They just need to know I’m happy and fulfilled and managing my stress as best I can. Stress is easier to shoulder with my new built-in family.
I finish curling the last of my hair that has grown freakishly fast the last few weeks and glance down at Dakota’s stunning floor-length gown. “Did you come through the house? Is everyone alive up there?”
Dakota hands a champagne flute to me and sips hers gingerly. “It’s chaos up there. You were smart to get ready out here.”
I nod and set my glass down on the bathroom counter. “Norah and her crew needed the Fletchpad more than I did. And her mother is kind of scary.”
“I gathered that.” Dakota laughs and takes another sip before adding, “It was really sweet of Kate to invite me to Dean and Norah’s wedding, though. This is going to be fun!”
“Kate is the best,” I reply honestly. The three of us have all really hit it off with the work we’re doing together for the bookstore, and I’m excited that Dakota is officially in the mix with all Max’s friends.
“And Norah is a stunning bride,” Dakota says with wide eyes. “I caught a glimpse of her when Max walked me through the house. She’s the most beautiful pregnant bride I’ve ever seen. Wedding photos and maternity photos all in one go. Talk about a two for one!”
Goose bumps erupt all over my body as I bite my lip and press a hand to my stomach at the mention of Norah’s belly.
“What?” Dakota asks, gaping at my hand pressed to my abdomen. She shifts her eyes to my un-touched champagne. “No fucking way.”
“It’s early,” I confess with a cringe.
“You are not knocked up. No way!” Dakota exclaims.
I press my finger to my lips. “Keep your voice down. There are wedding guests outside!”
Dakota sets her champagne down, props her hands on her hips, and bends over. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“I’ve been sick enough for us both already,” I respond with a smirk. When has vomiting ever made me happy?
Oh…when it means a baby is growing inside me.
“How are you pregnant, Cozy?”
I shrug sheepishly. “Usually, it’s when a man lays down in bed with a woman and—”
“Shut up, you know what I mean!” she snipes, still clearly reeling at this new information. “I mean…was this planned?”
I chew my lip nervously. “Kind of? I mean…not fully. I went off birth control a few weeks ago because I read some crazy story about how it can take months to get pregnant after being on the pill for so many years. Max has made it very clear that he wants a baby, and you know…he’s older than me, and this is a subject we actually both fully agree on. So I went off the pill just to give my body time to adjust and…yeah…the rest is a bit more graphic, but I can share it if you really want me to.”
“Jesus,” Dakota hisses. “You’re my best friend, and you’re marrying a millionaire and having his baby! Suddenly, my life looks really fucking boring.”
“Shut up,” I reply with a laugh. “You have stuff going on. Have you made any decisions about that old house you want to buy?”
“No…and I’m not going to,” Dakota harumphs and then shakes her head and stands up straight. “Can we try that whole thing again?”
“What whole thing?”
“Where you tell me you’re pregnant and happy and I say congratulations and hug the shit out of you because I am really happy for you?”
She rushes over and wraps me in her arms. “I really am happy for you, Cozy. God, this is so exciting. I’m going to be an aunt!”
“Hell yes, you are!”
“What did Max say?”
“I haven’t told him yet,” I answer, biting my lip. “I only just found out this morning, and with all the wedding setup, there hasn’t been a moment to even talk to him.”
As if on cue, Max knocks on the door of the tiny house and walks in. “Everyone decent in here?”
“Yes,” I call out over Dakota’s shoulder.
Her eyes go wide, and she turns around to scurry out of the bathroom, leaving me alone to have a tiny moment of freaking the fuck out. There’s wanting a baby, and there’s being pregnant with a baby. Two very different things. I could tell a couple of weeks ago something was changing in my body because my breasts hurt like a bitch when Max groped them during sex. I screamed out in pain, which he interpreted as good pain, but it was pretty much then that I thought something was up.
I reach over and grab the pregnancy test I stashed in the mirrored cabinet and tuck it down my cleavage. Now or never, Cozy.
“Is my girl almost ready? They’re starting to seat the guests,” I hear Max ask Dakota as I step out of the bathroom.
My steps falter when I take in Max in a classic black tux. His blond hair is swept off to one side, and his chin is freshly shaved, revealing that perfect chiseled jaw of his. Total groom vibes.
“Cozy, you look stunning,” Max says, his eyes raking over my red strapless dress in a way that makes my thighs squeeze with need.
“I’ll see you guys out there,” Dakota peals and gives me a hearty thumbs-up before she slips out the door to join the guests all congregating in the white chairs placed down by the beach.
I stop beside the ladder, gripping it for balance as I buckle beneath the heated look in Max’s eyes. I know that look.
“We have a few minutes before we need to be seated,” his husky voice utters as he stalks toward me like a lion approaching its prey.
“Where’s Everly?” I ask, my nipples chafing as they stiffen under my dress at just the idea of Max’s hands on me.
“She’s helping Josh and Lynsey with Julianna.” He takes another step toward me.
I shift nervously and glance out the windows for any sign of life. “Max, people can see inside.”
“Everyone’s down by the creek,” he replies with a wicked glint in his eye. “I’ll be quick. I won’t even take your dress off.”
He backs me up against the kitchen counter, and his lips capture mine as my entire body alights with desire that’s so intense, I hear myself moaning into his mouth. I’m so weak.
Seriously, is this a pregnancy thing? Because I feel like I could come any second already.
I bite my lip and grip his shoulders harshly as his hand steals under my dress and swipes inside my panties.
“Fuck, Cozy. You’re soaked.” His voice is guttural. “How long have you been aching for me like this?”
“Oh, God,” I cry out, feeling like a live wire that will trip at any second. “Max, I need you.”
“Jesus,” he husks, his brow furrowed curiously at me as he unbuckles his pants. “I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Hurry, Max,” I beg, my tone breathless.
He grips my thighs and hoists me up on the counter before thrusting deep inside me.
“Oh, my God,” I moan into his ear, gripping the back of his neck.
“Fuck me, sweet cheeks. You feel like goddamn heaven.” He pulls out and thrusts back in, his eyes finding mine. “This is why I can’t control myself around you. You always feel so fucking good,” he says, pumping into me between each and every word.