Page 34 of Accidentally in Love

“But he only wants to marry me because he thinks he has to,” I argued again.

“Avs, when he looks at you, all the grouchy broodiness falls off of him. I never see him like that with anyone else. Like…”

I frowned at her while I rubbed my pregnant belly in thought. “Like what, Gem?”

Her eyes got wide with excitement. “Like you’re his light.”

I rolled my eyes at her.

She poked me in the arm. “Seriously, Avs. I think you’re meant to be. Maybe the pregnancy wasn’t an accident. Maybe it was the universe’s way of pushing you together.”

I chewed on my lip in thought. I wanted to have the husband and babies and maybe the white picket fence, too. I think Nolan would give that to me if I told him that’s what I wanted. He had been willing to marry me right after I told him about the baby. And he was so protective of me and provided for me even when I didn’t ask for it.

Gemma gave me an exasperated look. “Okay, so maybe you don’t have to say yes to his proposal, but I know he cares about you, and I know you could be happy together.”

“What if it doesn’t work out?”

“Then it doesn’t work out. What’s the worst thing that could happen? I’ve been waiting two years for you two to get your heads out of your asses.”

Gemma had a point. We didn’t have to get married, but the truth was, I wanted that more than anything. That was why I had been on the apps for so long, with no luck. I wanted a husband who would love me and care for our children and me. Nolan could be that for me. He knew what I was searching for, and he was willing to give it all to me. Maybe it was enough that we could try to have a life together.

“Okay,” I said quietly.

If I didn’t say it out loud to my sister right now, I would chicken out and continue to keep Nolan at arm’s length. After listening to Gemma, I was seriously considering accepting Nolan’s marriage proposal. Was that weird and irrational? Absolutely! Did we need to get married just because we were having a baby together? That was a big nope. But it was time for me to take a risk for the man I loved. Then maybe I would be brave enough to tell him all I ever wanted was his love.

One day. Preferably before our baby turned thirty. I hoped.

“Okay, what?” Gemma asked, but she had a hopeful look in her eyes. Like she already knew what I was going to say. She rubbed the rose-colored crystal she wore around her neck between her fingers as she stared back at me in anticipation.

“I’m gonna tell him yes,” I said firmly and then nodded my head in confirmation.

“YAY!” Gemma cheered and hugged me again.

“I’m going to marry Nolan MacGregor.”

“For real? You’re really going to do it?”

“Gem,” I whispered and brushed away happy tears from my eyes. “He wants to give me everything I’ve ever dreamed of. Something’s telling me I have to try.”

“It’s a sign from the universe, Avs!”

I tried not to roll my eyes at that. God, I loved my sister, but she definitely was into her healing crystals and ‘signs from the universe’ a little too much. And yet, maybe my pull to marry Nolan was the universe telling me what to do. Not that I’d ever admit it to Gemma.

Gemma grabbed my hand and gave it a little squeeze. I smiled at her through my tear-stained eyes. “Avs, everything is going to be perfect. Nolan already dotes on you, and he’ll give you that happily ever after you want.”

I really hoped she was right. This was a huge risk. Who decided marrying their baby daddy was a good idea? Often, that didn’t work out, but something told me I had to take the chance on Nolan. I really hoped this didn’t all blow up in my face later.

Chapter Ten

NOLAN

“Hey, Boss Man, you got a visitor!” Allen announced as he came back into the tank room, where I was finishing up the fermentation of a new batch of beer.

“Busy!” I roared over the noise.

A smirk came across Allen’s dark complexion. “Too busy for your baby mama?”

I jerked my head up and immediately assumed the worst. “Avery?”