Page 95 of While We Waited

“As am I,” Flynn adds.

Weston wags a finger at him. “No, you’re not. She crowned me her honorary big brother when she was ten and I saved her stuffed bunny from the toilet.”

“Not to get in between you two, but can’t Nova have more than one honorary big brother?” Lucas asks.

I’m done with this shit. I don’t have time to waste listening to Flynn and Weston argue about who Nova’s honorary big brother is.

“I’m out of here.”

“What’s your hurry?” Weston asks.

“I need to get home to Nova.”

“I heard she’s living with you and not moving out when the baby is born,” Lucas says.

I cross my arms over my chest. I hate riddles. “If you want to know something, ask me.”

“Are you going to kick her out after the baby’s born?” Weston asks.

I glare at him. “I would never kick Nova out of her own home.”

“Her own home?” He smirks. “She is living with you.”

She is. We’re at the chalet for now. But she still has her house. I need to speak to her about it. I know she loves the chalet but does she prefer to live at her house? It’s the house she grew up in with her parents. She’s emotionally attached to it.

But I want to stay in the chalet. It’s close to my work. I can be home within minutes to handle any issues that arise with the baby. And the resort has childcare. Plus, we have enough room for a nanny should Nova want one. If she wants to stay home with the baby, that’s fine, too.

We still have a lot to figure out. And we will figure it out. Nova loves me. She’s in this for the long haul. As am I.

“I don’t give a shit where they live,” Flynn says. “I want to know if he’s going to treat Nova right.”

I growl at him. “I will always treat Nova right. She will want for nothing.”

Flynn grins. “He has my stamp of approval. He obviously loves Nova.”

My brow wrinkles. I obviously love Nova? I admit I’m falling in love with my sunshine. How can I not? She makes everything light and bright.

But love her? I’m not there yet. Love needs years to build.

Weston sighs. “He’s a goner for her. I’m going to be the only single man on the island.”

Lucas slaps me on the shoulder. “There’s no sense fighting it. The women of Smuggler’s Hideaway are irresistible.”

I don’t care about the women of Smuggler’s Hideaway. I only care about one woman. Nova.

I don’t see any other women. I—

Shit. I do love Nova.

I don’t know why I’ve been fighting it. Love doesn’t work with schedules. Love happens. Whether you want it to or not. Whether you’re a has-been or not. Whether you ruin good things or not.

Nova is my one good thing I’m not going to ruin. I’m keeping her. And our baby. Forever.

Chapter 31

Treasure hunt – an excuse to drink moonshine and cause havoc

Nova

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