Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
Renee pulls away and smiles excitedly, “Chicken chow mein?”
I laugh at her reaction. We’ve ordered Chinese food four times in two weeks due to pregnancy cravings, and each time, Renee wants chicken chow mein.
“Anything for you… and you,” I rub Renee’s belly as she giggles.
The next morning, I slip out of bed early even though it’s Saturday and I want to sleep late with Renee pressed against me. After I’m dressed for the day, I leave the house as quietly as possible.
Once I’m inside my Mustang, I take a deep breath.
“You can do this,” I tell myself, looking in the mirror.
Ten minutes later, I pull into Colt’s driveway. I don’t know what his schedule has been like these days, but I figure it’s too early in the day for him to show any houses. I know I should call him first, but I didn’t want to risk him hanging up on me or avoiding me.
I ring the doorbell and wait. When I don’t hear anything, I ring the bell again. Finally, the door swings open.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Colt asks immediately after opening the door.
“Good morning to you, too.”
“I’m not above calling the police on you or knocking you out.”
“Colt, can’t we just talk about it?”
He snorts. “Do you know how hard it is to even look at you? And you want me to talk?”
“Look, man. I know you feel betrayed… If you don’t want anything to do with me, fine. I get it. But Renee… don’t do this to her, Colt. She’s hurting. She misses her father,” I explain, and I see his eyes soften.
“Is that what you came here to tell me?”
“No,” I shake my head. “I wanted to ask you if you’d be the godfather to my child.”
Colt looks at me, disgusted.
“You want me to be the godfather to yours and Renee’s baby?”
“You’re my best friend, no matter what.”
Colt sighs. “You do know your child is my grandchild, right? How fucking weird is that? How can you look at Renee… and… not see that little girl?”
“Because she’s not a little girl anymore, Colt. She’s a woman.”
“The hell she is,” he says, gritting his teeth.
“I’m really sorry. I mean that. Just know that I would never do anything to hurt her or force her into anything. She can go to school if she wants. I’ll stay home with the baby. I just want Renee to be happy. I love her, Colt.”
He looks up at the ceiling and then back at me.
“Chastity says Renee seems genuinely happy.”
“For the most part, she is. She’s just missing the one person who has always been there for her,” I tell him.
Colt swallows. “I can’t promise I’ll ever forgive either of you.”
“You don’t have to forgive me. Just be part of your daughter’s life. Be part of your grandchild’s life.”
“Tell Renee she’s always welcome here,” Colt says, his eyes softening.
“I will. I’ll see you around, Colt,” I say with a nod before heading back to my car.
25
Renee
Waking up on a Saturday morning to Kane lying next to me is one of my favorite things in life. So imagine my disappointment when I wake up alone.
“Kane?” I call out.
Sitting up in the bed, I reach for the robe Kane got me that says “Sexy Mama” on the back. I check my phone and see a text message from him.
Had an errand to run. I’ll be home soon with treats.
As if on cue, I hear the door open and Kane whistling to himself. I head downstairs and into the kitchen to see Kane unpacking corn muffins and cups of coffee.
“Good morning, baby,” he smiles when he sees me.
He wraps his arms around me, resting his palms on my ass before kissing me.
“You’re in a good mood. Did you run off at the crack of dawn to see your other girlfriend?” I tease.
“You caught me. And I felt so guilty about it that I had to bring you your favorite muffin and a decaf caramel latte,” he smirks.
“I love you,” I say, biting my bottom lip.
He grins. “I know.”
“I wish you’d slept in. You had a busy work week.”
I grab two plates from the cabinet and place them on the counter top before hopping up on a stool.
“I had an important meeting,” he shrugs, placing a muffin on my plate.
“At six a.m.?” I squawk.
Kane smiles slyly, “You’re so nosey.”
He pinches my cheek, and I smack his hand away.
“But I guess I knew that since you go creeping around people’s bedrooms and read their journals.”
I stick my tongue out at him, and Kane chuckles.
“I’m so glad I’m with a mature woman.”
“If this corn muffin wasn’t so good, I’d throw it at you,” I laugh. “You’re just trying to change the subject.”
“Fine. I went to see your dad.”
My eyes practically fall out of my head.
“At six a.m. on a Saturday? You’re lucky he didn’t knock you out for that alone,” I gasp in shock before inspecting his face. “No bruises.”