Page 305 of Vegas Heat

I nod. “And also…I’m pregnant.”

His jaw drops, and a little squeak comes out of the back of his throat. “You’re pregnant?”

I smile and set a hand over the baby. “I’m fourteen weeks along, and I’m guessing I’ll really only be able to work up until mid-August. So my assistant will need to cover for me while I’m on maternity leave. Know anyone who might be interested in a career option with independence, creativity, and travel?” I repeat the words he said to me when we first met—when he told me how he doesn’t really even like baseball and wouldn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps.

I guess things change as secrets are revealed. We come to terms with what we really want out of life, and right now…I feel like I have everything I could ever hope for.

And the way Justin is smiling at me tells me he feels the same way about his own lot right now, too.

I sit behind my desk, and he sits across from me.

“How are you going to decorate this office?” he asks, glancing around at the plain white walls.

“You know those life size wall decals? I’m thinking of getting one of Cooper to put right over there,” I say nodding toward the wall.

“Oh, that’s perfect. Maybe with no shirt?”

“Or pants.” I lift a shoulder as I picture it.

Whew. Is it getting hot in here?

“I feel like I may be spending a lot of time in this office…” Justin winks at me, and we both laugh.

“I haven’t even had time to think about decorating this place yet,” I admit. “This is all so new. This morning I woke up in lonely darkness with a broken heart as I thought today would be my last day. And now…”

“Everything’s coming up roses?” he guesses.

“Sunshine and roses,” I agree.

CHAPTER 23: COOPER

As I recall, the last day before the season begins is always chaotic. It’s packed full of too many things to do and not enough time to do it all. But the last time I had one of these days was when I was with Stacy, and she wanted me to prepare the house like I was leaving for the next year.

It was a lot to handle, and she wanted all my attention on top of it.

It felt like a relief when I had my first away series and could leave the house. That should’ve been a sign, but it was too easy and too comfortable to leave things as they were.

Things are different now.

I want to soak in every second I can with Gabby even though I know we’ll still be around each other after the season officially begins.

But first, I have to share the news with my family.

I’m excited to tell them, but I want her here for it. She’s not coming until a little before five, and I don’t blame her for staying late at the office considering she was just hired today.

She’s dedicated, and she’s a hard worker, and those are among the many traits I love about her.

I’m bursting with happiness when I get home, ready to spill the news even though I promised myself I’d wait, but it’s fairly anticlimactic as the Lincoln SUV isn’t in the driveaway.

The house is empty, so my family must’ve gone off somewhere while they’re here in town on vacation. I guess it was silly of me to expect them to be waiting around for me when they had no idea when I’d be back.

I text my mom.

Me:I’m home and I invited some friends for dinner. Can you all be back around five?

Her answer comes a few minutes later.

Mom:We’re down on Fremont Street. We’ll be back by five and we’ll all be hungry.

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