Page 43 of Keeping Promises

Lexi:Hello! Are you still there?

Lexi:Are you kidding me? I hate you.

Lexi:Oh, come on! Asshole.

Asher:I should have grabbed some popcorn before coming in because this shit is entertaining.

Me:Don’t you people have work to do or something instead of teasing each other? Maybe I should call your boss to get you two in trouble.

Asher:Savage!

Asher:Also, good luck trying. Lexi went into Ben’s office ten minutes ago with the door closed. So, either she is in there bitching about not knowing, or maybe he’s distracting her with ….

Me:Gross!

Asher:But in all seriousness, I do have a client meeting in fifteen. I’ll see you tonight.

Me:See you tonight. Don’t forget to wear pink or blue.

Asher:Got it!

* * *

“So, what’s up with you and Asher?” Brynn asks as she and Lexi take a seat on my bed while I finish getting ready.

I lay down on the couch for a “brief” afternoon nap earlier and ended up being jolted awake when there was a knock on the door. I was still wiping the drool from my lips as I opened the door to find Brynn and Cal on the other side. Five minutes later, Ben and Lexi were walking into the apartment.

I’m tousling my loose waves, trying to bring new life into them, caught off guard by their inquisition.

“I… umm.” I know that I can’t lie to them, and even if I did, they would most likely right through it. “I don’t know.” I can see their stares in the reflection. “I mean, I don’t really know how to explain it.”

Lexi leans back on her elbows on the bed. “Well, why don’t you try? Walk us through what you’re feeling. We all see something happening between the two of you.” Do they?

I exhale and spin around to face them, bracing myself up on the dresser. “At first, it was really nothing. We agreed to just do this together as a team. No feelings or anything, but the longer we hang out and the more I get to know him, I don’t know. I hate admitting this because it fucking terrifies me, but I could see myself falling for him. I had a key made for him.”

“Woah, that’s a big step.” Lexi shoots up from the bed.

“That’s not a big step.” I spin back around to finish getting ready. If Asher and I were actually together, it would be a big step, but we’re not. Maybe if I tell myself that over and over, it will stick. Giving him a key provides him access to be here at any time. It gives up my independence because he doesn’t need to announce his arrival with a knock or a call; he can just enter on his own free will.

I was too young to remember living with my mother, and besides my Grams, Lexi is the only roommate I’ve ever had—not that Asher would be considered a roommate; he’s just my baby daddy doing his part.

“Yes, it is,” Brynn and Lexi respond at the same time.

“No. I had it made so that he’s able to come and go once the baby is born. It makes sense.”

Both girls remain silent, but when my gaze locks with theirs, I know they both have lots they want to say in response, but neither gets a chance to respond because the front door to the apartment opens and closes, followed by Cal yelling, “Asher’s here with the cake, and if you guys don’t come out, I’m diving in.”

“No,” the three of us shout in unison.

Lexi and Brynn are the first to walk out of my room while I stare at my reflection just one moment longer.This is it; I’m just moments away from finding out if I have a son or daughter.

A newfound sense of nerves washes over me as I make my way down the hall to the living room, adjusting my baby blue and white maxi dress.Yep, I guess that this little nugget is a boy.

When I look up, my eyes land on Asher standing there in a pink polo shirt. His smile is wide and bright and just for me.

“Wow, you look beautiful.” He smiles as I approach him. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his arms. I inhale his scent, and the nerves instantly dissolve.

I allow him to hold me a moment longer than I should, especially knowing that we have four pairs of eyes staring at us.

---