Page 34 of One Unexpected Gift

“True. He loves you two unconditionally.”

“That he does. Getting back to you.” She held up three fingers. “Third. Stop crying. Your dripping mascara makes you look like a two-dollar hooker. Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up and out of here.”

“You’re so sweet.” Skylar chuckled.

“I want you to be happy and going out on a date with raccoon eyes is going to make that happiness harder to find. Although, by the way Nick was looking at you the other night at The Zone tells me he won’t care if you’re wearing makeup or clothes.”

“Always the one-track mind.”

“Um. Pot. Kettle. I want my sexy Skylar back.”

“You’re saying I’m not sexy?” Sky stood up and stroked her belly, still slightly round with baby fat.

“You’re beautiful with a flat stomach, nine months pregnant, and girl, you look amazing six weeks post-partum. If Nick is turned off because of your body, then I’ll be the first in line to chop off his balls.”

“I love you, Charlotte.” Skylar laughed as she wrapped her best friend in a hug.

“Love you too, babe. Go clean up. Before you know it, you’ll be rushing back home to nurse. Speaking of, I never asked how the breast pump went today.”

It was a gift from Brooke, Gina, and Charlie so she could start pumping her milk and freezing it for when she had to go back to work.

“I feel like a cow being milked. Definitely not the most attractive thing you’ll see.”

“Wash your face and get the hell out of here. Love you.” Charlie gave her a quick hug before leaving her room.

A few minutes later, once her face was put back together, Skylar heard the dogs bark and then the doorbell ring. Male voices and laughter rumbled through the house. Olivia was at a friend’s house and Owen knew not to let Nick know about Gabby. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

Sky had picked up her baby stuff from the living room. As long as Nick stayed downstairs he wouldn’t see baby blankets and toys, and as long as Gabby stayed asleep in Charlie’s room, he wouldn’t hear her. Sky hurried down the stairs and came to a halt at the bottom.

Nick stood relaxed and at ease, his shoulder resting against the doorjamb, while chatting with Owen. His dark jeans outlined his muscular legs beautifully, while his black Henley stretched across his wide chest giving him a trace of bad-boy-trying-to-look-good-for-mom vibe.

His thick, dark hair had been trimmed since she’d last seen him three nights ago. Still long enough to style on top, but not so long where he had to cake it with product. She itched to run her fingers through the silky strands.

She sighed louder than she meant to, and he turned to her. A smile lit up his face.

“There she is.” Nick gave her an appreciative glance up and down with his smoldering baby blues before reaching out his hand for her. “Nice chatting with you, O.”

“I’ll leave the porch light on. Don’t be out too late, Red.” Owen snickered.

Sky ignored the annoying nickname he liked to teaser her with and mouthed a thank you to Owen before being led out the door. Nick kept his hand locked with hers while they walked to his Wrangler. His hands were warm and strong. She liked it when he touched her in such simple ways.

He opened the passenger door, placed his hands on her hips, and helped her up. Unnecessarily, but lovely still.

“Nice Jeep. What happened to the truck?”

“She’s at home. We can go to my place and switch vehicles if you want. Or stay in.” He gave her a wink before closing her door and rounding the hood. “You sure you trust me to pick the movie?” he asked when he was buckled in and they were on the road.

“I told you I love pretty much everything.”

“Pretty much, which means there are some movies you don’t like.” He reached across the shifter and threaded his fingers with hers.

“I don’t like bad ones.”

“That narrows it down. What’s the last bad movie you saw?”

Sky thought back to the last time she’d been to the movies. Not since before she was pregnant. She named a movie she remembered seeing with The Rock in it.

“That movie is three years old.”

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