Page 96 of Slow Burn (The Boston Beauties)

Drew’s phone buzzed on the counter as I was getting our breakfast ready. When it buzzed again, I glanced over at it. I wasn't sure how Drew would feel about me looking at his text messages. As I was now his wife, I would hope we didn’t have any secrets. At least I didn’t think they would be on the level of what Matt had kept from me.

I may have grown and worked on myself, but I was human, a female one at that, and my insecurity showed sometimes. But even when my thoughts went to familiar corners, I always knew Drew loved me.

Knowing Joe was typically the first on-site and texted if there were any issues, I reached for his phone thinking there may be an emergency at one of the sites.

When I looked at the screen without even unlocking it, I saw that there were two messages from Lisa. Not only was my insecurity surfacing, my jealousy monster was also rearing its ugly head before eight in the morning.

I measured the fruit out for our smoothies and blended them as Drew walked out of our room wearing nothing but a towel, wrapping his arms around me and nuzzling his face into the crease of my neck before bending down to kiss the barely noticeable bump that was my belly. He’d been doing this multiple times a day, and I had to say it made my heart just melt. He was going to be the best dad. Even though he worried what kind of dad he would be, as he hadn’t had many positive role models growing up—male or female.

I had to keep reminding him that he turned out great and so would our son or daughter.We had agreed that we didn’t want to know the sex of the baby, that there were few real surprises left in life and we wanted this bundle of joy to be just that, our biggest surprise in every way imaginable. The whole being pregnant in the first place was just the tip of the iceberg

'Um...' I started, not knowing how to broach the subject of his missed texts. 'You have a few texts...from Lisa.'

He looked at me curiously, and I explained, 'Sorry, I just saw the name pop up, I didn’t read it, just thought it might have been Joe...'

He placed a soft kiss on my lips. 'Cupcake, you have my code, you can read anything. I have no secrets from you and I never will.' He reached across the counter to retrieve his phone. 'I just don’t know why she would be messaging me is all. She hasn’t in months, we’re hardly on speaking terms.'

He showed me the phone when he read the msg.

LISA:Hey sorry to bother you but I need a pair of bolt cutters.

LISA:Do you have a pair I can borrow or know who might be able to lend me a pair

LISA:I don’t want to buy a pair for one lock

Drew looked to me. ‘Do you mind if I drop a pair off to her?'

I looked up to him with raised eyebrows, surprised he was asking for my permission. ‘I really don’t care. But it’s a bit suspicious she’s asking now when the news broke two days ago.'

'I don’t have to...'

'No, help her out...I’m just saying maybe don’t give any info about me. I’m sure there’s money to be made off me.'

He laughed, 'That’s so bizarre...'

'I know, but I think I’m going to talk to Miley, give her an exclusive. '

'Wow, that’s bold.'

'Zoe said everyone had emailed asking for a one-on-one sit-down with me, including her, which is pretty amazing, as it’s nothing she’s done before. She’s always been very private, and no one knows her identity.'

As Zoe handled all the PR for my father’s company, she had been tasked with handling all inquiries related to me and my reappearance. So far, there’d only been two press releases. One to say that I was alive and another personal statement from myself to ask for privacy during the time of being back with my family.

On the plus side, Zoe and I spoke multiple times a day and texted often too.

'You going to do it?'

I nodded. I had given it a lot of thought over the past few days. And it seemed like my favorite option. 'Yeah, as soon as I’m cleared obviously. '

'Okay, let me know. I’ll support you one hundred percent. '

I raised on my toes. 'I know, that's why I love you. '

'Want me to show you the other reasons why you love me?' He pressed into me.

'You’re already late,' I protested but knew I was seconds away from caving.

‘So what, I'm the boss,’ he started to peel off my undies. ‘I’m going to indulge in all the fringe benefits I can.’

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