Page 71 of Make You Mine

Ashley’s head snaps to mine, a big smile on her face and more happy tears in her eyes. I close my eyes, trying to control my emotions. I know it's not a complete confirmation, but it's damn close.

“For now, I’m estimating your due date to be July 24th.”

“A summer baby,” I whisper.

“Good, just take me to Nori beach and let me lay around, looking like a beached whale until then.”

The image of her growing belly in a bikini sounds incredibly sexy to me, and I plan to make sure she knows it every step of the way.

“Trent, Trent.” I hear from behind me.

I know that voice.

“Hey there, Amelia,” I say as she approaches, and I feel Ashley stiffen beside me. I pull her in reassuringly to my side.

“I thought that was you guys.” She smiles, but barely looks at Ashley.

I rest my hand on Ashley’s tiny baby bump. “Yep, we just got to hear our baby’s heartbeat for the first time.”

Amelia recovers quickly from the shock on her face and replaces it with a smile. “Ah, you’re going to be a dad? Congrats.”

“Yep! Ashley is making me the luckiest man alive.”

“That’s awesome.” She finally looks in Ashley’s direction and gives her a halfhearted smile.

“I’m here with an internship. How’s school going?”

“It’s going good. Taking my time, not rushing to finish.” In another words, I’m already working with my brother every week. I enjoy learning at school too, but I’m in no hurry tograduate. Plus, I just got Ashley all to myself, so most days, I have no desire to leave her side.

“Oh, wow.” She pauses for a second, and then says, “You have changed so much since that first semester.”

Her words piss me off. She was a study partner, but she never really knew me. “Or maybe you didn’t really know me so well.” I shrug, shaking my head. “Everyone is different, but I realized where my priorities lie.” Interlacing my fingers with Ash, we turn toward the exit. “Good luck to you.”

“Good luck with…everything,” Amelia calls out.

“Overachieving witch,” Ashley mutters under her breath.

A chuckle leaves me. “She really is, isn’t she?”

“Hell yes, and she still wants your dick.” Ashley narrows her eyes on the last part.

I roll mine at the thought. “Well, she definitely isn’t getting that.”

She smacks me on the ass. “Oh, I know.”

Laughing, I open the passenger door for her, but Ashley stops before getting into the car. Her beautiful blue eyes find mine. “On a real note, are you sure you are happy with how things are going with your studies?”

I kiss her forehead. “Yes, Doll. Especially with the baby coming, I don’t want to be far from either of you.”

That’s one thing I’ve realized about truly being in love with someone. You genuinely want them to be happy, no matter what that may look like, and I know that’s why she’s questioning me. It’s exactly why I’ll be doing everything I can to help Ashley get back into creating and sewing in whatever capacity makes her thrive.

She smiles softly, biting her lip before I press a kiss there. My attempt to soothe her overthinking. “I know, but I want you to be fulfilled in your own life and career, too.”

“I am, truly. Now that we aren’t caught up in Junior’s shit, I’ve been going to more actual medical calls with Trevor. It’s crazy how much I’ve learned from him out in the field already.”

Ashley must believe me, because she kisses my cheek, then ducks into the car, and I walk around to my side.

As soon as I get in, she says, “Speaking of Trevor, I want the tea on what we saw this morning.”

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