Page 28

Carter

I walked into the human resources office and headed for Maribell’s desk. She saw me coming and narrowed her eyes, “Nope.”

I chuckled, “You don’t even know what I was going to ask,” I said.

She narrowed her eyes at me, “You’re going to ask if we offer paternity leave, and the answer for you is no.”

I grinned, “Aw, don’t be like that.”

She clucked her tongue, “I’m going to be like that because you make my job a hell of a lot easier. So, the answer is no.”

I chuckled, “Okay.”

Then I pulled my phone out and hit Harlee’s number and placed the phone on speaker.

As the ringing filled the room, Maribell lifted a brow. “Who are you calling?”

I grinned, “My wife.”

She gasped at the same time I heard Harlee say, “Hey, handsome.”

“You didn’t,” Maribell asked, indignantly.

I grinned, “I sure as hell did.”

Maribell sighed, “Ugh. Fine. And I’m only doing this because she gives me a family and friends discount.” Then she said, “Hey, Harlee, I’ll take care of it.”

Harlee’s tinkling laughter came through the speaker, as I said, “Thanks, Darling. Love you.”

She was still laughing, I knew she was either rolling her eyes or shaking her head, “I can’t even with you sometimes. Oh, before I forget. Baby and I are craving eclairs and mint chocolate chip ice cream. And yes, I love you too.” And with that, she hung up.

I grimaced at the thought of ever pairing those two together.

Maribell shook her head, “I don’t miss those weird cravings. One time I wanted filet flounder and dipped it into vanilla ice cream. It was so good, but what wasn’t good was my husband running to the bathroom to puke at the sight.”

I chuckled, then shook my head, “Thanks, Maribell.”

She winked, “You got it. Now, get going, get your woman what she asked for.”

I nodded and headed out of her office, but not before she called out, “Carter?”

I stopped and turned and looked over my shoulder, “Yeah?”

“I can say I know a lot of bad men. Can’t say I know a lot of good men. I’m honored to know you.”

I chuckled, “Same.”

And with that, I headed out to my truck, and the store, and got my woman and my baby what they wanted.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to go puke after watching her eat that.

But I may have thrown up in my mouth when she took a hotdog bun, slathered on peanut butter, mayo, and pickles... yeah, be right back.

Her sounds of moaning... it wasn’t the good kind I was used to.

***

I realized something right then and there.

The first time I had slept in Harlee’s bed, wrapped around her, I had thought that nothing could be better than this.

And the next morning, when I woke up, I knew that only a few things would make it better.

And now... she has my rings on her finger. My last name. And my baby is in her belly.

Yeah, life wasn’t good.

It was goddamned perfect.