Aria waves her hand dismissively. “Nope, I don’t like that one either.”
“I hate this whole thing. I’m going to find a top and some pregnancy jeans to wear.” Just as I express this, Riley and Sasha come over carrying a long flowing gown.
“We found the pregnancy section, Steph! Look at this emerald green number. It has a zip in the back for easy removal, and it’s made of stretchy fabric, too.” She dangles the dress in front of me. It’s gorgeous—Emerald green, glittery, with spaghetti straps.
“I love it.”
“Jake is going to rip it to shreds.” Aria laughs as I disappear into the changing room. I try on the dress, and to my surprise, it’s a perfect fit. I’m in love with it. Stepping out into the room, I hear gasps of “wow” and “stunning”. That settles it. I’m buying the dress.
I change and head up to the counter with the girls to buy my date outfit. I’m surprised when the sales assistant who serves me tells me that the dress is on sale: thirty dollars down from one hundred.
Bonus!
“Are we all going back to your place, Aria?” Riley asks.
“I have to, my car is parked there, and we still have to do the favour bags and think about games for the baby shower,” I say.
“Aria and Simon’s place it is. I’ll get James to pick me up there,” Riley says.
I collect my receipt and the bag with the dress; then we make our way back to Aria and Simon’s house.
Aria has decided she wants a gender-neutral party. They want something where everyone can come and celebrate the birth of their child with them.
Sasha and Riley are stuffing the last of the favour boxes when I get up to make myself a hot drink and find myself daydreaming about Jake. He said he was going out with Toby, Simon and James today to help them pick up the baby furniture for Aria and Simon’s baby.
I wonder if he’ll look around for anything for our little one.
Just then, I hear noise coming from inside the garage, and voices trail down the hall.
“Babe, we got the furniture. The guys have volunteered their time to help me put it together,” Simon announces as he walks into the room.
“Oh, really? Are we being paid for our hours?” James asks.
Simon chuckles. “I already pay you.”
“We’re doing it because it’s for Aria,” Toby says.
Jake nods at him and walks over to me. He’s holding a gift bag in his hand which he hands to me.
“Jake, what is this?”
“I saw it today while out shopping with Simon and thought you’d like it.”
“That’s so sweet, but it’s not for me, is it?”
He shakes his head. “It’s for our daughter.”
Our daughter.
Hearing those words roll off his tongue is the sweetest thing in the world. Opening the gift, I find a cute onesie that reads ‘I’m adorable just like my mummy’.
“This is gorgeous, Jake,” I gush and lean up to kiss him on the cheek.
He slides his arms around me and leans down. His lips brush my earlobe. “I can’t wait to take you out to dinner.”
“Me either. I got a new dress for it.”
He pulls back to stare into my eyes and arches an eyebrow. “Is it anything like the one you wore to Toby and Sasha’s engagement party?”
“I’m not telling.” I wink at him. “I love the outfit.”
He beams at me. “Can we talk about some stuff? Like furniture, colours, things you want? I want to start buying more than just clothes.”
“Jake, I’m only meant to be living with Toby and Sasha temporarily.”
“I know. That’s something else I want to talk about.”
“Can we have our first date first?” I ask.
He nods. “Sure. Just promise me we will talk.”
“I promise.”
He leans down, placing a kiss on my lips. “Good girl.”
“Come on, lover boy. Let’s go help Simon with the furniture for the baby’s room.”
He, Toby, Simon and James disappear while I make my way into the lounge with my coffee.
“Are you okay?” Aria asks.
“Yeah, but Jake and I need to have a serious talk at some stage. I can’t live with Toby and Sasha forever, and I need somewhere to raise this baby.”
Aria looks at me with a stern look. “You think Jake will kick you out of the house? You’re mistaken. He won’t let his child and her mother have nowhere to go. If I’m not mistaken, I believe my dear twin brother definitely wants a future with you.”
“Do you think he’s going to ask me to stay?”
“I do. I’m also pretty sure he’s ready to come home.”
“I’ll ask him next week after our date.”
I need him next to me at night. He’s stayed the last two nights at the house and in bed with me. I find that when he has a nightmare, all I need to do is wrap my arms around him, and he calms instantly.
Jake is my forever. I just need to get the courage to tell him that.
You almost did a few nights ago.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jake
Operation romance Stephanie is a go!
I’m sitting at my desk, finishing some notes from today when my phone buzzes beside me. I really hope it’s not my boss asking me to work late like he has all week. I’ve got plans with my girl tonight, and I’m not wasting time sitting here.
I’ve spent the last week, on my lunch breaks, organising to spoil Stephanie tonight. I’ve bought her flowers, jewellery and even a bottle of sparkling grape juice. I want her to feel special and see that I’m the man for her.
Nights have been the hardest this week as I haven’t slept next to Stephanie. I’ve woken several times, tossing and turning in my bed on the base. Hell, I’ve almost fallen out at one point. Thinking of Stephanie calms me, but it’s not the same as having her arms wrapped around me, holding me tight and comforting me.
Picking up my phone, I slide my finger to unlock the screen, then find Stephanie’s name in my message app. Opening the latest message, I see a photo of her in her new emerald green dress. It’s obviously made for pregnancy, and it looks damn good on her. It’s a plunging neckline, stopping in a ‘V’ at her cleavage. I’m disappointed the dress blocks any more of my view of her gorgeous body, however. It hugs her curves in all the right places. Pregnancy definitely suits her, and it’s a real turn-on for me.
I’ve got to keep my head on straight; I can’t think about sex right now.
Tonight isn’t about sex, it’s about us being together as a couple, but I’m certainly not going to turn down sex if she wants it.
Shifting in my seat, trying to relieve the ache in my cock, my phone buzzes again telling me she’s sent me another message.
Steph: How do I look?
Me: Good enough to eat. How about we skip dinner? I want dessert.
Steph: I don’t think so, handsome. You promised me a proper date.
Me: I’m teasing, sugar. See you at 7.
Steph: Don’t be late.
I smile as I glance at my watch and file my last note away, then shut down all the programs on my computer. I turn off my computer and pull on my jacket.