Page 108 of Unexpected Forever
When she pulls back, I look into her eyes shining with happiness.
For me.
And there it is, that hitch in my breath whenever I see her, when she tells me about her day or asks about mine. Her laugh, her smile that lights up her whole face, the way she tilts her head when she eats those terrible burritos I make for her.
I’m head over heels, weak in the knees, in love with my baby mama.
I’ve spent decades running from love, and just when I thought I had it beat, I’m hit with a fastball that takes me down.
And I don’t know if I’ll get back up.
* * *
The parade bringsout the crowds. It’s hot, sticky, and tourists and locals alike flood the town.
After the last float trails by, we mingle for a bit, talking to people in town. By now, they’re used to me even if I don’t get into town a lot.
The ladies rub Charley’s belly—something she tolerates—and the men shake my hand and slap my back, congratulating me.
Pride swells my chest and, for the most part, overshadows my earlier doubts.
We’re heading to the car when Charley freezes in her tracks. “Uh-oh,” she mutters.
I stop next to her, my hand squeezing hers, my gaze running all over her body. Panic like I’ve never felt before claws my throat. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Incoming,” she says out of the side of her mouth before pasting a smile on her face. “Hi, ladies! Don’t y’all look spirited today?”
I look over as the Poker Posse approaches us. They’re all dressed alike in white pants, black T-shirts with “County Fair Committee” printed across the front, silver sneakers, and straw hats. Two of them carry handheld portable fans, pointing at their faces.
“Look at you, Charley Reynolds. Having a baby.” The shortest one in the front—the one I pegged as the ringleader at Megan’s party—smiles at Charley.
“Yes, Ms. Faye, I am.”
“Your mama is just over the moon, isn’t she?”
Charley grins. “Yes, ma’am.”
The other three do what they did the last time I met them. Surround me and look me over like a prized stallion.
Faye turns to me and smiles. “Hello, Nate. You ready to be a daddy?”
One of the twins leans over to the other. “I’d like to call him daddy if you know what I mean,” she says, loud enough for me to overhear. They giggle behind their hands.
I widen my eyes and look over at Charley, who bites her lip, trying not to laugh.
“For God’s sake, EllaMae, don’t be such a hussy.” The one with the perpetual frown glares at the other woman.
“Lighten up, Clarice,” EllaMae says, huffing out a breath. “I’m just sayin’ what we’re all thinkin’.”
Oh, Jesus.
My head spins and I look back at Faye. “Uh, yes, ma’am. I’m looking forward to it.”
Clarice eyes Charley. “Boy or girl?”
“We decided not to find out,” Charley says.
Clarice hums. “Good for you. We didn’t get to find out in our day. Got any names picked out?”
