Page 26 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor

“So,” I say, trying to start off the conversation, but not really sure where to begin.

“So,” Felicity says back. “I think we need a few ground rules. First, have you told anyone?”

“Was I not supposed to?”

Her brown eyes widen. “Oh, who have you told?”

“Just my brothers,” I say, like it’s no big deal. “Oh, and my sister. Also, Hartford, Paxton’s fiancée knows.”

“Oh my god,” she whispers. “Now I’m sure everyone knows.” She places her hands over her eyes.

I grab one of her hands, bringing it down to the table. “People are going to find out sooner or later.”

“I’d rather it be the latter. I haven’t even told my best friend yet. I’ll need to tell my boss.”

At the mention of her boss, I remember the Christmas party and how he seemed a little off. A new sense of protectiveness washes over me.

“Felicity, we’re having a baby together. People are going to find out.” I’m still holding her hand and I really don’t want to let go, but February walks over with a muffin Felicity ordered. After February drops it off, I want to reach my hand across the table to take Felicity’s in mine, but now she’s eating the muffin.

Which I’m happy about because the baby needs nourishment.

“I know,” she whispers between bites of her muffin.

“I think you should move in with me. That way I can take care of you, and when the baby comes…” my words fall away when I catch her reaction.

It’s part shocked and something else I can’t quite identify.

“I’m not moving in with you. Shep, let’s get one thing straight. You and I are not a couple. Nor will we ever be a couple. We’ll raise the baby together, but that’s it.”

Something funny happens to my chest when she says these words, and I don’t know how to react. So, I remain silent, thinking of what I can say.

She beats me to it, by saying, “Is that where you went after the Christmas party? To Florida?”

I nod. “My cousins needed help. I was there for a few months. What about you? When did Karl and you…” I let my implication ring clear, and Felicity nearly chokes on her muffin.

“We’re not anything. Like I said, I plan on raising this baby by myself.”

“Not by yourself. I’ll be there every step of the way.”

She eats the rest of her muffin in silence, and after I drop her off at her house, I head to the store. I need a few supplies if I’m going to be helping Felicity raise this baby.

When I return home, I spot the package on my front doorstep. I head inside, opening the package, looking at the book The Expectant Father.

It’s going to be a long night of reading.

Chapter 15

Felicity

I open my eyes to the sunlight pouring into my room. It brings a smile to my face as I stretch. When I was young I hated getting up early, but now I love waking up and enjoying the sunshine, birds chirping, and coffee on my porch. Granted, I’ve had to start drinking decaf, but it’s not terrible.

As I sit up to reach for my phone, I hear a noise downstairs. My brow dips as I sit still and listen closely, leaning my body closer toward the end of the bed, like that will help. It’s moments like this that I hate living alone. There could be a serial killer down there waiting for me. Or it could be a wild animal that found its way in and is rummaging through my cabinets. How the hell am I supposed to protect myself and my baby?

I hear something slam and I officially jump out of my bed, scared to death. I look around for something to protect myself with and the only thing I can find is a high heel. I grab it and figure at the very least I can throw it and get out of the house.

Slowly, I open my bedroom door and poke my head out, looking around. I don’t see anything, so I step out quietly. I hold the high heel above my head as I carefully make my way down the stairs, looking around as I take each step. When I reach the bottom, I hear whatever it is in the kitchen and cross the living room staying close to the wall.

I peek my head around and scream as I step out holding my weapon of choice high in the air.

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