“They already like you,” Amanda giggled. “They love you, just like I do. Well… not quite like I do, but you get the picture.”
Parker made a noise that said he wasn’t convinced and draped an arm across the back of her chair, tracing his thumb back and forth across her bare shoulder.
Her mother had chosen a lovely orange color to fit her autumn wedding, but the slim-fit strapless style was making her nervous. She tugged on the neckline again, trying to pull it up.
“Stop fidgeting with your dress. You look perfect,” Parker said, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles.
“Oh, I know. I look too good. I’m practically falling out of this,” Amanda said quietly. “And I swear to God, I put the dress on this morning and thought for sure everyone would be able to tell.”
“Amanda, you look beautiful. Nobody is going to notice.”
“I just feel like my boobs are huge,” she whined.
“They’re a little bigger, but not much.” She gave him a skeptical look, but he just smiled at her, mischief in his eyes. “Trust me, I’m an expert on the subject.”
His face went serious and he looked at her tenderly. “And don’t worry. As soon as your parents get back from their trip, we’ll tell them, okay? Then we won’t have to keep it a secret anymore.”
“I know. I’m just… so happy,” Amanda said, her voice cracking. “I want to tell everyone, all of the time.”
Parker bent down and kissed her on the lips, being very careful not to smear her lipstick, which she appreciated. “How do you think I feel? If anything is going to earn me extra points with your folks is telling them I’m giving them a grandbaby.”
“What about me?” Amanda hissed. “I’m doing most of the work. I hardly think it’s fair for you to take all the credit.”
“Yeah, but they already love you. You don’t need brownie points,” Jackson said with a frown.
“One day, Parker Hanson, I’m going to convince you that you are perfectly loveable just the way you are and that you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Except me, that is.” She gave him a big grin and he laughed. A big, genuine, from the belly laugh.
It was still her favorite sound. It also happened to draw quite a bit of attention from the others at her table. Connor and Jackson looked vaguely stunned and Alexandra just smiled.
She knew how they felt. She wasn’t quite used to it herself, but the change in him was amazing. He was still anti-social and could be broody at times, but for the most part, he talked more, and he laughed a lot.
She couldn’t blame him since she did the same. It was amazing how quickly her life had gone from lonely and sad to filled with love and excitement. All because of the man beside her.
A lot had happened in the last three months and they were making plans for a lot more, including the new addition they were making to the family.
She was putting in notice at the restaurant, for one. She loved her profession but hated her job. She and Parker had talked about it and decided that she really ought to start trying to make her dream of a bakery come true.
After the baby was born and she’d had some time with him or her, she would put together a pitch and a business plan and try to get some capital to buy the equipment she would need and find a storefront to rent.
She was looking forward to working for herself and getting to do what she loved. Most importantly she was looking forward to her and Parker and their little bean becoming a family.
“You want to dance?” Parker asked, standing up and stretching out his hand.
“I would love to,” Amanda said with a smile. “But, I have a better idea.” She laughed as she dragged Parker not to the dancefloor, but toward the ladies’ room.
“Where are we going, Princess,” Parker asked, his voice a low growl.
“To the bathroom,” Amanda said innocently.
“You realize that’s how we got into this situation,” he said.
“Well, it’s not like I’m going to get more pregnant,” Amanda pointed out. “Besides, I have a new tattoo I want to show you.”
“You better fucking not,” Parker replied, a familiar edge to his voice that made her pulse race.
“You better check, just to be sure.”
Once they were through the door and found the room empty, Thank God, Parker kissed her hard, pressing her back against the wall as his mouth did magical things to her, lipstick be damned.
“I love you. Have I told you that?” He whispered as he hiked her skirt up over her hips.
“Tell me again,” she replied with a grin.
About The Author
Rianna Campbell
Wife, mother, and Tik Tok enthusiast, Rianna Campbell lives with her supportive husband, amazing daughter, and a bunch of furry friends in Upstate New York. When she isn't writing, she loves to paint and crochet, play board games of all varieties, and (of course) read.
A self-proclaimed "huge nerd," she likes to add references to all her favorite fandoms in her books. See if you can find them all.
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