Ryan spun the video back around. “Gotta go.”
I shook my head. “Are you sure?”
“Girl, Caleb is gonna be toast. Just, you know, nothing super flippy.” She wiggled her long ringed fingers. “Baby and all. Keep those feet on the floor.”
I laughed. “Yes, Mom.”
She wrinkled her nose at me. “Have fun.”
“Oh, I will.” I ended the video call and blew raspberries at my reflection before I swapped out the black lace shirt for a white cropped one.
Next, I fixed my space buns. They were super big now because of the vitamins I was on for the baby. Goddess, my hair was growing like my belly.
I patted the little bump that had finally made itself known. For the longest time, I had just looked like I’d ate too much Mexican food.
It was really weird that both of us were so damn happy right now. I kept worrying about rocking the universe’s boat—absolutely sure that I was way too lucky right now.
I was mending my relationship with my brother.
Slowly.
Extremely slowly.
But no matter what I said to him, he kept coming back for more. Usually, he arrived with something for the baby. Xavier figured I was having a girl. He told me I deserved a little girl just like me. I wasn’t sure if that was meant to be complimentary or not, but either way, I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was fairly sure the baby was male.
Caleb was convinced it was a boy. I figured that was more because he was worried Rhiannon would be jealous. She already had her cousin Vivi to compete with for time with grandma. From the get-go, wonderment had been the main element in Caleb’s reaction to our pregnancy.
It had taken me some time to believe he was in it for more than loyalty’s sake. Caleb was a stand-up guy with strong family values. I wasn’t used to that, or to his warm, loving family who had welcomed me with open arms.
However, Caleb’s overprotective instincts were driving me just a tad crazy. I needed to remind him I wasn’t breakable glass.
If that took a knockoff Britney Spears outfit, then I’d take one for the team.
I fluffed the hem of the skirt and adjusted my white cotton thong. Clothing shifted in weird ways now that my curves were getting out of control.
I made a pitstop at my mostly empty dresser. Here and there, I’d been moving my stuff over to Caleb’s apartment and using mine as an office of sorts. In my heart, I knew I could probably give up my apartment.
Caleb wasn’t going anywhere. Especially now that I’d actually asked him to marry me. I’d been on my own for so long that the idea of moving in with anyone was overwhelming. Let alone putting a ring on it.
That and my guy kept tucking flyers for houses for sale in every available space. His hints were more like sledgehammer swings.
“Babe?”
“Coming,” I called as I finished glossing on some red lipstick. I grabbed my phone and switched the music over to the playlist I’d made.
“You wouldn’t believe what Maddie did today. I swear, that girl needs her own show. Unfortunately, I’m the star of her chaotic circus.”
I stood in the doorway and put my hand on my waist, cocking my hip to show off the skirt to its maximum potential. Caleb had his back to me as he rolled up his shirtsleeves. A glittery handprint shimmered on his ass.
My thoughts of seduction morphed into annoyance. How dare she, whomever she was?
“Who had their hand on your ass?”
Caleb twisted his head and arched his back to see his own butt. “Dammit, how long has that been there?” He dropped his head forward—still not facing me, mind you. “I tried to get all the glitter off me.”
Impatiently, I tapped my foot. “You didn’t answer me.”
He turned around, his cheeks red. “Holy shit.”