Page 30 of Happily Ever Maybe

“You guys do such a great job, and I’m grateful for it.Especially when I needed help.” Raven swallowed hard, and I reached out andsqueezed her hand. She had been through hell, but we’d found the guy.

I still didn’t like to think about that. I didn’t like itwhen my friends were in danger.

“Anyway,” she said with a bright smile that reached hereyes, “I guess that’s what happens when you have someone to rely on. Someone youlove with everything you are. And now I’m getting personal. I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. I guess most people thoughtwe were together.”

“Part of me wants to know if you are now. But again, I’mjust your baker, nothing more.”

“I’d like to think you’re my friend after all these monthsof me eating every single baked good you make.”

I rubbed my hand over my stomach, the scent of lemon hittingme. I staggered a bit, shaking my head. “I was going to ask for a lemon bar,but maybe not.”

Raven studied my face before her eyes widened. “Oh. Oh!”

“Please, don’t say anything,” I mumbled quickly, handsoutstretched.

“I won’t. Well. I’m just going to take all my secrets andburning questions and walk over here. Let me get you some tea. Does that soundgood? Maybe with some oat milk?”

“That sounds amazing.”

“We’ve got you. And it’s decaf, too.”

Well, that just confirmed she knew I was pregnant. I wouldhave to be better about hiding it. I was still in the first trimester. I didn’twant everybody to know yet. I hadn’t told my family. We hadn’t told his. I didn’t know which of our friends knew, and keeping myfacial expressions a little more passive. But first, I needed to come to termswith this myself before the rest of the world knew.

I spoke to Raven for a bit longer before grabbing my thingsand heading over to the security building past the tattoo shop. Montgomery InkLegacy was going strong, and I could see Raven’s man, Sebastian, working on aback piece through the window. I waved at Lake, who was one of the owners, andshe smiled back. Everybody was just so happy, finding their ways and theirpaths.

I was sort of stumbling. And it was working, but what if itquit? What if I realized I had no idea what I was doing?

I couldn’t help but think back to just a few days prior whenI was sitting there listening to my doctor as she explained everything.

Gus had been there, the two of us sitting wide-eyed as welooked at the dot on an ultrasound that didn’t even look the size of a grain ofrice.

But it was. We were having a baby. And we were startingsomething new. A new relationship.

It didn’t feel real. It needed to. Because reality was acold shock of water to the system, and there was no going back.

He’d held my hand as we listened, as we tried to come toterms with exactly what was happening. Because it was happening.

I wanted this baby. A smile spread over my face as I walkedinto the office, realizing that was the truth. I wanted this child. And Iwanted it with Gus.

“Hey there,” Kate said, pulling me out of my life-alteringrevelations.

I looked up at her and smiled. “Hey. I didn’t know you werein today.”

“I’m trying to be in most days. Even just for a minute. Iwanted to get a few things done.”

“You’re doing a great job, Kate. I really appreciate it.”

“That’s sweet of you to say. Thank you. I’m trying my best.And I love working with you guys.”

“Seriously. You keep us up to date, and you make sure we’reorganized. We need that. It might sound weird to say, but lives depend on it.”

Kate blew out a breath. “That’sfrightening but thank you. You know, I always thought it would be a littlescary to work in the security business. But it’s fun. You guys are a bigfamily.”

I nodded, my smile stretching. “We are. Even if we fightsometimes.”

“Well true. The fighting is fun,though. And you’re right next to some very hot tattoo artists. Although I’mpretty sure all of them are taken by now. Just my luck.”