Page 36 of Prairie Nights

Whitney rolled her eyes. “She patted your abs and counted them right there in front of everyone. I had to ask her to stop pawing my boyfriend.”

“She is awesome.” Hayden laughed.

Whitney lifted her head and looked up at him, her eyes full of adoration. “Thank you, Hayden, you’re amazing. I love you.”

He reached for her chin and lifted it, bringing her mouth close to his then brushed her lips softly with his. “I love you too, gorgeous!”

* * *

“Doors open!” Ever called out.

Whitney entered the farmhouse with two grocery bags in hand.

“Hey Mama! I have the stuff you asked for,” Whitney replied, carrying the bags into the kitchen.

“Can you bring me the jalapeno chips and Nutella?” Ever yelled from the living room.

“Sure.” Whitney replied hesitantly, grabbing both and joining her friend curled up on the couch.

Ever was stretched out on the couch, a stack of pillows behind her and a blanket over her legs. She wore an Aerosmith t-shirt that didn’t completely stretch over her burgeoning baby belly and sweatpants, her mahogany hair in a messy bun at the top of her head. She looked swollen and tired, but beautiful just the same.

Whitney handed her the chips and Nutella and took a seat at the other end, watching her friend open the Nutella jar and break open the chips. She dipped a chip in the Nutella and brought it to her mouth, closing her eyes in satisfaction. Whitney sat there, a bemused smile on her face. “Good?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

“So good.” Ever answered, popping another chocolate-covered jalapeno chip in her mouth. “These babies love some weird stuff.”

Whitney laughed and pulled the large blanket over her legs as well, getting cozy on the couch with her friend.

“How was Arizona?” Ever asked between bites. “How are Dan and Betty?”

“Wonderful! They say hello and my mom is insisting on coming out after the babies are born, so she can…” Whitney held up her fingers, making quotations in the air. “Smell their sweet heads.”

“Your mom’s the best!” Ever laughed. “And how did they get along with Hayden?”

“Great! When my mom was not feeling him up or making inappropriate comments about our sex life, my mom was showing him off to her friends or fawning all over him.”

Ever let out a huge guffaw. “Oh, my goodness, I wish I were there to see that! How about your dad?”

“Awesome! He and Hayden golfed, went to see a hockey game. They seemed to get along great.” Whitney shared. “I honestly don’t think it could have gone any better.”

“That is awesome, Whitney. Meeting your parents is a big step in your relationship. Have you discussed the future yet?”

Whitney nodded.

“And?” Ever asked.

“We’re on the same page, marriage, family, the whole thing.”

“Someday you’ll be my sister-in-law!” Ever squealed as she licked Nutella off her fingers.

Whitney smiled at the thought and continued. “I want everything with Hayden, but I need to settle my past first. I heard from my lawyer yesterday and Paul’s trial has been set for mid April.”

“What is the possible outcome?” Ever asked, her brows furrowing.

“Ten years for stalking and five for break and enter. I need a clean slate before I fully commit to Hayden, and I know if it were up to him, we would be engaged and planning a wedding already.”

“I respect that. Close one chapter before opening another.” Ever added.

“Exactly.”

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