Page 147 of The Thought of You

And tonight, we’re hosting our first dinner party. When I’d asked her why she wanted to do this, she answered, “Just because.”

I couldn’t think of a better reason.

Plus, with some of our friends traveling for Thanksgiving next week, it’ll be nice to get together to see everyone in one place before they disperse for holiday chaos.

I wipe my chin with the back of my hand, and she thrusts a paper towel at me. “You feeling okay tonight? You’ve been in the bathroom for a while.”

“I’m fine. Really fine, actually.” The blush in her cheeks matches the red tips of her ears as she steps into my embrace and rests her temple on my chest.

“What’s going on?” I angle her face up so I’m able to see all of it. She’s hiding something in the oceans of her eyes.

“It’s just that I was… well, I am…”

“What?” I study her expression, and although she’s smiling, I can’t help but be on guard. I hate being out of the loop.

“Owen, I’m late.”

“That’s not true.” I point to the spread of food on the counter, all wrapped and ready to be served. “We’re done in here, with a few minutes to spare. Everyone should be arriving in the next?—”

“Not that kind of late.” She laughs, and tears well in her eyes.

“What?” I freeze.

“I took a test—a few, actually—and… I’m pregnant.”

My lungs shrivel as those two words and all the possibilities suck the oxygen from my body.

“I need to make an appointment with the doctor, of course, but four positive tests don’t lie.” She bites her smiling lip and rubs her hands up and down my back.

“You’re… we’re… going to have a baby,” I whisper like I’m testing the fact on my tongue.

And it’s amazingly awesome in a sense I can’t wrap my fucking head around.

“I’m going to be a dad,” I say, but it’s more of a question, as if I still don’t wholly grasp what she’s saying. Can it be?

Could I be so damn lucky to be having a baby with the girl of my wildest dreams?

“You’re going to be a dad, and I’m going to be a mom.” She laughs into her palms, and tears stream down her cheeks, her mascara staining her complexion.

I tighten my arms around her and spin her around once, twice, and three times, my laughter bursting from me in hysterical fashion.

Her own giggles ring out with an echo, mixing with mine in a manic celebration, until I rest my chin on her forehead.

My heart rate slows as the pieces of my life continue floating right into place.

“This is the best news I’ve ever gotten.” My brain short-circuits and switches on my fight-or-flight reaction. “Wait. How are you feeling? Do you need anything? You shouldn’t be on your feet. You should be sitting with a glass of cold water and snacks. I definitely shouldn’t spin you around like a psycho.”

She squeezes my hands. “We have guests coming any second.”

“Guests?” Oh, right. The dinner party. “We’ll have to cancel. We can’t crowd you and stress you out. You need rest.”

“Owen.” She cups my cheek in her small, delicate hand. “There will be plenty of time to take care of me over the next few months, but right now, we’re going to enjoy a night with our family and friends.”

My breaths are suddenly labored.

“We should probably wait to tell them, if you don’t mind. I’d like to keep this just for us for a little bit longer.”

This eases the abrupt tension pulling at my muscles. “I’d like that. Just our little secret.”

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