Page 88 of Refuel

“We can’t answer that for you, Arianna. Besides, your father and I got married when we were young, and I never once regretted my choices. Kash loves you and despite his crazy ex and his teammate, you two belong together,” Mom said.

“She’s right. Since we’ve been talking, Kash hasn’t stopped looking over here at you, girl,” Essence commented.

“Rylee, did you help pick the ring?” I asked, twisting the ring back and forth on my finger.

“He designed the ring. I just picked it up and set up the decorations,” Rylee replied.

I ran a hand across my belly; this baby was sitting on my bladder.

“What are your plans after having the baby?” Mom inquired.

Thinking about my career and being in a high-profile relationship, I wasn’t sure how to approach the conversation with Kamden about returning to racing again. I knew our parents and Cicely would help watch the baby when it was born. Plus, after talking with a therapist, the nightmares had slowly faded away.

“I want to start driving again.”

Cicely brought Madison over from the pool, and she reached out to me, wanting to sit in my lap.

“Hey, Maddie poo,” I said, kissing her cheek.

She giggled, hiding her face in my chest.

“How does Kash feel about you racing again?” Essence queried.

“He was pissed at first, but we talked about everything, and he supports me.”

“I don’t blame him. You’re the most important person to him. Communication is important, Arianna,” Cicely stated, picking up her cup and taking a sip of lemonade. Glancing over at the guys standing around talking, I held a hand over my eyes to block out the sun. Kash caught me staring, and he winked back at me. A flutter in my heart caused me to blush at the simple things he did to make me realize he was it for me. To think if I wouldn’t have taken that trip to Vegas and been impulsive, then things could have turned out differently for me.

“Have you talked with Sarai?” Rylee interrupted the silence.

“No. Lately, she’s been working a lot for CC.”

“I think she’s going through another breakup. She might need us to check in on her tomorrow,” Rylee said, passing a piece of cupcake to Maddie.

If I had a daughter, I hope she turned out like my niece. She was so smart even at four. Between her and my nephew, I couldn’t believe how they reminded me of Malik and myself. I knew Kamden probably thought I would say no when he proposed, but after the fight with my brother in the hospital, I was disappointed in them for stepping so out of character. I didn’t blame Kash for the actions of his old teammate or Josie anymore. The therapist helped me to see that individual responsibility came into question, and he’d made it clear many times they weren’t a couple. Now, I was about to be a wife of Kamden Kash Coleman and the mother of his child.

“We should do a girl’s night in or something,” I answered, feeling a presence behind me. I looked up and saw Kash taking a seat next to me before he grabbed Maddie out of my arms. She was more in love with Kash than her own dad.

“Hey, Maddie Poo,” Kash said, tickling her stomach. Maddie burst into laughter, and she tried to tickle him back.

“Kash, are you ready to handle a daughter like Arianna?” Essence teased.

“The question is if she can handle me as her father. She’s not allowed to date until she’s forty,” Kash said, and we all laughed at his statement.

“How can you say she’s not allowed to date until then when we hooked up when we were both in our twenties?” I fussed, crossing my arms over my chest.

Cicely and my mom stood, ready to leave the table; they knew how I could get with my attitude.

“Babe, I’m kidding. She can date at thirty,” Kamden replied as he entwined our hands.

“So, that means I shouldn’t have sex anymore until I’m thirty, right?” I hinted, and the reaction on his face made me chuckle.

“Now she got your attention,” Essence told him.

“Maddie Poo, you see how your auntie hurt my feelings,” Kamden said, getting my niece on his side.

“She can’t save you now, baby,” I said, running a hand up his arm.

Rylee and Essence laughed, and we continued talking and joking together as Maddie started getting hungry by calling out for food. My brother came over and picked her up. The afternoon was fun with friends and family coming in and out, congratulating us on our engagement and new house.

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