Page 121 of Just My Type
He cups my face in his hands. “It’s your book party. I thought you might be nervous for tomorrow, so I wanted you to have everyone who loves you with you tonight. To remind you that you have a whole family standing behind you. We’re so, so proud of you Hannah. But don’t forget that I love you most.”
I let out a watery laugh, wrapping my arms around Noah’s waist and holding tight. “Thank you,” I whisper. “This is amazing. But what’s with the roof renovation?”
Noah pulls back and smiles. “I thought it was about time that we had ourselves a comfortable place to sit when we’re up here, which is always. We’re making a home together. This is part of that home too.”
I squeeze my eyes shut as love for this man just pours out of me. “I love you so much. You are my favorite person in the entire world.”
Noah pulls back so he can look at me. “I thought the day I woke up married to you was the best day of my life, but I was wrong. Every day since has been even better, and I think our days are going keep getting better and better for the rest of our lives. I love you, Hannah. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I promise to keep loving you forever.” Noah leans in and kisses me, light and sweet and full of promise, and I sink into it, wanting to kiss him forever, but we’re interrupted by Hallie’s very impatient voice.
“Kiss her later, Noah. Some of us traveled a really long way to be here.”
Noah chuckles, kissing me one more time. “Your public awaits. But later, we’re doing the naked shower thing.”
I wink at him. “Count on it.”
Then I sprint across the roof and throw myself at Hallie, hugging her tightly. “What are you doing here?” I ask, practically beaming.
“Your husband is very persistent. He said we were celebrating your book tonight and only bad sisters would miss it.”
I laugh, giving her one last squeeze before hugging Ben. “Thank you so much for coming. Where are the babies?”
He kisses the side of my head before he lets me go. “With my parents. My mom was thrilled for two full nights alone with them.”
“Sister hug,” Jo squeals, throwing her arms around me and Hallie in a tight, three-person hug. “Amelia, get the fuck over here! Our girl is about to be a traditionally published author.”
Amelia laughs, wedging herself in between me and Jo and then the four of us are wrapped together, and I’m so happy I could burst.
“Okay, give someone else a turn,” Pam says, scooting Hallie, Jo, and Amelia away and wrapping me up. “I am so damn proudof you, honey. Tomorrow is going to be amazing, and you deserve every single bit of it.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, a little emotional at her words. “Thank you for everything. For making me a part of your family when I wasn’t really, and for being there for me when I needed you.”
Pam leans back, her hands on my shoulders. “Always, Hannah. You’re one of mine, and not just because you accidentally married one of my sons in Vegas and then fell in love with him for real. Because you’re you, and we needed you in this family.”
“We sure did,” Rob said, taking his hug next. “You did an amazing thing, honey. I’m so happy to be able to celebrate you.”
“Me too!” Cece says, pushing Rob out of the way and standing right in front of me, taking my hands in hers. “I couldn’t possibly be prouder of another human than I am of you, Hannah. You made hard choices, and did hard things, and you ended up exactly where you were supposed to be.”
“You think?” I ask, glancing around the roof Noah made beautiful for us, at all the people he gathered here for me. At the man himself, looking at me with so much love and pride on his face that my heart practically bursts from the joy of it all.
Cece smiles. “I know.”
Noah saunters over, sliding an arm around my waist, tugging me to him. “Give the girl some breathing room, Cece. She’s got books to sign.”
“I do?”
Noah grins and gestures to the table in the corner full of snacks, drinks, and a stack of the new version of my book. “I snuck some out of the box of books you had in the library. I figured everyone would want one.”
“You figured right,” Pam says. “Mine first.”
Noah reaches into his pocket and pulls out a handful of the signing pens I like to use, pressing a kiss to my head and handing them to me. “Looks like you’ve got some work to do, Gorgeous.”
I take them, leaning up and pressing a kiss to his jaw. “You are getting such a big reward for this later.”
Noah smirks at me, heat flashing in his eyes. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”
“Hey, where’s Cooper by the way?”
Noah shrugs. “He said he was stuck at work, but that he would try and get here as soon as he could.”
The words are barely out of Noah’s mouth when the door to the roof flies open, and Cooper appears. His face is flushed, and he’s breathing hard like he ran here all the way from work. His once-crisp dress shirt is wrinkled, one side hanging out of his pants. His hair is a disheveled mess, like he’s spent who even knows how long running his hands through it, and his eyes are wide and wild, darting around the roof like he can’t quite figure out where he is.
“What the fuck?” Noah mutters, staring at his brother like he’s never seen him before. And honestly, fair, because this version of Cooper is not one that I’m acquainted with either.
“Cooper, are you okay honey?” Pam asks, stepping forward.
Cooper takes a deep breath, shoving both of his hands through his hair and tugging on it, like he’s looking for something to ground himself. When he opens his mouth and speaks, his words are shaky and uncertain, and he’s looking at us, but I don’t think he really sees anything.
“I think…” He pauses, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. “I think I’m going to be a dad.”
