Page 68 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

He parks the SUV in the garage and gets out. Choruses of, “Daddy!” ring out and his two kids come sprinting toward him. Little Oliver nearly faceplants in the grass, and Bertie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes widened with panic, but he catches himself and continues running like nothing happened.

I watch the two kids crash into Tanner’s open arms where he’s crouched down to welcome them.

My eyes then go to Bertie and find her watching me.

One day, that’s going to be our kid running to me screaming, “Daddy,” and I can’t wait.

I walk over to where she sits in the grass and plop down beside her. She’s always beautiful, but she looks extra pretty today with her hair down and curled around her shoulders and wearing a pastel blue dress with flowers.

My hand goes to her belly, and she puts hers overtop mine.

“Did you have a good time with Tanner?”

“I did.” The baby moves and then gives a solid kick at my hand. “Hey, bud.”

“He’s extra active today,” she sighs, leaning back. The sun halos her in a golden glow.

“We need to get you set up with a new doctor here.”

“Ugh.” She squeezes her eyes shut. “Don’t remind me.”

Kayla, overhearing us, says, “My doctor was fantastic. I’ll get you their information.”

Bertie sends a small smile in her direction. “Thank you.”

Tanner joins us in the grass with Oliver hanging off one arm and Lola dangling from around his neck.

“Kids,” Kayla sighs. “You’re going to break your dad’s back.”

“I’m fine.” Tanner lowers Oliver down and then extracts Lola from her koala hold. The kids take off running across the yard and he looks our way. “Are y’all ready for this?”

Bertie laughs and the baby kicks again. “I don’t think we have a choice.”

She looks over at me, and I can’t help it when I lean in and kiss her. She stiffens with surprise for the barest of seconds before she kisses me back.

“I like the way our future looks.” I brush my nose over hers.

“Yeah?” There’s a fear there in her eyes, like somehow, she’s still not sure this is what I want.

“Yeah.”

CHAPTER 24

BERTIE

Doing my hair and makeup before squeezing into my dress for Daire and Rosie’s wedding was the worst decision I could make. I huff and puff as I try to get the zipper on the side up. I tried it on again a week ago just to be safe, and it was fine, but today it feels like I’m squeezing myself inside and I’m going to suffocate. I’m two seconds away from throwing my hair up in a messy bun just to get the strands of my neck. I’m sweating in places I didn’t know I could sweat.

I’m not getting this on by myself.

“Luke,” I whine, cracking open the bathroom door and peering outside. I find him beside the bed adjusting his sleeves. He looks damn good in his tux and even though I’m the size of a blimp and right on top of my due date, I want to jump his bones. We haven’t had sex since we got pregnant and the time we fooled around after that feels like it doesn’t even count.

He looks over at me, his wavy hair falling into his eyes. He’ll probably get a trim before the season starts. “What do you need?”

“I can’t get the zipper up.” I turn to the side so he can see. “I’m panicking and I’m hot and I’m sweaty and I’m cramping a little.”

His eyes widen, lips parting. “Cramping? That doesn’t sound good.”

I wave away his concern. “Braxton Hicks contractions are a thing for a reason. My body is preparing for delivery in a few weeks. No need to panic.” He doesn’t look convinced. “Help me, please.”