AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Though she was wrapped up in one of my old black hoodies and a pair of baggy jeans, she looked too cute to ignore. Smooth skin, dimpled cheeks, and glittering sandstone gems for eyes—she was glowing as she leaned into me and contentedly munched on her food.
Kylie grabbed me a ham sandwich and then grabbed one for herself. “So, how long are you staying with my brother?”
“Probably the duration of the pregnancy,” I replied.
Kylie glared at me. “I was talking to her.”
I pinched my lips together as Anita chuckled. She set her sandwich aside and accepted a bottle of water from Kylie as she said, “He’s right. I’ll probably stick around through the delivery.”
“What about your apartment? Or did you have a house?”
Anita shook her head. “I still have the apartment. I haven’t moved everything out, but I’m thinking about going back for some more things.”
“Do you know if you want to go to a hospital or not for your delivery?”
“The contract we signed states that I have to go to Beaufort Baptist. It’s all part of the legal stuff.”
Kylie nodded thoughtfully. “Now that you’re mates, do you think you would stay with us?”
“I didn’t realize that was an option.”
I gaped at her. “Of course it’s an option, Ani. Why wouldn’t that be an option?”
“Well, I guess I just…” Anita trailed off, zoning out into the ocean. She seemed to disappear for a second until she snapped back to reality and turned to me. “We signed a contract that said I have to hand you a baby in nine months or less.”
Fred and Kylie exchanged nervous looks. Fuck me, I was feeling it too. This entire time, I’d been skirting around that issue, thinking about the contract while tryingnotto think about the contract. But Anita was right. It was something we had to face one way or another.
Together.
I tucked a lock of onyx hair behind her ear. “We can talk about that tonight. I think it’s a good idea to talk to Patricia too.”
“Will she be mad?”
“She’s aware of Hayden pack customs,” I explained. “And she was also suspicious the other day during the blood draw.”
Anita blushed. “What gave us away?”
“Probably all the hand holding, the eye contact, the touching.”
“I hope she’s not mad. Will she be upset with us?”
I pondered the question for a moment, thinking about how I’d wondered the same thing. Patricia hadn’t appearedangry, but there were probably legal lines we were crossing that could get her into trouble. Maybe there was a way to call off the surrogacy without admitting to any feelings.
As long as it would keep Anita safe, I wanted to do it.
Kylie touched Anita’s knee. “I’m sure it’s not the first time it’s happened, and it won’t be the last.”
“I still feel bad,” Anita admitted shyly. “But thanks, Kylie.”
“For what?”
Anita grinned. “Being so welcoming.”
Kylie rubbed Anita’s knee as the salty wind blew her hair into her face. She laughed while turning to face the breeze, inviting all of us to do the same. That nervous energy faded as I caught a glimpse of Fred smiling at my sister.
Ah, so hedidsmile when nobody was looking. Without saying a word, I enjoyed the moment, taking a mental picture to keep for later. Rare as it was for Fred to smile, I didn’t want to point it out or make him feel awkward about it. Because then he’d never do it around us again.
Anita leaned back into me. “This is nice. I’m glad I’m not on house arrest anymore.”
