Page 69 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

He crosses the small distance between us and adjusts my dress. He manages to clip it at the top and works the zipper up carefully. It takes some finagling on his part, but he secures it. It’s tighter than I’d like, but it’ll have to do.

“I swear I tried this on again last week, and it fit perfectly.”

He rubs his hand over my belly, a small smile on his lips. Something tells me he’s going to miss my pregnant belly.

“You’re nearing the end, so that means you’re growing the most. It’s normal.”

“I know,” I whine and turn back to the mirror in the bathroom so I can touch up the makeup I just did and already began sweating off. I didn’t do too much, because frankly I don’t feel like it, but I’m also not about to show up to Rosie and Daire’s black-tie affair with no makeup on at all.

He watches me in the mirror as I fix beneath my eyes where my mascara transferred.

I meet his eyes in the mirror. “Why are you staring at me?”

His lips tick up on one corner. “Because you’re pretty.”

I shake my head. “I’m sweaty and swollen. I’m the farthest thing from pretty right now.”

“You’re wrong. You’re always stunning.”

I feel my skin flush all over again for a different reason this time.

He leans in and kisses the crook of my neck. I shiver at the press of his lips. My body reacts to him in ways it shouldn’t considering I’m squeezed into this dress and there’s no way I’m going to try to get out of it.

Once my makeup is touched up, I spin around in the small bathroom as best I can, surveying the dress from every angle to make sure I didn’t rip stitches or anything else. But everything seems to be in working order.

“Oh.” I grab onto the bathroom counter with one hand and my stomach with the other.

Luke, who had disappeared around the corner is there in an instant. His eyes flitter over me with worry. “Is everything okay?”

I wave away his concern once I can straighten up. “I told you already, Braxton Hicks contractions.”

He gives me a doubtful look. “Are they happening regularly? Should I start timing them?”

“I’m fine,” I insist with more bite to my voice than I mean to and hurt flashes in his eyes. “Sorry,” I apologize. “It’s just we have a few more weeks until this guy is due.” I rub my stomach. “I want to make it through this wedding and you starting your preseason and then he can come.”

He rests a hand on my waist. “You’ll tell me if you think they’re more?”

“Of course,” I reply, grabbing my silver clutch off the top of the dresser. “Let’s get out of here.”

The venue is gorgeous—a winery they found about an hour from Nashville. It looks like it belongs in Europe, not Tennessee. The main building is made from some kind of old cobblestone, and the outdoor area is elevated enough to overlook the land and mountains beyond.

“I have to find Rosie,” I tell Luke after we get out of the car, and he’s handed the keys off to the valet. “She gave me directions to where she’s getting ready.”

“Okay.” He pulls me in and plants a kiss on my cheek.

I feel my skin warm.

I’m still not used to the open PDA, and we haven’t discussed any labels, but I think we’ve both settled into the silent realization that we both want more out of this relationship.

I give his hand a squeeze and then I follow Rosie’s directions in her text message to the bridal suite. I give the door a light knock and her mom opens it, pulling me into a hug.

I might not have made up with my parents, but I’m glad Rosie has been able to with hers.

“Where is she?” I ask.

“Just around here,” her mom says just as I have another stupid practice contraction and gasp.

“Are you okay?” Her hands hover around me like she’s not quite sure what to do.