Page 2 of Curvy Girl and the Ex-Military Firefighter

"Au, stop." I press my fingers to my temples. "We've never even talked about kids. Hell, we haven't even defined our relationship. And you know how much he loves being a firefighter. It's not just his job. It's who he is."

"Being a firefighter doesn't mean he can't be a father," she argues, but I can hear the uncertainty creeping into her voice.

"You should see him after a tough call, Au. The way his eyes light up when he talks about saving people. I can't ask him to give that up."

"Who says he has to?"

I glance at the clock – 8:43 AM.

"He'll be here in less than an hour, and I have to somehow get through this lunch with my family while carrying this secret. Unless..." I bite my lip. "Unless I tell him before we go."

"Emma Rose, do not chicken out on this lunch. Your aunt Linda will never let you hear the end of it." Autumn pauses. "Look, maybe wait until after. See how he is with your family. He might surprise you."

My hand drifts to my still-flat stomach. "Or he might run for the hills."

"That man looks at you like you hung the moon. Trust me, running is the last thing on his mind."

I wish I had her confidence. But as I finish my makeup, trying to hide the evidence of my morning sickness, all I can think about is how everything could change in a few hours.

The pregnancy test catches my eye again, and I quickly stuff it in my purse. Evidence. Proof. A tiny plastic stick that's about to alter the course of my entire life.

The minutes tick by as I finish getting ready, wiping tears from my cheeks more times than I care to count. Damn hormones. Or maybe it's just fear. Who can tell anymore?

My phone buzzes on the vanity.

"Outside your door, beautiful. Ready to rock this fake boyfriend thing?"

My stomach coils. I stare at my reflection one last time, willing my hands to stop shaking. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Just like they teach in those yoga classes I never actually attend.

The walk to my front door feels like a death march. When I pull it open, my heart nearly stops.

Max, all six-foot-two of him, looks like he just stepped out of a magazine in a perfectly tailored dark blue suit. His green eyes sparkle with that familiar mischief as he gives me a slow once-over.

"How do I look?" He does a little spin, and I have to grip the doorframe to stay upright.

I force my lips into what I hope passes for a smile. "You didn't have to get this dressed up. A nice shirt would've been fine."

"And miss the chance to show your family that you're dating the hottest firefighter in the city?" He adjusts his tie with exaggerated pride. "Not happening."

I try to roll my eyes, but even that simple gesture feels heavy.

"You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculously handsome," he corrects, stepping closer. His hands find my hips, and the familiar touch sends electricity through my body. "You know, if the suit's too formal, you could always help me take it off."

His voice drops low, and for a second, I'm tempted. So tempted. The words are right there on my tongue. I'm pregnant. We're pregnant.

But instead, I hear myself say, "As tempting as that is, we don't have time. I need breakfast at Sara's, and then we've got a ninety-minute drive ahead of us."

My stomach growls as if on cue. Whether from hunger or morning sickness, I'm not sure I want to know.

"Sara's Eats it is." He drops a quick kiss on my forehead. "Can't have my girl starving on my watch."

My girl. The words make my heart ache. How much longer will I be his girl once he knows?

Chapter 2 - Max

Something's off with Emma.

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