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“Nope.”
Turning my head toward Benita, I ask, “What? Do you not eat burgers down here or something?”
“No, you’re just eating like you haven’t eaten in a week,” she teases. “It’s cute. You’re pregnant.”
“I’m just worried I didn’t bring you enough,” Alex jokes, and I scowl at him.
“You both suck. Picking on a pregnant woman. Shame on you.”
They laugh, and I finish my burger in two more bites.
“My sister wants me to FaceTime her, so I can show her the hall and meet you.”
“Now?” My eyes widen. I’m hot and sweaty.
“Yeah, that okay?”
I wipe my mouth and feel around my head for how messy my hair is right now. “Sure, if she doesn’t mind that I look like a hot mess right now.”
“She’s almost seven months pregnant with triplets; I can guarantee you she feels more of a hot mess than you do,” Benita says.
“Okay, well that makes me feel better.”
I know I’m not meeting Courtney face to face, but I’m nervous. I want Alex’s family to like me, and since he only has one sister, I’d really love if we could have some kind of relationship, too. Especially since our kids will be cousins.
“Hey!” she shouts, waving. Alex has his phone aimed at both of us when he makes the call.
“Hi,” we both say in unison.
“This is River.” Alex points the phone directly at me. “And this is my annoying little sister, Courtney.”
“Hey!” she scowls. “I don’t know how you put up with my brother, but bless your soul for doin’ so.”
I laugh, already loving her personality. “Yes, please pray for me.”
“I got your back.” She winks.
“So how are you feeling?”
“Um, pretty much like I’m carrying triplets.” She half-laughs, half-sobs.
“I can only imagine. Geez, makes me feel bad for complaining about the heartburn.”
“Yeah, let’s talk when you can’t see your feet or vagina anymore.”
I nearly choke and die laughing, especially when Alex’s face turns red and Benita chuckles.
“I like her,” I tell Alex.
“Yeah, I had a feeling you two would hit it off.”
“You break her heart, Alex Bishop, I’m taking her side,” Courtney warns.
He rolls his eyes, adjusting the baseball cap on his head. God, I love when he wears that hat. It’s the one he wore in Key West, too. It’s dark gray and worn to shit, but there’s just something about how it looks on him that makes me want to jump his bones.
Oh God. I need to get those images out of my head. We’re not having sex, at least not for a long time, even if my hormones are going wild for him.
“It was great to finally meet you, River. Tell Alex to give you my number so we can text, okay?”
“Definitely! It’d be nice to chat with a girl Bishop for once.” I grin. “Bummer you can’t be here.”
“I tried to talk Drew into flying there first class, but it was a hard no.” She pretends to pout.
“Well, as a nurse, I’d have to agree with your husband on that one.” I smile.
“I know.” She sighs. “All right, now give me the grand tour of Mama’s party,” she tells Alex.
He takes his phone and walks around the hall, showing her the decorations, the buffet table, the balloon drop, and the centerpieces. I hear her aahing and oohing, and it makes me feel good about helping Benita get things done today. I’m slowly getting closer to his family, which makes me feel better about uprooting my life and moving down here.
“Well, the boys are getting into everything, so we better get going,” Benita says. I stand up, and she wraps her arms around me—always the hugging down here. “Thanks again for your help.”
“No problem, but it doesn’t feel like I helped that much.”
“You did great. My mama ran out to pick up more food from the grocery store. If she asks, we went to get the boys ready for bed.”
“Sounds good.”
“We’re heading out too,” Alex interrupts. “Haven’t seen my girl all day.”
My heart beats a little harder.
We exchange goodbyes, and when Alex and I walk out to his truck, he grabs my hand and leads me to the passenger side.
“I was thinking we could take a little detour before going home. Whaddya think?”
“I think I’m okay with that.” I grin as we get in and buckle.
He drives us down a country road that takes us out of town. I love watching out the window because everything is so open, and the land goes on for miles. It’s easy to see why Alex and his brothers love it out here so much. A rush of emotions overcomes me as I think about raising our baby in the same small town community where Alex was raised. The baby will be cared for and watched over by so many who love him or her. A warm feeling rushes through me.
