Just Getting Started (Fair Lakes 2)

“I’ll be home by eight, baby,” he says, hugging me into his chest. I can smell his soap, mixed with just a hint of sweat from a previous training session. It’s familiar and comfortable, and I can’t help but smile as the weight of his ring sits on my finger.

“I’m going to steal her away for lunch,” Gwen announces.

“Good,” Chase replies, dropping to his knees right here in the office. “You be good to Mommy, okay, Champ? No making her sick. She’ll need her strength for when I get home later tonight.” I can hear the smile in his voice as he kisses my flat stomach.

“Now who’s being gross?” Gwen asks.

Chase quickly stands and places his lips against mine. “I love you,” he whispers, running his hands down my back.

“Love you too.”

Reluctantly, he pulls back. I feel the loss of his body heat instantly.

“Let me know if you need anything,” Harrison states, holding out his fist.

Chase walks over and bumps the fist. “Will do.” Then, he turns toward me and adds, “See you later, baby.” He picks up the gym bag at the doorway and exits, a deep sadness sweeping through my body.

“Come on, sister. He’ll be home later. We’ll grab lunch to help a little time pass. Plus, you need to fill me in on all the proposal details,” Gwen boasts before taking a moment to say goodbye to her husband.

Together, we head down the block to the café and order some comfort BLTs and sweet potato fries. Gwen claims to be craving bacon, and I really just want the fries. Of course, I’m also praying they stay down, considering the last time we were here, I ended up in the bathroom vomiting just by smelling our food.

Fortunately, our food arrives, and my stomach only grumbles a little at the scent. I take small bites between fits of laughter as my sister inhales her food like a competitive eater with the clock running. She manages to shovel bits of baby food at my niece one-handed, keeping her daughter happy and her belly full.

Once our meal is finished and I’ve kept three-quarters of my sandwich and a handful of fries down, I pay the bill and we head back to the gym. “Have you guys discussed any wedding details yet?” my sister asks as I snuggle my niece.

“Not really. Chase just said he wanted whatever I wanted, and the sooner, the better,” I tell her.

Gwen barks out a laugh. “Figures. Chase has waited years to make you his; there’s no way he’s going to sit back and enjoy a long engagement.”

I glance her way. “What are you talking about?”

She gives me an appalled look. “Seriously? Why are you still playing dumb?”

Barking out a laugh, I reply, “I’m not playing dumb.”

“So you’re just dumb naturally?” Gwen can’t help but smile wide at her insult.

“You’re mean!” I holler as I open the door to the gym.

“I’m not mean, you big dummy!” She laughs. “I’m taking this baby girl home to take a nap. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I head to my office with a smile on my face and my food still in my stomach. Setting my purse in the cabinet, I let my mind drift to Chase, which in turn means my eyes drop to my left hand. Yeah, maybe I was a little dumb. I may not have realized his true feelings for me, but that was only because I was busy hiding my true feelings for him.

So maybe we’re both a little dumb.“Have you heard from him?” I whisper to Colton as I lie with Milo on the couch. He’s snuggled on my chest, his little fist clenching my finger as he sleeps.

Chase’s brother is sitting in the recliner, trying not to fall asleep. It was a long night with his son the night prior. Apparently, little Milo decided that 3:00 a.m. was the perfect time for a crib party, and the only other invitee was his daddy. Though, I will say Chase and I both woke up at one point or another. Colton did his best to keep quiet downstairs, but we still heard them.

“Naw,” he says, opening his eyes and glancing at me. The moment he sees his sleeping son, he smiles affectionately. “He should be here any minute.”

“Yeah,” I reply absently, my eyes bouncing back to the clock over the mantel. It’s almost eight thirty, and I haven’t heard from him, which is completely unlike Chase. Usually, he texts randomly throughout the day and calls me to keep him company on his ride home.

I slip my hand to my side where my cell phone sits and tap the screen, careful not to disturb Milo. There’s no message, no call, nothing. When the clock hit eight, I fought the urge to call him to see where he was. Maybe the assistant managers’ meeting ran long or they encountered trouble at the gym. Whatever the reason, I didn’t want to appear to be the needy fiancée.