Page 136 of Clinch'd

What the hell? Maybe she’s not here for me after all. Whatever, I’m not giving up on the one thing I can’t live without.

I open my mouth, to say I don’t know what when she presses her palm against my heart, warming me through and says, “I love you too. It’s insane and you make me insane. But I do, I love you and—“

Thank fuck. A rush of need races through me and I press my lips to hers once more, soaking in her essence while I finally fucking relax. I found my home.

She tastes like everything I remember and I’m contemplating where we can go to be alone so I can feel her silky warmth once more when she pulls away and says, “I, um have something to tell you.”

“We can talk about it later, baby,” I say but she shakes her head.

“No. Now.”

A chuckle escapes me because I missed her sassy ass and before I know it, she’s giggling. The sound fills my chest with air, and I breathe deep of her joy wishing I could bottle it up and keep it forever.

Instead, I swing her around, smiling wide when she laughs. When she slaps my chest, I set her on her feet, grabbing her arms when she wobbles in her sexy heels.

“Min—“ I start before her mouth screws up and she grabs her stomach.

“Oh,” she says, glancing around wildly.

“Are you…” I touch her arm but stagger back when she spins away and rushes to the garbage can in the corner before proceeding to puke her guts up.

What the…? A kernel of fear trickles through me and I touch her back, saying, “Min? Are you okay?”

When she stiffens, I move to back up, my stomach dropping. Before I get far though, she exhales and says, “I’m pregnant.”

My heart thumps painfully under my rib cage and I prepare myself to fight for this if I have to, until her words sink in.

“I…wait, what?”

Her previously pale face suffuses with color, and I stagger back. For a moment, I can’t truly comprehend what she’s saying before it hits me.

I’m going to be a father. We’re…

“Wait, it’s mine, right?” I blurt and her mouth screws into a frown.

“Yes, you idiot.”

“Fuck me,” I breathe, grabbing her up but this time, I’m careful not to jostle her as I bury my head in her neck.

I don’t know where the fools who were sitting with Minnie went but the emotion pressing at my throat is meant for the two of us and no one fucking else.

Chapter 54

Four Months Later

Minnie

“You’ve gotta push, baby,” Cooper says, and I eye him with a scowl.

“Fuck off,” I growl but he just smiles and squeezes my hand.

He wouldn’t be quite so happy if I punched him in the fucking face. Dick.

Of course, he’s a dude. He’d be crying like a little bitch if he were in my position.

Another contraction racks my body and I shiver, clutching his hand. This is it. We’re finally going to meet our little girl. I can’t wait although I wouldn’t mind skipping this part.

Fuck me. Is it supposed to feel like my body is ripping in two?

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