Page 64 of The Model

Lexie started to grab one of the suitcases until I pulled it out of her hand. She stood with a pinched look on her face and her hands on her hips. “What are you doing? I’m not an invalid.”

“I know you’re not, but my momma raised me right, and she would kick my ass if I let you carry your suitcases in.” Especially if she knew how heavy they were.

“So, this is you being chivalrous and not because I’m pregnant?”

“Remember, I’m a good guy?” I kissed her cheek and pulled all our luggage out of the car.

Lexie swung her purse over her shoulder and smiled at me. “Of course, I remember.”

“And Lexie?”

“Yeah?” She turned back to me.

“I love you too, and our baby.”

A bright smile spread across her face. “If I hadn’t been sick for weeks on end, I wouldn’t believe we made a baby, but we did.” Her hands rested over her stomach as she looked over her shoulder at my parents’ house. “I hope they take the news okay.”

“They will, and they’re going to love you both. I promise.”

I managed to get everything upstairs with only two trips, and when I brought the last of our stuff inside, I found Lexie taking my childhood bedroom in with a twinkle in her eye. It wasn’t much. The walls were light blue with car posters scattered throughout. I didn’t have any trophies since we never had the money for me to be in any sports, and there were no posters of women in bikinis since I didn’t want to disrespect my mother. The same navy bedding still covered my bed. It was probably boring to the outside eye.

“We should probably head downstairs. We can unpack later if you want.”

Lexie bit her bottom lip before she nodded as I held out my hand for her to take. With our fingers intertwined, we started to descend the stairs and make our way to my parents.

“Your room is cute. I’m not sure what I thought it would look like, but—”

“Probably half-naked women covering every inch of my walls.” Leaning down, I nipped at her chin.

“Something like that.” She grinned.

“I can’t wait to bring you back up here and get you naked once my parents go to sleep.”

“No,” she backed away until her back hit the wall in the hall, “there will be none of that while we’re here. They already hate me enough.”

Internally I rolled my eyes. I wished I could convince her that my parents didn’t hate her.

“Don’t be so hasty, or we’ll be leaving first thing in the morning.”

“Oh please,” she lightly swatted my arm. “You can go without for a week. You did before.”

“There’s been no one else but you since we met.” Lacing our fingers together, I pulled her down the stairs. “Now stop stalling, and let’s go make a good impression.”

Lexie squeezed my hand but said nothing as we made our way downstairs and into the living room where my parents were sitting on the couch side by side, waiting. My mom’s face was lit up with happiness while my dad’s knee bounced in agitation.

“I’m sorry we took so long. Ryder was showing me his room and—”

“That’s perfectly fine, dear.”

“We understand since it’s your first time here,” my dad said, and both he and Lexie frowned.

What the hell was his problem?

Lexie and I both sat on the love seat. My wife trying to sit as far away from me as possible, but it was a tiny piece of furniture that put us close together, no matter how hard she tried. Putting my arm around her shoulders, I pulled her close to my side and flashed her a smile. “Relax. He can smell your fear.”

“Not funny, dimples.”

“When did you two meet?” My father directed his question at Lexie.

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