Page 80 of Karma
Fuck you, Cole Walsh. You’re ruining this. Again.
“I told you from the very beginning that you’re stuck with me, kid. Besides, it would be a little silly if I left you because you had my baby inside of you when I’ve spent so much time with Nolan that he feels like he’s mine.”
Sniffling, she forces a smile. “You feel like Nolan is yours?”
“You don’t?”
“I do.”
“Baby, when will you realize I’m nothing like that jackass who came before me? I love you. I love you, and I love Nolan. And you’re having my baby, who I already love, too. This is good news.”
A small, relieved chuckle slips from between her lips, and she flies into his arms, wrapping her own around his neck. He tugsher skirt up over her hips to let her straddle his lap to hold her even closer.
“I’m just… The last time I had this conversation, it kind of killed me a little bit.”
“I’m nothing like him, Gracie.”
“I know,” she says, her face burrowed against his neck. “This is just really soon, and I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
He smiles and rubs his hand along her back. “I’m making real money now, and I actually wanted to talk to you about that tonight. I put a down payment on a four bed, three bath house. It seemed perfect for you, me, and Nolan. We’d also have room to grow, which, as it turns out, we’ll need sooner than later.”
Gracie pulls back, and Kent slides his hand over her belly. He stares at it, imagining her with a little bump that eventually grows into the belly he remembers her having with Nolan. Knowing his baby’s in there makes him so proud he could burst.
“You want to move in together?”
“I do. And I hope you want to, too. Your dad might kill me, but luckily, I can take a beating. I’m not leaving no matter what you decide, though. We did this together, and we’re going todo thistogether.”
“How are you so calm about this?” Gracie asks, rubbing her thumb on his cheek as she cups it. “I’ve been freaking out, and you’re just calm, cool, and collected. Like it’s no big deal. Like it doesn’t throw a wrench into everything.”
Gently kissing her lips, he smirks. “Why would I freak out? Besides, what good will that do? I want this baby. Just like I want you and Nolan. We’re a family.”
“I envy how relaxed you are with everything in life. I’m like a chicken with its head cut off most of the time, but not you.”
“And that’s why we’re perfect together. You freak out, and I calm you down.”
“Kent?”
“Yeah?”
She looks into his eyes and pauses. Her hand shakes against his face, and he knows she needs a moment to gather her strength. Being vulnerable and talking about emotions never comes easy for her, and he holds his breath as he waits, praying she says the three words he longs to hear.
“I wasn’t ready before because I was scared, but you’re right. You’re not Cole. You’re everything I never knew I wanted, but you’re everything I need.”
“If your goal is to talk me out of my clothes, you just won,” he whispers with a smirk.
She snorts. “Like it’s difficult?”
“You were supposed to say hard, not difficult. Then I could tell you it definitely is. Just like I always am around you.”
Her lips touch his. “Thank you for being happy about this. I was happy when I found out, but then I had a meltdown thinking maybe you wouldn’t be. Because you’re my best friend, and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You never have to find out.”
“I’m also kind of scared about how big this baby will be.”
Her grimace makes him chuckle. “It’ll be okay. Promise.”
“You’re the father Nolan needs, and you’ve always been there even when you didn’t have to be. You’re so patient with me, and you never make me feel crazy, even when I probably am. No one has ever accepted me like you have, and no one makes me feel more special or sexier or wanted than you do.”
