Perhaps she would mosey over now that everyone was getting up and walking around.
“Thank you, guys, for all your help.” Stef pulled them each in for a hug. “It made today go so smoothly. I can’t believe the shower is over and the wedding is less than six weeks away.”
Abby smiled. “Given how fast this past month went, your wedding will be here before you know it.”
It was already the last week of February. Abby had no idea where the month had gone.
Time flies when you’re having fun.
And she’d certainly been having a lot of fun this month. Cooper made sure of that. Her heart skipped a beat just thinking of the incredible man. She was so lucky to have him in her life.
Stef inhaled. “I know. I can’t wait.”
Abby’s smile turned into another yawn. She covered her mouth then apologized. “Sorry. Can’t stop yawning today.”
“Some hunky guy keeping you up late?” Mel wiggled her brows.
Heat seeped into Abby’s face as she nodded. “Something like that.”
More like woke her up early.
She’d discovered over the past four weeks that Cooper liked to get up at five in the morning to run on the beach. Abby preferred to roll over and sleep another two hours, or at the very least, an hour and a half.
But the man could be very persuasive…and very giving.
Heat funneled through her body, and she hid the resulting tremor by rising to her feet. “There’s some chocolate over there with my name on it.”
“Mine, too,” Rylee said, falling into step next to her, while Stef mingled, and Mel organized the gifts for better packing in Mac’s truck when he arrived in a half hour.
After they loaded their plates, they made their way back to their now vacant table and sat down.
Her friend was on her second cream puff when she leaned closer. “You okay?”
Abby blinked. “Yeah, why?”
Did she look bad?
“Well, you took two strawberries, four raspberries—without dipping them in chocolate—and walked right past your favorite peanut butter-filled chocolate cupcakes that Loni made.”
Abby shrugged. “I know. It’s weird. I thought I wanted chocolate, but when I got to the table, only the fruit looked good.”
Her friend nodded. “I usually crave it more when it’s that time of the month.”
“Me, too.” She ate her fruit, then stilled.
Oh boy.
She dug her phone out of her purse slung on her chair and checked her app. Oh boy, indeed. She was late.
By over a week.
“What’s wrong?” Concern darkened Rylee’s gaze.
Abby opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Uh…do you think you can give me a ride home? I know I came with Mel, but she’s on gift duty.”
“Yeah, sure, no problem.” Rylee popped the last bite of her cream puff into her mouth, then wiped her hands on a napkin and stood.
She rose to her feet and set a hand on Rylee’s arm. “It won’t be rude if we leave so soon, will it?”
“No.” Her shook her head. “People have already started to go. What’s wrong? Don’t you feel well?”
Abby didn’t know what she felt. Panic. Shock. Nauseous. Dumbfounded. Those worked.
She inhaled then exhaled and forced her pulse to slow down. “I’ll explain in the car.”
Bless her friend, she dropped the subject and handled the others, telling Mel she was taking her home since she had to stop in at work anyway to check on something.
Within six minutes, they’d said their goodbyes and were on their way back to town.
“So…what’s going on?” Rylee glanced sideways at her. “I was right. You don’t feel well.”
She shook her head. “No. I feel okay. Just tired. But…when we were talking, I realized something.”
“What?” Rylee glanced at her again.
“That I’m late.”
“For what?” Rylee asked. “Did you and Cooper have somewhere to go?”
She snickered, and it sounded nervous to her ears because she was more than a little nervous and a whole lot of shocked to be having this conversation. “No. He’s coming over tonight for dinner.” They spent Sunday nights at her place, and he got takeout for them at the Pub. The rest of the week, they played it by ear. She smiled. But they always spent the night together. And apparently that’s what led to this conversation. “What I meant was that I’m late. Late.”
Rylee frowned then her eyes widened. “Oh!” She glanced in her rearview then pulled the car over and shoved it in park. Thank goodness they were on a deserted road. “You’re pregnant?”
“I don’t know.” She blew out a breath and lifted her hands. “I don’t know how…I mean I know how, but I’m on the pill and we’ve never had unprotected sex.”
It made no sense.
“Nothing’s foolproof.” Rylee shrugged “Condom could’ve ripped.”
Or been too small…
Her heart lurched, remembering their first night together and the condom Cooper had gotten from the Pub.
“Maybe your cycle’s just off,” Rylee said. “Nerves can sometimes do that and well, you were stressing about Carter earlier this month.”
“True. Maybe that’s all it is.”
“Either way, we’re going to go get you a test.” Rylee put the car back in drive and continued to town. “A few tests, just to be sure there are no false readings.”
Abby nodded, her stomach fluttering, and it didn’t stop, even after they arrived at her apartment, she’d taken the three tests she’d purchased at the local pharmacy.
Maybe it would…once she read the results.
Her stomach fluttered and chest tightened just thinking about it.
The alarm blared on her phone. She shut it off and stared at her phone.
“I don’t think the results from the test are on there, Abs.” Rylee sat next to her on the bed and squeezed her hand. “Although, someone will probably design one like that in the future.”
Abby laughed. “Yeah, like my brother.”
The smile disappeared from her face as soon as the words left her mouth.
How was he going to react if she was pregnant? Cooper’s relationship with Carter hadn’t changed at all this past month, as least not that Abby could tell. But would it if she wound up pregnant? It better not.
This was her life, not his. This concerned her and Cooper.
“Okay, let’s not travel down that road unless we have to.” Rylee squeezed her hand again. “It’s time you found out what road you are on. And whichever one it is, you know you’re going to be just fine, right?”
She nodded and even smiled. “Yeah. I know.”
It wasn’t the end of the world. Just a change of lifestyle or maybe no change at all.
“Do you want me to go in with you?” Rylee asked.
Abby shook her head. “No. I’d like to do it alone.” She pulled her friend in for a hug. “Thanks. I really appreciate all you did for me today and for waiting with me now.”
“Of course.” Rylee hugged her back. “You’d do the same for me.”
“Absolutely.” She gave her friend one last squeeze then released her to head into her bathroom to read the results of the tests set out on the countertop. With her heart pounding hard in her chest, Abby inhaled and glanced at the tests. All three had the same result.
She was going to have a baby.
Chapter Thirteen
Abby wasn’t sure how long she stood there staring at the results, wondering if all three could be wrong.
“You okay?” Rylee asked, from the doorway. “You’ve been in here a few minutes.”
“I’m okay,” she replied turning to face her friend. “I’m also pregnant.”
Rylee nodded. “I figured as much when you didn’t return, and with how tired you’ve been lately. The glowing. The loss of interest in chocolate. That’s not normal for you.” She walked over and pu
t her arm around Abby. “It was the real dead giveaway.”
Abby smiled. “True, Ms. Hotshot investigator.”
She should’ve seen it but had chalked the tiredness up to her lack of sleep and the glow to Cooper because he made her happy.
Would he be happy now?
“What’s going on in that mind of yours?” Ryle frowned, her arm still draped around Abby. “You stiffened up.”
She sighed. “I’m just a little freaked out because Cooper and I haven’t been dating long.”
Rylee squeezed her shoulder. “But he adores you, and I’ve seen him with Connor’s kids. He’s a natural.”
He was pretty great with them, so he had to like kids. Right?
“True.” Relief washed through her, removing the stiffness from her body. She yawned.
Rylee chuckled. “Think maybe you might want to add a nap to your daily routine. Starting now. I’m going to head out and let you rest.”
“Thanks for everything.” She hugged her friend again.
“Anytime.” Her friend smiled. “Good luck with Cooper. You can tell me about it on the way to Houston tomorrow. If you’re still going.”
Nodding, she walked her friend to the door. “Yeah, I’m still going. I need to pick up my supplies. Thanks for giving me a ride.”
“I was heading there anyway to meet with Lyndsey’s friend Emily, from the ASPCA,” Rylee said. “It’ll be nice to have company on the hour drive.”
“Yeah.” She found her ride ran a little boring when she went by herself.
Rylee opened the door, then turned around and pulled her in for another hug. “I can’t believe you’re going to be a mom.”
Abby’s stomach fluttered. “Me, either.”
“And don’t worry,” Rylee said, drawing back. “I won’t tell anyone until you give me the go-ahead.”
She thanked her friend and watched her disappear down the stairs before she shut her door and returned to her bedroom for a quick nap. Cooper wasn’t due for two hours yet. He was supposed to pick Dean up from the airport today, plus get cars ready or something for a job tomorrow.
Abby stretched out on her bed and yawned. She should probably take her heels off and change out of her dress first. It was a comfortable wrap-around that tied at her left hip in a pretty aqua color, but the urge to close her eyes for a few minutes won out.
Yawning, she wondered how Dean was doing and if he was going to like it in Harland County while he finished recuperating and preparing for some government spec ops team. She rolled onto her side and her mind turned to Cooper. He would make a great dad.
In what seemed like a minute later, she woke up to a text from him telling her he was downstairs. She sat up and blinked at the clock.
She’d slept for two hours.
Shoot.
After texting him a quick reply, she scrambled from the bed and hurried downstairs to let Cooper in.
“Hey, beautiful. You look amazing.” He greeted her with a smile and quick kiss, his hands full of white takeout bags and…a small bouquet of brightly colored carnations? “They’re your favorite flower, right?” he asked, handing them to her.
Her heart swelled. “Yes. Thank you. You remembered that?” Smiling, she brought the flowers to her nose and inhaled. She loved their scent. So much, that her parents gave them to her for her birthday every year.
“I remember a lot of things,” he told her, his voice low and sexy as he followed her upstairs.
When they reached the top, she turned and gave him a proper kiss. “Thank you. But my birthday isn’t for two months yet.”
He caressed her jaw with his thumb. “I know, but I saw them when I took Dean to the supermarket earlier and I thought of you. I got the sense you needed them today.”
Tears filled her eyes. She blinked them away and lifted up on tiptoe to give him another kiss. “Thank you. That’s sweet. What I need is you.”
And to tell him about the baby.
But not on the landing outside her apartment.
His gaze was warm and a little naughty as he joined their free hands. “You’ve got me. I’m all yours.”
“Roger that.” She squeezed his hand and didn’t let go until they walked inside her apartment.
While he spread their food out on the island and poured them some iced tea from her fridge, she put her flowers in a vase and set it on the counter. Abby wanted to admire them while they ate and talked. She told him about Stef’s bridal shower but not the baby. That could wait until they were done with their food. He talked about Dean and getting the guy moved into the cottage across from him.
“How’s his arm? Is it bad?” she asked, popping a fry in her mouth. All she knew was that Dean had almost lost it and had been medically discharged from the Navy. Of all of Cooper’s SEAL buddies, Dean was the one she felt was in it for life. He was supposed to move here two weeks ago, but the doctor in California wouldn’t release him to the doctor here until he was able to complete certain tasks.
Her heart ached for the guy she’d known as long as Cooper. He had been dealt a life-changing card.
She could relate.
“He’s able to grasp things, so that’s a huge plus,” Cooper said. “He carried some stuff into his cottage, but he couldn’t lift his suitcase or anything heavy. That pissed him off.”
“I bet.” She drank her iced tea. She could imagine Cooper or any of the guys reacting the same.
“The movers will be here with the rest of his stuff on Wednesday,” he said, before finishing the last of his burger.
Abby finished her fries but only ate half of her burger. Anxiety was tightening her chest, making it hard for her to eat. Besides, she was surprisingly full all ready.
“Something wrong with your burger?” he asked, concern wrinkling his brow.
She shook her head. “No. Just full.” She set her hand on his leg. “Thanks for grabbing the food and the flowers.”
Oh, by the way, you’re going to be a dad.
No, that seemed too blunt.
She slid to her feet, grabbed their empty glasses, and carried them to the sink. She always cleaned when she was anxious. This was important. She didn’t want to handle it wrong.
Cooper gathered their garbage and tossed it in the trash then he was at her side. “Hey, beautiful.” He pulled her close, shoving both hands in her hair, holding her head as he brought his mouth down on hers.
His kiss was different. Relaxed. Unhurried. It was slow, and deep, and he kissed her as if he savored her taste.
When he drew back, they were both gasping for air. She clung to him, trying to form a thought, but he had her dress bunched up to her hips and his hands under her silk bikinis holding her butt, his wicked thumbs stroking her skin in feather-light touches.
Cooper withdrew his hands from under her panties and her dress fell back in place. “I think it’s time for dessert,” he said, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he plucked a blue carnation from the vase.
Her pulse tripped and heat spread through her body so fast she shook. Without waiting for her reply, he took her hand and led her to her bedroom. She inhaled in an attempt to clear the desire-laden fog from her brain so she could tell him about the baby.
“Cooper…” She cleared her throat. It was dry, and her heart was beating fast. “I have something to—”
“You sure do,” he said, cutting her off by placing the flower to her lips while he slowly tugged the tie on her hip then inhaled when it parted. “Happy Birthday to me,” he murmured, trailing the flower from her lips, her collarbone, over her chest, down her ribs and belly before swirling it lightly from hip to hip.
The fog returned with a vengeance along with goosebumps and a flood of heat that made her knees weak. She reached out and grabbed his arm to keep from falling.
“Easy there. I’ve got you.” He slid his other arm around her back under the dress, crushing her close, voice low and rough with need.
It nearly set her off.
Then his mouth was on her nec
k, licking and nipping and kissing while he used the hand with the flower to push her dress off her shoulders and onto the floor. Her bra followed and he drew back to stare at her standing in nothing but her silky white bikini panties and silver strappy heels. In the next instant, she ended up flat on the bed…wearing just her heels.
Cooper stared down at her, gaze smoldering. “You’re so damn beautiful, Abby.”
He set the flower on the bed, then stripped in a few economical and immensely hot movements, before he grabbed the carnation and crawled up her body, running the flower over her skin, paying special attention to her good spots, making her gasp and squirm and need.
She needed him. Bad.
His lips finally made it to her mouth. He kissed her softly, first one corner then the other, before he slowly, thoroughly and with great aplomb took her out of herself. His touch was different too.
The heat and desire were still there, but like his kiss, he savored, worshiped, demanded everything and gave her more. He brushed the flower over her breasts before he kissed them and tugged them with his teeth. Cravings only Cooper elicited, consumed Abby.
“I need you,” she muttered, desperate for more.
He dropped the flower, rolled a condom on and shoved inside. She cried out his name, and was too lost in the need throbbing through her body to realize he didn’t need the condom.
Then he began to move, and she moaned at the delicious push and pull of their bodies. It was too much and just right. She shoved her hands in his hair and tugged his mouth to hers, kissing him with everything she had, wanting him to know—to feel—how much he meant to her.
If she told him, it might scare him. It scared her too. Abby loved Cooper. She’d loved him for a while. Possibly years. The realization didn’t scare her, though. It made sense. Everything made perfect sense. All the dreams. The bucket list. The way her heart leapt whenever he walked into a room. How her heart swelled when he smiled at her with adoration in his eyes. She suspected he felt the same but maybe hadn’t realized it. Abby knew Peyton had done a number on him and it would take a while before he’d probably admit his feelings to her. And that was fine. She could feel them in his touch. See them in his eyes. Tell it by the little things he did, like make her breakfast in bed. Bring her flowers because they reminded him of her.
Cooper (HC Heroes Series Book 5) Page 15