Page 46 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor

“What’s going on with you and Shep? These Atwood boys don’t exactly share their true feelings with each other all that often,” she says.

“Oh, we’re just friends I guess. I mean he says he’ll be there for the baby.”

Anya grabs my hand and smiles. “Shepherd is a hard nut to crack, but it’s even obvious to me that he’s happier when he’s with you, or talking about you. Not just the baby. I mean don’t get me wrong, he’s excited, thrilled, enamored with the idea of being a father, but I don’t think that’s the only reason he says he’ll be there for the baby. I think it’s you, Felicity.”

I can feel tears stinging my eyes and I blink them away quickly. Stupid hormones. “He’s made it pretty clear it’s not what he wants,” I say with a nonchalant shrug of my shoulders.

“What do you want?” Hartford asks.

“I want love, passion, excitement. I want what you guys have.”

It’s the first time I’ve said anything like that out loud and I’m surprised I revealed it to his family. I just feel like they truly care and it makes talking to them easy.

“Have you told him you want those things?” Anya asks.

“Maybe the next time you guys have sex you should mention it,” Emmie says, absentmindedly, biting into a chocolate Anya made.

“Emmie,” I shout.

“What?” Anya and Hartford yell in unison, their eyes widening.

“You and Shepherd are having sex?” Anya nearly shouts in my ear.

Emmie is looking at me with wide eyes, mouthing ‘sorry’ like that helps. I’m so embarrassed, I don’t even know what to say.

I clear my throat and keep my focus on the table in front of me. “It’s just him helping with all the hormones taking over my body. It’s nothing really. Just one person helping another,” I whisper.

I rest my hand on my bump and sigh.

“Have you guys talked about a relationship?” Anya asks.

“He’s made it clear where he stands.” I’m suddenly exhausted and ready to get out of here. “Today has been amazing, I can’t thank you all enough, but I’m exhausted.”

No one pushes me to say more. They understand my escape is needed and after a lot of hugs and exchanging numbers, I leave.

Once I’m home, I take a quick shower and lie down on the couch. Just as sleep is about to pull me under I jump up and hold my stomach.

“Ouch,” I cry out as a fierce stab of pain causes me to keel over.

Something is wrong.

Chapter 22

Shepherd

“We’ve got your baby shower all planned out,” Anya says as I make my way back to the brewery.

“Oh yeah?” I ask, rubbing the back of my neck. Part of me wanted to be here when Felicity and the girls discussed the baby shower, but I honestly think the only reason I really wanted to be present was because of Felicity.

I miss her when she’s not around. Does that make me a pussy?

I don’t even care at this point. I really fucking miss her, and I know she wants no part of a relationship with me, but I can’t help how I feel about her.

Every day the feeling intensifies. And the more sex we have, the more I find myself caring about her. About the baby she’s carrying.

About everything.

“Am I allowed to be there?” I ask, not really sure about the etiquette of baby showers.

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