Page 100 of When You Left Me Speechless

“I’m a little fun,” I argue. I dip her and she lets out a little shriek.

“You sure Laceywas okay with you coming over to my place tonight?” I ask, opening the door to my apartment. I hang my keys on the hook next to the painting we made together.

“She was fine. Just a little shaken up, but seemed to be over it by the end of the night. Thanks again for asking him to leave.”

“Of course. Are you ever going to tell me why I had to kick him out?”

She walks over and sits on my sofa and starts removing her shoes. “It’s such a long story, but the abbreviated version is that we were all best friends as kids, Lacey and Jace dated for a bit, and then it all went up in flames.”

I take a seat next to her and she moves to straddle my lap. “It ended that badly?”

“Yep, it was awful.”

“Can I ask for the details?”

“You can, but can we talk about it tomorrow? I’m honestlystill wrapping my head around Jacks and Jace being the same person. I would love if tonight could just be about me and the man that I love.”

“Oh, yeah? And who do you love?”

“You.” She places her lips to mine and in an instant I move her so that she is laying on her back and I’m above her. She lets out a squeal.

“I love you, too, chatterbox. And I’m never letting you go.” My lips find hers and we melt into one another.

EPILOGUE - FIVE YEARS LATER

POPPY

“You called to let them know we were coming to look at it?” I look over at Logan. He has one hand on the steering wheel and the other is resting on my thigh.

“Of course,” he says, nodding and keeping his eyes on the road. “The salesman I talked to said he would hold it for us.”

“I’m nervous about it being used. You sure it’s in good condition?”

“Yes, chatterbox. I promise. It only has seven thousand miles on it. It’s practically brand new.”

“And it has the fancy cameras?”

“Yes, it does.” His mouth tips into a small grin. “You know I would never put our family in something unsafe.”

“I know. What about the built-in vacuum?”

“It has every bell and whistle you could want and then some. Only the best for my girls.”

I smile and rub my hand over my very round belly. “I can’t believe you convinced me to buy a minivan.” I shake my head and I can’t help but smile. “I’m going to be such a soccer mom.”

Logan’s face breaks out into a wider grin and he takes myhand in his. “The sexiest soccer mom anyone has ever seen. Plus, there is no way we would all fit in this tiny Civic.”

“I know, but I’m sure going to miss it. This was the first car I bought myself when I started at Dogwood Manor. It’s been a good car.”

Logan slows the car to a stop at a red light. Taylor Swift’s “Never Grow Up” comes on over the speakers. I turn it up and rub my belly, singing along to the music. After a year of trying, the pregnancy test finally read positive. I smile to myself thinking about the day I told him we were pregnant. The look on his face was pure joy and the only day I have ever seen him happier was the day we said our vows.

“One of them is awake,” I giggle, feeling the little foot kick against my hand. Logan reaches over and I carefully place his hand just above my belly button, so he can feel the little flutters.

“I still can’t believe it’s twin girls,” he chuckles. “I am going to be outnumbered.”

“So outnumbered, but it’s going to be fun,” I say. His eyes find mine and he looks at me like he has every day for the last five years: like I’m his entire world. He leans over and kisses me on the forehead.

“I know I should be nervous about two babies, but I’m really excited,” he says.

---