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He turned to look at me, a smile pulling at his lips. “Are you really going to turn down a chance to stay at my place, with my staff waiting on you hand and foot?”
“What about my job?” I asked.
“Your new job is making sure those babies, and you, stay as safe and healthy as possible. I’m sure Starbucks will understand the situation you’re in.”
I settled back into the seat, my hand resting on my belly. I didn’t care about the barista job; I knew there would be others. It was just to get me by until I could pay for grad school and finish my degree, so I could finally follow my dreams. Which was why I had approached Gabe about being his surrogate in the first place.
He did have a point about his house. His place was obscenely large, with an entire staff to clean and to cook; I wouldn’t have to lift a finger for the rest of the pregnancy. I could rest. Living with Gabe might be weird due to my long-standing crush on him, but I could put those feelings aside for the safety of the babies. And because, well, after the last few years of working until I collapsed day after day, some rest sounded nice.
There was also the bonus that Ava was staying with him too. Living with my best friend for the next few months would be fun. She was busy with law school, so we didn’t get to see each other as much as I would have liked. Now we’d have more opportunities to spend time together, sharing a roof.
“So… is that a yes?” Gabe asked, a glance in my direction.
“It’s a yes, but I do have to go back to Chicago and let my roommate know and get my stuff from the apartment.”
“Absolutely, and I’m happy to help with all of that.”
“Thanks, Gabe,” I said.
He was focused on driving, but I couldn’t stop myself from staring at him. I’d crushed over this man for as long as I could remember, likely from the first moment I met him when I was six or so. Ava and I had been friends since kindergarten, and the first time I went over to her house and met her older brothers, I was smitten with Gabe. Of course, I was a child back then, and one would think childhood crushes eventually die out but there I was, twenty-four years old admiring every curve of Gabe’s jawline.
He was going to make gorgeous babies. I pictured them with his dark brown hair and chocolate eyes.
Gabe caught me staring, so I quickly turned my head away, looking out the windshield.
“You live in a very nice neighborhood,” I said. I had always loved St. Louis, and Gabe lived near Forest Park—one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It would be an amazing place to grow up, and I expected his kids were going to live a very nice life.
A tinge of sadness seared my heart.
His kids.
Yet they were growing inside of me.
I had known what I was getting myself into when we agreed to the arrangement, but at times, the love I felt for the babies was almost too much to bear, and I worried how I was going to feel when the time came for me to give them up and not have a hand in raising them. I knew I might still see them because I was close to his family, but they wouldn’t call me mom. My heart ached at the thought.
But I knew it was something I’d have to get over.
I signed the agreement and besides, I had to get my life together before I could ever think of raising children of my own. I had time.
Those words didn’t quell the pain in my heart, but I did my best to not think about it as Gabe pulled into his driveway. The large metal gates opened for us, and he drove toward the circular drive in front of his gorgeous estate.
Before I could get out of the car, Gabe rushed over to my side and opened the door, lending me a hand.
“I’m not helpless just yet,” I told him with a laugh, even though the extra weight in my midsection did make some things harder already. I took his hand and thanked him for his help.
Ava must have been watching for us because as soon as I was on my feet, my best friend was running down the stairs, an eager look on her face. She looked a lot like Gabe with the same dark hair and big brown eyes.
“Sooo,…. Did we find out if I’m having a niece or nephew?”
“You know, that’s one thing we didn’t find out today,” I said with a laugh. “But I’m guessing there’s going to be at least one of each, the odds are good for that, right, Gabe?”
“I’d imagine so,” he said.
Ava looked at me, then at her brother, with a confused expression. “What do you mean?”
“Apparently there’s four little De Lucas’ in there, nice and cozy.”
“Four?” Ava’s eyes grew even wider.
