Page 84 of Unexpected Kisses

“Oh my God, this is so good!” Mel exclaims after taking a bite of her California roll.

“So good. Thanks for meeting me for my birthday.”

“Always.” She drags an envelope out of her purse. “I got you something, too.”

I love presents. I mean what girl doesn’t? I open the envelope and slide out a gift card for a nail pampering session at my favorite salon,R&R Nail Salon. I lean across and hug my long-time friend. “Thank you so much. I hope you’re coming with me.”

She reaches back into her purse and pulls out a second envelope. “You betcha! We just need to coordinate our schedules.”

I always love spending time with Mel, she’s the best friend a girl could ask for. “You seem less tired today.”

She chuckles. “I’m on days this week, so I’m getting proper sleep. It always helps.” She scans me up and down. “You look as though you’re glowing and I don’t think it’s just because it’s your birthday.” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down.

I sigh with what I’m sure is a dreamy look on my face.

“Oh yeah, clearly lover boy is doing a good job at keeping you sexed up!” Mel chuckles.

“Oh my God, Mel. I’ve never had so many orgasms in my entire life. The man is a master.” I chuckle. “But that’s all the information you’re getting out of me on that front.”

“Boo! What sort of friend are you if you’re not gonna share the deets with your bestest friend in the whole entire world?” She nudges me with her shoulder. “Only kidding. I’m happy to see you happy, my friend. You deserve it.”

“You deserve it, too, you know,” I tell her and she shrugs.

“So, do you think you’re pregnant yet?”

My mood drops like a lead balloon. “I don’t know. I should be for the amount of sex I’ve had this month.” I shrug. “But who knows.”

Mel places her hand softly on my forearm. “It’ll happen. The universe knows what a great mom you’ll be, so youwillhave a baby. You’ll see.” She squeezes my arm gently.

I’m glad she’s feeling so positive about the whole thing. I’m honestly beginning to doubt if I’ll ever have my dream. And will AJ want to stick around if I can’t get pregnant? Or will he decide it’s best to move on with someone whocanhave a baby? Is our relationship wholly contingent on us getting pregnant and having a child together?

Thankfully, Mel senses the drop in my mood and changes the subject to lighter topics; sharing stories about the girls she works with. Some of them sound a little unhinged which is surprising since they always seem so put together whenever I’ve volunteered, but Mel says they’re great girls. I’ll take her word for it. And they can’t be too bad, they spend their days and nights caring for incredibly sick babies.

“Shit, I need to get back.” Mel stands, tossing her purse straps over her shoulder. I stand too and we head for the pay station. “My treat today, since it’s your birthday.” She gives me a side hug.

“Thanks, Mel, and thanks for meeting me today. I love seeing your face.”

“Me too. I mean, I don’t love seeing my face, I love seeingyourface.” We both chuckle as we leave the restaurant and walk back toward my building arm in arm. We hug goodbye and I head back upstairs.

* * *

“Honey, I’m home,” I call as soon as I enter AJ’s home. Even though he’s made me feel completely welcome here, I still think of it as his home. Everything’s quiet. AJ and Dylan must still be working. I head toward their office at the rear of the house.

“Okay, I’ll see you on the seventeenth!” AJ snaps harshly. I’ve never heard him raise his voice.

Dylan steps out of their office and smiles at me. “Is everything all right?” I ask and his head tilts to the side in question. I point at the open barn door. “AJ sounds pissed at something.”

“Oh that. It’s nothing, just some family drama.” He steps closer and wraps his arms around me, lifting me off of my feet. “Happy birthday, Sarah.”

I chuckle. “Thanks.”

When he places me back on my feet, we both walk inside their well-appointed office. AJ has his back to the doorway, his hands resting on his hips, and his head dropped toward the floor. His shoulders are rising and falling with heavy breaths. I don’t think his call was ‘nothing,’ he seems upset.

“Look who’s home!” Dylan calls.

AJ spins on the spot and his entire demeanor changes when his eyes land on me. In three long strides, he has his arms wrapped around me, repeating Dylan’s action by lifting me off of my feet. “Hey, Cupcake.” He presses his lips firmly against mine and we go from zero to one hundred in five seconds flat. His yummy scent wraps around me, making me feel calm and steady. That’s what he does for me. He steadies me, calming my overactive mind.

“All right, I’m outta here. Enjoy the rest of your birthday, Sarah.”

---