Page 91 of There Are No Words

Bianca:Whose gender I’d still like to know.

Perla:Same.

Maria:Off track, you guys.

Bianca:Sorry.

Maria:It’s more than him being your baby’s father, and you know it.

Allegra:I care about him. A lot.

Maria:Don’t do it, then. Don’t push him away. Don’t close yourself off. It’d be a mistake you might not be able to fix.

Bianca:Maria should take her own advice.

Maria:We’re not talking about me, Bibi.

Perla:Allie, I’m with Maria. You need to do what you feel is right and shut down the nagging voice in your head. That’s my advice.

Bianca:Yeah, if you want Brady, and you don’t want him to just be your baby’s father, then let yourself have him. You deserve to be happy.

Allegra:I love you all so much!

I put the phone in my purse and turned to Brady. “I want to start decorating the nursery. It’s such a big part of this, and I don’t want to wait. Frankly, we shouldn’t have waited this long, right?” Probably not what you thought I was going to say, but baby steps. Pun slightly intended.

Brady chuckled. “I’m so glad to hear that because she’s coming whether or not we’re ready for her.”

I quirked a brow and pointed to his forehead. “What’s that look for? You have a crinkle in the middle of your forehead. You’re holding back. What is it?”

“Nothing.” He wet his lips. “I just can’t wait to get home.”

“But our baby shower,” I pointed out, “it’s this afternoon.”

“This won’t take long.”

* * *

“I wish I had a blindfold,” Brady mumbled under his breath just loud enough for me to hear.

He continued guiding me down the hallway in our apartment, my hand in his. Something to note: I love the way myhand felt in his. He could lead me to the gates of Hell, and I’d follow without question.

“Oooh! Who knew you were kinky?” I teased as Tipsy ran up to us now that we were back home and jumped on my leg.

His thumb caressed the back of my hand, and I practically melted in his arms. Geez, this man had me in a chokehold.You’re standing in your own way.The reminder probably wasn’t necessary, but every now and again, it was like I couldn’t help it.

“Just keep your eyes closed,” he ordered. “I’ll get Tipsy.”

Laughing, I said, “Fine, as long as we’re not late for the shower. I’m beyond ready to tell everyone the sex of the baby.”

“We won’t be late,” he assured me again with Tipsy in his arms. She was reaching over his arms to lick my cheek.

Have I ever told you that I am not a big fan of surprises? I mean, sure, I could keep them, but for me to be the one surprised? Oof, it was torture.

“Okay,” Brady said finally as we came to a stop. “You can open your eyes.”

He stepped aside and put Tipsy back down on the floor since she was no longer at risk of being stepped on by me, and I walked forward, taking in the scene before me.

It was his old room.

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