florida. I’ll get there eventually.”
“I know you will. How is it living with Tori?”
“Good. We lived together in Florida too, remember?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
I slide my hand into his, interlocking our fingers. “What’s been going on with you? I saw thefor salesign on your mom’s house.”
“Oliver and I decided to sell. Neither of us wants to live there.”
“I’m glad to see you and Oliver getting along again.” They’re the only family either of them has, except their dad, who hardly counts.
“We’re going to have to now. We used the money from the sale of the house to buy out Lewis. The old bastard is finally ready to retire. Oliver and I are partners. I own sixty percent, he owns forty. He’ll handle the business side of things. The accounting, inventory, all that shit he’s good at, while I do the hands-on stuff.” He grins at me. “We already ordered a new sign. Stokes Brothers Custom Cycles. How does that sound?”
He's so happy. I straddle his lap and look him in the eye. “Like you made your dream come true. I’m proud of you. You did it.”
The slight blush that washes over his cheeks is adorable. “You’re the dream, El.”
CHAPTER8
Voices from the kitchen wake me the next morning. My sheets smell like Alden, and I breathe in the scent, replaying last night in my mind. We’re together. The man I thought would never settle down and want a relationship is all mine.
My body aches from all the sex last night. If he’s going to fuck me like that every time, I need to get in better shape. I open my dresser, throw on some clothes, give my teeth a quick brushing, then join them in the kitchen.
Alden leans against the counter, a cup of coffee steaming in his hand. His eyes scan over me like I’m wearing lingerie instead of sweatpants and a hoodie. “Morning gorgeous.”
“Good morning.” It certainly is. He looks ridiculously sexy with his mussed hair, dark jeans, and fitted tee that outlines his lean muscles.
Tori pipes up from her place at the table. “Your boyfriend cleaned off your car and shoveled the walk. We’re keeping him.”
“We are, huh? When did you get home?”
“About half an hour ago. The roads aren’t too bad.”
