Not exactly my finest moment. I should have said yes and jumped into his arms, kissing him like I’d been wanting to do all day.
Nope. Not me. I had to be the dumbass who asked if he was sure if he wanted to marry me still.
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. I wanted to marry you that day and every day since. There’s not a moment, even when I was furious at you, angry beyond belief, that I didn’t want to marry you. When I saw the ring you were wearing in Denver, I freaked out. Jealousy spread through my veins like a disease. So, yes, Chloe I want to marry you. I always have. I always will. You are the only one for me. I’ve known that since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Coming to my senses, I pounced, pushing Wyatt to the floor and smashing my lips to his.
We’ve been engaged for eight weeks and two days. Since then, he insisted on buying me a different ring, not that I needed one. Lola wears my other ring on a necklace she refuses to take off except to bathe.
Addy and I have been talking wedding details lately, but nothing is set in stone. All I know is that I want to have it at our house. The pond holds more memories than anyone could possibly fathom. It’s a part of our past, our future, and everything in between.
“Okay,” she declares, coming to a stop on the bottom step. “Now I’m ready.”
“It’s about time,” I tease.
“What’s the rush? We still have a week until we open. Plenty of time to get stuff done.”
“They’re putting the name on the front window this morning and I want to be there to see it,” I say, preparing for her to freak out.
She’s silent and when I turn around, she’s running back up the stairs. I call after her, but she doesn’t stop. When I reach the top of the stairs, I find her bent over the toilet, puking.
“Are you okay?” I ask once she seems to be finished.
“Yeah. I have no idea where that came from. I feel fine.” Tilting my head to the side, I smile at Addy and shake my head. “What?”
“You know what,” I reply.
“No, seriously, what?”
“You’re pregnant, Addy.”
“The hell I am. There’s no way in hell.”
“Oh, I’m sure you know there’s a way. I’m sure you’ve ‘practiced’ making little Addison’s a lot since you and Jones have moved in together.”
“You know what I mean. We’re careful. I haven’t missed my period or anything.”
“Humor me and take a test later. After they unveil the new storefront. If I’m wrong, I owe you a bottle of wine. If I’m right, you owe me a home cooked meal.”
“Deal,” she says, extending her hand. Pulling her to a standing position, Addy lurches forward and pukes in the toilet again.
“I was thinking pot roast and maybe apple pie for dessert, in case you were wondering.”
“Remind me why we’re friends again,” she says as she wipes her mouth.
“Because you love me and you were there for me when I was in your shoes, the same way I’ll be here for you.”
The window decal is already in place by the time we get to the store. The contractors are waiting for us to arrive to reveal it. As soon as both Addy and I are standing in front of the window, the paper is removed, leaving behind only our logo in bright blue and teal letters.
Hometown Happenings
Live. Local. Fun.
Clapping my hands vigorously, Addy pats me on the back.
“This is going to be great, Chloe. I’m so proud of you.”
“You too, partner.”
“I’m a silent partner. This is all you. I can help with the financials and schematics, scheduling and graphics. You are the people person, the planner, the face.”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t have done it without you. What could be better? Me, you, little babies running around the office while we work.”
“Um, that’s still to be confirmed.”
“If you say so,” I tease.
“Any new leads?” she asks as we walk inside to see how much progress has been made in the last few days.
“No. I figure we’ll plan the wedding and use that as a prime example of our work. I don’t want to focus on big events, I’d rather do smaller things, bring the little guy into the spotlight. I was thinking maybe Wyatt could have an open mic night and we could promote that and hopefully pick a few of the artists to promote later on. It’ll be slow to start, but that’s okay. It’s not like we need the money.”
“Hey, you may not need the money, but my savings account is being drained by that damn house.”
“Shall we head to the pharmacy and then have lunch with the guys? I’ll buy,” I offer, hearing her concerns.
Nodding, Addy and I spend a few more minutes checking the office out and I take a minute to share my concerns with the contractor while Addy runs across the street to pick up a test.
Putting myself in her shoes, I can see the fear on her face. She’s not ready for this, but you never really are. You put on a brave face and move forward, just like with everything in life that you’re unsure of. She’ll be okay, she has Jones. She doesn’t know it yet, but there will be more than one wedding to plan on our agenda.
“Your mom wanted to know if this was for you,” Addy laughs as she climbs into the passenger seat.
“What?”
“She was in line in behind me, and I couldn’t hide it quickly enough,” she replies, shaking the plastic bag in my face.
“Please tell me you didn’t lie to her.” Addy is a horrible liar. Even so, my mother would overlook the strain that comes over Addy’s face when she lies if that meant I was potentially pregnant.
“Sorry. I wasn’t about to tell her it was for me.” Shrugging her shoulders, Addy shoves the bag in her purse, zipping it closed.
“Shit. She’s going to call me later and want to talk about a baby shower now. It’s bad enough with her wanting to plan the wedding.”
“Just tell her it was negative. She’ll never know the difference.”
Nodding, she has a point. But what she doesn’t know, is that I’ve already taken a pregnancy test this week and if Addy is pregnant like I think she is, we’ll be raising babies together in about nine months. So, no, I can’t lie to my mother.
After Wyatt proposed, and things settled down at the house, I went to see my parents. They deserved to know I was back, that Wyatt and I were together. After a long discussion, my father retreated to his office and returned with only a piece of paper in his hands. On it, two numbers.
The first was the account number for my trust fund. I knew I had one, but never thought much about it. I was given permission to access it because I was getting married.
The second was Lola’s trust fund. She’ll be able to access hers when she turns twenty-five years old, not a moment sooner. It needs to grow and mature, just like she does, before she has access to that kind of money.
“So,” I say, changing the subject as I flip a U-turn and head for the bar. “Lunch?”
“Yes, but you need to hurry. I have to pee.”
Of course she does. Because she’s nervous. Once she pees on that stick, her life is going to change, just like mine did. It’ll be hard at first, but it’s worth it. Every single second.
When Addy walks out of the bathroom stall, her face shocked at what she’s staring at, I smile.
“It’s going to be all right,” I promise her.
“Are you sure? I’m not ready for this and Adam… oh my God. What am I going to tell him? He’s going to freak out.” Closing her eyes, Addy rests her head against the wall and clutches her belly. She’s worried about Jones and I’m worried about her.
“I think he’ll be fine. But do me a favor and wait until tonight. When you’re alone.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me.”
My words do nothing to calm her. I want to tell her the truth, to reassure her that things will be okay, but I can’t. I promised I would keep this secret. Plus, Jones’s pl
an to propose at our house tonight, after dinner, will be perfect. Then Addy won’t think he’s asking because she’s pregnant.
“Oh, and Addy?” I say as I step into the hall.
“Yeah?” she asks, turning to face me just before she reaches the door.
“I’m pregnant too.”
Wyatt and I didn’t want to wait to start growing our family. We didn’t want to waste another moment not living the dreams we had. We have the house, we’re getting married, and our family will continue to grow.
Life is what you make it.
It may not be a perfect love story, but it’s ours, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Imperfect Love Story: New Beginnings
5… The number of guys I’ve dated since college.
4 … The number of times I knew it wouldn’t work out.
3… The number of years I had given up on finding someone to share my life with.
2… The number of months since I fell in love.
1… The number of men who have the power to destroy my heart.
From the moment I first laid eyes on Adam, I knew I was in trouble. There was a tension between us, a chemistry I couldn’t deny. The way he was looking at me, as if he could see straight into my soul, sent my heart into overdrive.
After an hour together, I knew. He was the one. The one who would make me want to change everything.
And he did.
His love and two tiny pink lines were about to change my entire life.
Coming July 26, 2018
PREORDER
Rumors Series
Gossip in the break room.
Whispers in the hallway.
Rumors spread like wildfire through Dixon Advertising. Who’s sleeping with who? Who’s getting divorced? Who’s expecting?
Find out which rumors are fact and which are fiction.
6 rumors
5 engagements
4 weddings
3 babies
2 cheaters
1 source
And they all live happily ever after… or do they?
Available Now!
www.books2read.com/Rumors
About the Author
Rachael Brownell is an award-winning author of both young-adult and new-adult romance. She resides in the midwest with her husband, son and their fur-babies. To learn more about Rachael and her books, follow her on social media or sign up for her monthly newsletter.
For more information…
www.AuthorRachaelBrownell.com
[email protected]
Also by Rachael Brownell
Rumors Series
Rumors: Emerson & Ryder
Rumors: Justine & Devon
Rumors: Angela & Tyler
Rumors: Megan & Vincent
Rumors: Brianna & Hunter
Rumors: Allison & Zane
Imperfect Love Duet
Imperfect Love Story
Imperfect Love Story: New Beginnings
Stand-alone Novels
Dark Bishop
Dear Maggie
Lucky 13
Waiting on Someday
Always in My Heart
Take A Gamble
Chasing Fate
Sticks & Stones
Imperfect Love Story Page 18