Holding You Close (Ex-Con Duet 4)

Since finding out we’re pregnant, we’ve tried to include Owen in all the excitement and house planning, but he hasn’t seemed interested. I know a lot of changes are happening at once, but I hoped he’d come around by now and would want to be a part of it.

The following morning, I stay in bed later than usual and catch up on sleep. So I can have a peaceful morning to myself, Noah takes Owen to the new house with him. I hope they’ll be able to bond or at least have a conversation that consists of more than one-word answers. Noah’s trying so hard not to overstep his boundaries while still wanting to be the role model Owen craves. I never seriously dated anyone after Gabe, so I didn’t know what to expect when I finally did. I hadn’t anticipated that Owen would feel like Noah was trying to replace his dad. I can’t help but feel guilty about not only adding a man to our lives but also two siblings.

Everleigh: You should come shop for some maternity clothes before the end of my shift. Then we can go to the Coffee Palace together!

I read her text after inhaling a big bowl of pasta and feel more bloated than ever.

Katie: Hope you have extra, extra, extra large. I look like a whale.

Everleigh: We have everything from petite to whale size ;-)

Katie: Har har. Fine, I’ll come around four.

Everleigh: Perfect!

After a shower, I squeeze into a pair of maternity shorts that won’t last another week. It’s almost the middle of July and hot as hell, so I’m extra miserable. Finding a shirt that doesn’t squeeze my belly or my breasts is another annoying task.

Once I finally find something that doesn’t show off everything and doesn’t suffocate me, I put a headband in my hair to keep it off my face. It’s not long enough for a ponytail without loose strays falling, so I opt for the next best thing.

When I’m satisfied with my makeup, I grab my purse, slip on my shoes, and drive to Everleigh’s boutique, Ever After. After my nap, I was bored, so I got ready and arrived thirty minutes early.

“Katie!” she squeals the moment I walk through the doors. “You look so cute!”

She rushes over and hugs me. “If cute means swollen and chubby, then thank you.”

“You’re being silly. This baby bump is adorable!” She rubs her palms over the fabric of my shirt. “Any kicking?”

“Not right now. Usually only when I’m exhausted and trying to sleep,” I muse. It’s too early to feel any kicking, but things seem to be happening sooner since this is my second pregnancy.

“Your belly popped out since the last time I saw you,” she says as we walk around.

“Sure did. Though I don’t look huge yet, I feel huge.”

“Well, you aren’t twenty years old having a baby. You’re thirty-two having twins. Your body isn’t going to respond to pregnancy the same way,” she says.

“Well, aren’t you the expert,” I tease.

“I’m around a lot of pregnant women.” She shrugs. “Plus, with Gemma’s daily updates, I feel like I’ve gone through her pregnancy myself.”

We both laugh as I search through the maternity racks. “You better hurry up if you want our kids to be around the same age.”

“I haven’t found a man worthy of being the father to my baby. I’m getting old, though, so maybe I should host a bachelor auction.”

“Highest bidder gets to rent out your uterus?” I snort.

“Ha! No, it’d be the best applicant. Must have a good job, not living with his mother or ex-girlfriend…”

I arch a brow, wondering if she’s already experienced these circumstances.

She continues, “Must have his own vehicle and be somewhat mentally stable.”

“Somewhat? Sounds like you have some high standards,” I taunt, chuckling at her list. “Though if you’re gonna go through the work of having an auction, you might as well make sure you’re getting the best out there.”

“Either that or I’m going to a sperm bank. Then I can be as picky as I want without having to deal with a man’s bullshit.”

Everleigh chooses at least a dozen items for me to try on. I end up buying three tops and bottoms even though I’ll be lucky if they fit me for more than six weeks.

“Hey, Gemma,” Everleigh greets.

“Are you having a shopping day without me?” she immediately scolds.

Gemma’s been working part-time at the boutique ever since Jerry retired, but she’s down to only once a week since the gym opened.

“No, I stopped in early before Everleigh and I met for coffee. I’m out of cute things to wear,” I explain.

“Well, we do have the best maternity clothes. Also, I’m insulted y’all planned a coffee date on the one night I work.” She pouts with her hands on her hips.

“It’s a coffee date to plan your baby shower,” Everleigh tells her. “So that means you can’t be there.”