“More and more every single day.”
After Viola takes a shower, she ends up falling asleep on the couch with Gryff. I don’t dare disturb her because I know how tired she gets. My parents are driving down to meet us for dinner tonight, which will be Viola’s first time seeing them in years. I told my mom over the phone that Viola was pregnant, and she’s ecstatic over the news.
My father is sicker than before, and my mom is still doing everything she can to keep him alive. I know she loves him, and I admire her strength. I don’t openly talk about it unless she gives me the impression she wants to, but tonight will be about new beginnings and the next chapter in our lives. As much as I look forward to this next year of our lives, I’m also enjoying every step of the journey along the way.
I peek at Viola once more before I step outside, needing to make sure she’s still asleep. I dial Courtney and make sure to keep my voice low just in case her enhanced hearing takes effect again.
“What’s up, boss?” She answers on the first ring.
“Viola’s asleep, so I wanted to go through the events for tonight one more time,” I say, pacing on the driveway.
“We’ve been over it five times!”
“Just humor me, Courtney!”
She laughs and lets out a loud sigh. “Fine. If that’s what will get me a raise…”
“A raise? We haven’t even opened the doors yet!”
“What can I say? My daddy taught me how to play hardball at a young age.”
I brush a nervous hand through my hair and mutter a few curse words. “Fine,” I agree through gritted teeth. “I’ll have Drew come twice a week to deliver lunch. Happy now?”
I can tell she’s smiling on the other end just by the high-pitched tone in her voice. “Yes, very. Now was that so hard?”
“I knew I’d regret calling you that day,” I mutter, knowing damn well she’ll hear me.
“And now you’re stuck with me forever. Get used to it, King.”
“Can we please just go through the plan one more time now?” I’m losing my patience, and she knows it, too.
“Of course. Whatever you say, boss.”
Chapter 19
Viola
I wake up to Gryff licking my face. He’s pressing on my bladder, and I’m two seconds away from peeing myself.
“Get down, buddy.” I push him slightly, and he jumps down, giving me the opportunity to roll off the couch. “Where’s Daddy?” I ask him as we walk down the too quiet hallway. “Travis?” I call out, but no one answers. “Hmm, weird.”
I use the bathroom and get myself something to drink. We should be leaving within the hour to meet up with his family, so I know he can’t be too far away. I dig into the fridge and grab an apple to hold me over until dinner. I glance around and see the newspaper lying on top of the kitchen table. I shuffle through it until the words Crawford Marketing grab my attention.
Well, well, well. Wouldn’t ya know? Little Miss Blondie got herself into a little bit of legal trouble. I can’t even feel sorry for someone like that. Karma’s a bitch, after all.
“Viola?” I hear Travis’s voice call out. I look behind me and see him all dressed up in a black suit and tie. I swallow, needing to control my breathing. He’s always looked amazing in suits, but tonight, something is different. He looks incredible. And happy.
“Where’d you go?” I ask.
“I had to run a couple of errands. What are you doing?”
“I just woke up, and the baby was hungry, so we found a snack,” I say as he wraps his arms around me, the baby bump putting more space between us than usual.
“I see that.” He dips his head and takes a bite of the apple. “We have to leave soon,” he reminds me.
“I know. I was just looking at a very interesting article in the paper.” I purse my lips.
“Yeah, nothing like bad press for one of the largest firms in the state.”
“Maybe that means Royalty Marketing will be the next best thing.” I grin, knowing he’s about to scold me.
“It’s King Marketing, stop trying to make Royalty Marketing happen!”
I burst out laughing at his Mean Girls reference. “Oh my God! Don’t make me laugh! I might pee!”
“So then I shouldn’t do this?” He brings his hands down and tickles my sides. He laughs harder the more I squirm and as much as I try to back out of his trap, he doesn’t let up.
“I see those chick flicks have really benefited you.”
He finally stops torturing me and pulls me in close. “It was the only way to feel close to you for those six months. But after Drew caught me crying alone in my room to The Notebook, he basically stripped me of my man card.”
“So, then is this the part where you ask me to slow dance in the rain and gaze into my eyes and say sweet nothings in my ear all night long?”
He chuckles, presses his lips to the shell of my ear, and whispers, “I told you I’m not like those guys in your romance books. I’ll say exactly what I want, and what I want is to bend you over this kitchen table and fuck you until you count to ten. Or until the table breaks, whichever happens first.” I feel his cocky smirk against my neck, but I know he’s dead serious.
“If our baby comes out swearing filthy words, I know who’s to blame.”
“I’ll plead the fifth.” He leans down and kisses my mouth.
I wrap my arms around him and pull him closer. “How did this happen?” I ask, breaking the kiss but staying pressed against him. “How could I leave you for six months? Why did you wait for me?”
The emotions I feel for Travis are becoming too much for me to handle. They’re overflowing, and I have been feeling more and more guilty for what I’ve put him through. Everything that happened between us, from being kids to teenagers, to where we are now. Some days I wake up and can’t understand how we made it here.
“Why are you crying, princess?” He rubs his thumb over my cheek and catches the tears.
I shrug because I know the words won’t come out right.
“Everything that happened needed to happen so we could make it to where we are right now. Happy, in love, about to have a baby…” He smiles so wide that it makes me start tearing up all over again. “I can’t even be mad how it went down because look how things ended up, princess. You, me, our baby. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“You truly are perfect, Travis King. Do you know that?” I wipe away the rest of my tears and smile up at him, admiring how good he looks tonight.
“Only when I have my other half does it feel like my life is perfect, and that’s only thanks to you.” He tilts up my chin and presses his lips to mine once again. Damn him. I could stay here with him all day, and never tire of the way he kisses me.
“I have to finish getting ready,” I groan against his lips. “I don’t want to show up looking like a bloated, fat whale.” I make a face as I step away, and he pats me on the ass to hurry it up.
Once I’m dressed, my hair is curled, and my makeup is done, I’m nearly out of breath. That took more energy than I anticipated, and now I’m ready for another nap.