Page 16 of The Club Princess

“Let’s go shopping, princess.”

There’s a sense of uncontained joy stepping into the baby boutique. I’ve seen it downtown multiple times but never had the need to step into it.

The associates greet us with large smiles when we walk through the door, which is another welcomed sight. Most would take in our leather and snub their noses.

“Hello! Are you guys looking for anything in particular or just browsing?” a tiny blonde asks, walking up to us with a clipboard.

Gage drops his arm over my shoulder. “Yeah. Do you have a tiny motorcycle for kids? I gotta teach ‘em young.”

I smack his stomach and shake my head at the associate. “He’s joking. We just wanted to browse the clothes. It’s never too early to start the stockpile.”

She giggles, sneaking peeks at Gage but trying to keep her attention on me. I can respect her attempt at being respectful to me and not ogling my baby daddy, even though he’s ridiculously hot.

“Oh! Do you guys have books about pregnancy and all that? He’s a little clueless?” I ask sweetly.

Gage groans, his fingers squeezing at my arm. “I hate reading.”

“That’s too bad,” I look at him, fluttering my eyelashes. “Don’t you care about everything I’m going through?”

He narrows his eyes. “Don’t make that face.”

The associate giggles again. “The books are on the far right wall, and most of the newborn clothes are going to be on the racks over there.”

I tell her thanks and pull Gage toward the clothes. His hand pinches my ass as he follows, and I throw him a scolding look over my shoulder.

“Behave yourself.”

“Around you? Never,” he smirks.

Gage actually isn’t a bad partner to shop with. It’s like the minute his eyes catch the first onesie, a switch flips, and suddenly, he’s in extreme daddy mode. While I had only planned to get an outfit to bring home from the hospital, Gage’s arms are now full.

Even the associate's eyes widen when she sees the multiple blankets, burp rags, and clothes ranging up to 9 months laid out on the counter.

“I think you enjoyed shopping more than I did,” I tease him.

Gage smiles and rubs my little bump. “Got to take care of my girls.”

The associate makes an ‘aw’ noise as she rings up, and I roll my eyes. “You don’t even know it’s a girl.”

“Wishful thinking?” he snickers, not even glancing at the final total as he swipes his card.

“Thank you! Make sure to come again before the baby is born.” Her cheeks turn red as soon as the words come out of her mouth.

Gage snickers, and I pinch his arm. Smiling, I thank her and hand the bags over to him.

“Don’t even make a comment.” I hiss at him as I move quickly away from the register.

Gage laughs loudly as he wraps his arm around me, and we walk out the door, his hand flexing on my bump and his other arm full of bags.

“Mikayla?”

I tense, looking at my old best friend. A friend that hasn't bothered reaching out to me once in the past few months. “Talia?”

Her eyes drift to the merchandise Gage is holding, and her face twists into judgment. I tilt my chin up, knowing whatever is about to come out of her mouth will be nasty.

“That certainly was quick, wasn’t it?”

Gage lets go, coming to stand next to me. “What the fuck did you just say?”

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