Page 33 of Sweet Escape
“I’ve gotta get back to the booth, anyway. Have fun, you two.” She pats Liv on the shoulder and takes off around the corner.
“Please tell me you didn’t tell the biggest gossip in town about our happy little accident.”
“First of all, this”—she discreetly gestures around her midsection, talking through clenched teeth—“isn’t an episode of Bob Ross. And she figured it out on her own. In fact, she knew even before you did.”
“And she hasn’t told the whole town?”
“Contrary to what everyone believes about my grandmother, she is trustworthy when you need her to be. She would never betray me that way.” Judging by the dejected look on her face, there’s something she’s not saying, and I’m pretty sure I know what it is.
“Look at me, Cupcake.”
She bites down on her bottom lip as her eyes meet mine.
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
“I want this. I want to tell the whole world about our baby. It wouldn’t bother me one bit if Rosie stood up on that stage right now and announced it to the entire town. But you’re not ready, and that’s okay; I can wait. So, whatever you’re thinking, get it out of your pretty little head.” I lift my hand, intending to tug her lip free, but think better of it when I realize there’s still a huge crowd gathered around us. “Is that clear enough for you?”
She nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
“You ever need a reminder, say the word. I’m willing to do whatever it takes until you believe me.”
She twists the ring on her finger. “I… um… I actually have an appointment coming up. Would you want to come along?”
“Yeah. I’d like that.”
“Ok. I’ll text you the details. I’d better get back to the booth before people start talking.”
She bounces on her feet, like she’s going to hug me goodbye, but changes her mind. It takes every ounce of my self-control not to follow through. We need to come up with a plan to tell our families soon. Olivia is temptation personified, and I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out.
Olivia
“We’ve sold out of damn near everything,” Grammy says as we pack up the last remnants of our booth. The crowd has dispersed with only a few stragglers left behind, and I’m damn near dead on my feet. If the nausea doesn’t do me in, it’ll be the fatigue. It’s a miracle I’m still standing.
“Go on up to the apartment, Liv. I’ll finish up here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Go. I’m perfectly capable of cleaning up after myself. You’ve got to take care of yourself and that little snickerdoodle you’re growin’.”
I kiss Grammy on the cheek and turn to leave, narrowly missing the massive figure looming in the shadows. “Somethin’ you wanna tell me, Liv?”
Nick Bennett—my father.
Upon first glance, he might come across as intimidating, but to me and my mom, he’s a big teddy bear. His six foot five frame has softened around the middle with age, and his once dark hair and beard are now a bright white, lending perfectly to his role as Santa Claus in the annual Christmas parade.
“Oh. Hey, Daddy. You scared me.”
He towers over me, crossing his arms over his massive chest and lifting a brow. “You’re keeping secrets.”
“I don’t know what you’re on about. I was just heading home.” I gesture over my shoulder in the general direction of the diner, doing my best to appear oblivious.
“Home. Right… you and your ‘little snickerdoodle’? I wasn’t born yesterday. When were you plannin’ to tell us?”
“I just found out. I was hoping to wait until the second trimester before telling anyone, but you know Grammy. She has a way of working things out on her own time.”
“And the father? Does Jake know?”
“It’s… not Jake’s.”
