Page 81 of The Wrong Side Of Us

We ate lunch together, and though it wasn’t awkward, I decided to leave to give them a chance to talk. I hoped she did tell him. Getting what she felt off her chest would be good for her. She wasn’t a bad woman; I believed that now.

However, as nighttime came, I had something else on my mind. Derek still hadn’t replied. Something was wrong.

He should have answered me by then.

I waited another day, but Derek’s answer never came.

Chapter 31

Nathan

I watched as Evie slept, her expression relaxed and at peace. She was on her side because she was afraid to squish the baby even though her belly was still relatively small.

She wrapped the sheets around her naked body tightly, and she’d ventured all the way to the other side of the bed. Knowing her, she’d woken up in the middle of the night and snuck off for some ice cream.

My lips tilted up to a small smile as I took in the image of her; her long dark hair cascaded on the pillow like a halo, and her slightly flushed cheeks made her look like an angel. Grateful she’d said yes, and feeling lucky to share my life with her, I leaned down, kissing her cheek gently.

The contact made her eyes flutter open, and she smiled sleepily, struggling to keep her eyes open.

“Good morning, pretty girl,” I murmured. Something about that specific day had me feeling some type of way. She was beautiful and strong; she’d been through hell, and though she struggled to leave it behind, little by little she was doing it. We were doing it.

Evie cuddled up next to me, and I held her tight, placing a kiss at the top of her head. As always, her ear rested over my heart. It had a soothing effect on her.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, hoping she’d tell me she felt just fine.

“Hungry,” she mumbled. “And tired and sleepy and hot. I feel hot.”

“You are hot.” Evie nudged me, rolling her eyes. I shrugged; it was a fact. My beautiful fiancé was hot; I couldn’t deny it.

“I wonder if you’re going to say that when I’m 300 pounds with varicose veins and stretch marks and sagging boobs.”

I laughed. “Still hot, baby.”

“Whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You have to say that.”

“Mm, no I don’t. But it’s you, so it doesn’t matter what you look like. You’ll always be hot to me.”

She grinned, standing up slowly, and I couldn’t help but let my eyes roam down her body. She was stunning. Yes, her curves were all there, if not more so, but seeing her pregnant was…

There were no words to describe it.

“Join me in the shower.” She raised her eyebrow, biting her lip. Most times she was shy. Today, however, it seemed like the little minx had other thoughts.

Hell yes.

She giggled, rushing into the shower, and I followed behind her.

This was the perfect way to start the morning.

***

Evie and I walked hand in hand to the local donut shop. It was something we hadn’t done in a long time: take the time to walk together through the city. We both enjoyed it very much, and thankfully where we lived, it was easy to do.

She wore a yellow sundress, and her hair was down in waves. She didn’t wear makeup other than mascara and lip gloss, and still, she took my breath away every time.

I was glad Jessica and I agreed for me to go in to the gallery around noon and take care of it until closing, while she took care of the morning clients. It worked out for both of us, and it also made it easier for me to be with Evie at her appointments.

“What will you have today?” the older woman behind the counter asked us. She smiled, glancing to our interlocked hands and then to Evie’s bump.

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