by S. M. West
“Hey.” I lean into her, snaking an arm around her waist. “Pansy just told everyone she’s pregnant.”
Her head snaps up, and blonde hair, well past her shoulders now, sweeps across her face. She brushes it away and locks eyes with me. The moment is fleeting, and so much is communicated without words.
Is now the right time? Will we be stealing their thunder?
I smile and nod. There’s no competition and nothing to steal. Why not spread happiness?
“Oh my gosh, that’s fantastic.” Cream still in her palm, she runs to Pansy, gifting her with a one-arm hug and kisses. “Congratulations. Baby number two on the way!” Then she’s hugging Silas. “You guys, that’s great.”
“Thank you,” they say in unison while Crystal and I step up to either side of Pru.
“We’ve got some news of our own.” I hardly get the words out when all eyes fall on Pru’s still flat stomach.
“Really?” Daisy gathers closer, eyes wide and glowing.
Pru nods, eyes glossy, wearing a smile from ear to ear, and Crystal bounces on her toes unable to contain her excitement. “We’re having a baby too!”
The poor girl has been dying to spill the beans ever since we found out five weeks ago. But we wanted to wait until the first trimester was behind us.
We’re swarmed by our friends with more laughter, hugs, and kisses. Posey and Henry dance around us, likely not aware of what we’re celebrating but happy to join the fun.
“Now you have to move back to LA.” Pansy grabs at my hand as Pru applies the cream to Crystal’s pink shoulders and hands her the T-shirt.
“Hey, not that again.” I tug on her hand, quick to shut down the usual pressure we get about living here year-round with everyone else.
This is our second summer in California, and we plan to make it a tradition. In addition to purchasing a house in Malibu, on the same beach as Daisy and Gray, all of us got together and bought this boat at the beginning of the summer.
We spend a lot of time on the water, together any chance we get, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But Manhattan is our home, at least for now.
I’ve got two more seasons of Breaking Point, and while the series isn’t showing signs of coming to an end any time soon, I don’t have plans to renew my contract.
After my debut as a director for that indie film, the offers started to come in, and I’m up for an award as best director. One can hope—and even if I don’t win, it’s an honor to be nominated and a wonderful start to my career.
Not to mention, I’m currently directing a big budget film for one of the world’s oldest and biggest movie studios and have two other projects in the works.
Pru loves Manhattan, and we really haven’t talked about moving to the West Coast, because Harley and Nash are in the city, along with Priscilla.
And now with the baby on the way, I can’t take her across the country when her mother and best friend are in the city. Even though I have no doubt she’d do it if that’s what I wanted.
We’ve come a long way, and Pru is all in. We may never marry in the legal sense— she doesn’t want a wedding—and I’m good with that. None of that matters because she’s my partner in every sense of the word.
“What’s so bad about moving here?” Gray bumps shoulders with me.
“We’ll move here for good”—Pru takes my other hand and slides her arm around Crystal’s waist—“one day. Not right now. We’ve still got things to do in Manhattan, but soon.”
Most of Pru’s time is spent as a mother to Crystal, and I’ve always believed moms have the toughest jobs in the world, but she also consults for start-ups. She loves keeping one toe in the business world, so to speak, and she’s good at it. No, she’s amazing.
“What she said.” I smile, leaning into kiss Pru lightly on the mouth while everyone chuckles around us.
Her hand glides up my chest, and the diamond eternity ring, the one I gave her our first Christmas together, winks in the sunlight.
This right here is the happiest I’ll ever be. We’re all growing our families, individually and collectively. I’m with the woman I love, my children—however many we’re blessed with—and my family.
Like I said from the start, family means everything to me and it’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Thank you for reading Eli and Pru’s story! If you haven’t read all the Trojan books, they’re all standalones and can be read in any order.
If you’re looking for a story of self-discovery and happenstance between a hot-headed rock star and sassy wildflower, you’ll love Silas and Pansy’s romance: ONE CLICK CLUTCH!
If you’re looking for an epic love story with secrets and lies, you’ll love Jared and Eva’s second chance romance: ONE CLICK REVERB!
If you want a friends to lovers romance with all the swoons and a little dark and thrilling, start reading Gray and Daisy’s story: ONE CLICK SMASH!
To find out when I have new books, sign up for my newsletter.
If you loved the Trojan series, you’ll love the emotionally charged Love Lock Duet, start reading Love Block!
And if you’re looking for something fun and sexy with a billionaire and pretend relationships, you’ll fall in love with Real Liars!
And if you’re looking for edge of your seat action to go with the romance, dive into the Scarred Hearts series with Prophet.
Sign up for my newsletter to find out when I have new releases and exclusive sneak peeks.
Thank you for reading and please leave a review on your favorite book site, including tell a friend. Reviews help readers find books!
Other books by S.M. West
Anthology - coming January 2022
Desire After Dark: Scoring the Player
Trojan Series
All can be read as standalones
Clutch
Reverb
Smash
Rush
Scarred Hearts Series
All can be read as standalones
Prophet
Kit
Nomad
Standalones
Made to Love
Real Liars
The Love Lock Duet
Love Block
Love Lock
New York Knights Series
Reckless Night
Fallen Night
Captive Night
Relentless Night
Broken Night
About the Author
S.M. West writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and whatever her heart desires. She’s a self-professed junkie of wine, chocolate and travel and can always be found planning her next adventure!
www.smwestauthor.com
For new releases, exclusive excerpts, giveaways and more, sign up for her newsletter.