Page 69

“Nothing.” She shrugs, but her sneer stays firmly fixed in place. My hands curl into fists and my sudden burst of protectiveness toward CaraoverStella stuns me. “I just think before you get with this girl, you should really think about it. Not like you two really belong together. She’s too preppy. You’re too normal.”

“Wow. Get the hell out of my office.”

I can’t believe she’s talking to me like this.

“I’m just sayin’—”

“I don’t want to hear what you’re saying, Stella. She’s living with me. She’s having my baby. We are together and frankly, we’re good that way.”

“You can’t really think, though—”

“I don’t think it.” I shove my fists into the desk and stand, bending over it so Stella can’t miss a second of my seriousness. “I fucking know it, Stella. She’sitfor me and I won’t tolerate you being a bitch to her or saying shit like this to me. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I am on your side.” Her hands fly to her hips. “I am on your side and that’s why I’m worried.”

“Nothing to worry about.” The timer dings on my phone, telling me my ten-minute break is up, but hell if I’m in the mood to finish now. Anger and confusion with Stella are pumping blood through my veins at dangerous, heart attack levels. “Take a break. Get out of here. Go get us something to eat, wherever you want, but don’t come back to work tonight until you’ve gotten rid of your attitude.”

“My attitude?”

“Go, Stella.” I shove off the desk and reach the door to my office, stepping around her. She’s more like a sister to me than an employee. I’ve known her more than half my damn life. “If you can’t be happy for me, happy I’ve finally got all the shit in my life going right, shit you know I’ve wanted for over a decade, then maybe you shouldn’t come back at all.”

“You can’t mean that.”

I’m not even sure if I do. I fucking love Stella.

You love Cara too.

I do love her, and I’m willing to take out anyone who can’t see past our differences to realize how good we can be together.

“I do, Stella.”

I head down the hall, back to the main area where I’ve been working on Tim’s tattoo, taking my time pulling on new latex gloves and realigning my supplies on the tray before I turn back to him.

The buzz and concentration of the needles will wash away the epic disaster that just occurred.

Chapter 24

Cara

I haven’t been to my parents’ house since the day I packed up my meager belongings and moved out. Their visit to my apartment wasn’t just a surprise, it was the first time they’d ever come there. I wasn’t entirely sure they knew my address.

Last night’s argument with Braxton still weighs heavily on my mind as I sit in the back of the SUV Braxton had called for me, texting me to let me know when it would arrive outside his building. I don’t want to fight with him, although I definitely enjoy the way we made up.

Plus, I essentially admitted to him that I love him. And then I went and called his place home.

I hadn’t realized I said it until he left the apartment, it took me a few minutes to understand why his smile had gone so wonky and happy before he left. Once I replayed the conversation in my head, I realized it was true.

His penthouse condo is more of a home than any I’ve ever had before. He’s the most family I’ve had outside of Jimmy and Jenna. But Jimmy is gone and Jenna is married, ridiculously planning to start a family based on my delivery schedule, and I know two things for certain, as the SUV pulls into my parents’ drive and their early-1900s home looms in front of me.

One, Jimmy would be so happy for me, if he could see how happy I currently am.

And two, I am absolutely in love with Braxton Henley and I can’t imagine anyone else I would want to have a family with. He’s all hard edges and scowls on the surface, but beneath the ripped muscles and brightly colored ink, he has the largest heart of anyone I’ve ever met.

Based on the way he looks at me, the things he’s said to me, I have no doubt he’s falling in love with me too.

I will treasure every single part you give me, Cara, you have my word.

I close my eyes and breathe out a slow, confidence-gathering breath as I remember his promise to me earlier. Knowing he’s thinking of me and worrying about me right now fills me with everything I need for the night ahead.