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“For right now. You’ll be visiting in a few weeks, right?”
He nods, unable to look at me.
“Beau, please look at me,” I beg.
Slowly, he raises his eyes to meet mine, his stare deep and prolonged. I’ve stared into his brown eyes almost every single day, seeking comfort in such a simple moment. Yet, here we are, saying goodbye so I can move on to the scariest time of my life.
“This is just this chapter. Soon, it will pass, and there’s a new chapter.”
A smile lingers on his lips. “Your romance books again. Did you bring one to read on the plane?”
“Sure did. It’s a monster romance, and the chick is getting banged by like a whole gang of them.”
His soft laugh lights up his face. “How is that romance?”
“I’m not sure yet.” I grin, then reach out for his hand. “I guess one of them is her soulmate.”
Beau glances down to look at my hand, unknowingly letting out a soft breath. “Another chapter, huh?”
I take a step forward and wrap my arms around him. Everything about him feels so safe, but I need to get used to doing things without him. We have a friendship built on trust, but at the end of the day, it ends with a friendship, and that’s it. At least, it’s what I keep telling myself to ignore the longing feeling I have for him.
“Plenty more chapters,” I whisper in his ear.
He moves his face to plant a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Make sure this baby stays put until I come out, okay?”
“I’ll make sure there’s no popping.”
Beau laughs, with his handsome grin spreading across his entire face. “Now get on that plane and message me the minute you land, promise?”
I run the back of my hand against his cheek. “I promise, bestie.”
TWELVE
ALEXA
Mom went to the extreme to ensure my room was set up comfortably for my stay with them. I was just happy to be back in my old room, which is three times the size of my dorm room. No more loud cheering or drunken laughter walking past my room. Well, not unless Mom and Dad have a wild night out.
The room beside mine happens to be Addy’s. According to Mom, Addy had no issue with transforming the room into a nursery. Luckily, Ava is down the hall because she is the only one of us who has begged my parents to keep her room as is. Considering she has a beautiful house to live in, I’m not sure why she’s so attached to her room here.
There’s something to be said about being back home. It’s like I never left since nothing at all has changed. For once in my life, I welcome the familiarity and try my best to be present in the moment, given these are my last moments alone for the rest of my life.
Oh God, I’m going to have a kid with me every single day.
Okay, stop freaking out.
Dad spends his days at his office, coming home for dinner if he isn’t called out of town. Mom still works like crazy and willtake care of the grandkids when she isn’t working. The kids are next-level intense when they are all together. Always wanting my attention and asking a thousand questions about the baby. When Ava’s daughter, Emmy, throws the ‘Where do babies come from?’ question at me, I’m outta there so fast, leaving Mom to answer.
I enjoy lazing around by the pool to the warm summer Californian air. The home-cooked meals are always a treat, and so is the grand home to walk around. The company of Mom and Dad is a welcoming change from campus life.
“Sweetheart, are you all set for your scan tomorrow? Austin recommended the best obstetrician here in Los Angeles.”
“All set. It’s just measurements and heartbeat, right?”
Dad takes a bite of his food, then wipes his mouth. “For now, but in the next few weeks, they may start to check dilation.”
“Dilation? What does that mean?”
