Page 50 of Unscripted Love
“Twins!” Josh said excitedly. “A boy and a girl.”
“Oh my God! That’s amazing!” I knew that Josh and Gabe were planning to adopt, but I thought they had planned to wait a year so they could go on a road trip across the country. It looked as if life wasn’t going according to Josh’s plans once again, and judging by the smile on his face, he couldn’t be happier.
“Baby, that’s wonderful,” Mere said. “When did this all happen?”
“Yesterday,” Josh said. “Gabe’s mom called us in the middle of an argument over me not allowing Gabe to have a water pistol to use as a prop for his Ricardo Tubbs costume.” I snorted when I remembered how ridiculous Josh and Gabe had looked dressed like Crockett and Tubbs from Miami Vice. Their ridiculous wigs made them look more like Lionel Ritchie and Joe Dirt. Josh narrowed his eyes at my interruption and continued to tell us how the call went. “It’s just like Gabe’s adoption,” he said when he was through. “Martina and Al knew Gabe’s birth mom from the neighborhood, and it’s happening all over again.”
“When will you be back?” I asked Josh so I could mentally prepare myself for the phone calls I would need to make to reschedule his appointments.
“We’re flying to Miami and back tomorrow, so you don’t need to worry about calling my clients.” He took a shaky breath then said, “The babies are due to arrive mid-January.”
“Oh wow, that’ll be here before you know it,” I said.
“Yes, and I’m trying not to panic,” Josh answered. “I’m going to fly to Miami tomorrow and wow the fuck out of this potential mom then fly back to be ready for the interviews for the new stylists and receptionist for Curl Up and Dye on Tuesday.”
“There’s no need to panic, love,” Mere said softly. “Everything will work out the way it’s intended. Chaz and I have your back whenever you need us.”
Josh pulled us into a group hug. “What would I do without the two of you?” he asked.
“You’re never going to find out,” I told him before kissing his cheek.
“I love you guys so much,” Josh told us. “I’m so glad we finally have our shit together and can look forward to some amazing years ahead of us.” Josh narrowed his eyes in my direction and said, “Wedo finally have our shit together, right?”
He was referring to me and the secret I’d kept from Kyle. I loved my friends more than life, but I wouldn’t share the things Kyle and I discussed. I had no way of knowing if Kyle would truly be able to trust me again. It was obvious how hard he wanted to try to make our relationship work, but without trust, we had no chance of a future together. I didn’t want to drag down the happiness of the moment so I was as honest as I could be without pushing a panic button.
“Everything is out in the open and we’re working through it. He’s the most amazing man.”
“He thinks you’re amazing too,” Mere said softly.
“I hope so.”
“I know so,” Josh added. “I see it in the way he looks at you.”
I turned and locked eyes with Kyle. The slow grin and playful wink he sent my way made me want to leave the gathering early. I knew he had plans for me and the Captain. I was eager to learn what they were, but I couldn’t skip out early on a night when there was so much to celebrate.
I didn’t think the night could get any better until Kyle took me back to his place after dinner and removed my Captain America underwear from my body with his teeth like he’d promised. We took our time discovering one another’s bodies like it was the first time.
“Wow, that’s a large stack of documents,” I said when I sat across from my loan officer at the bank.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” she assured me. “Most of this information was provided to you three days ago, but we’ll go over each one before you sign or initial.”
“Let’s do it,” I said.
Thirty minutes later, Becker handed me the keys to my new home. “I hope you’ll be very happy there,” he said, smiling warmly. Over the past few weeks, he’d dropped his toothpaste grin and perky salesman routine and showed me the real guy. He was nice, and I liked him, but I made it very clear that I wasn’t interested in starting anything with him.
“I can’t wait to show Chaz tonight.” I had a special evening planned after he was finished working at the salon. “Thanks for everything, Becker.” I patted him on the shoulder and headed out of the bank without waiting for a response. I had places to go and dreams to fulfill and only an hour or so to pull it off before Chaz arrived.
I stopped at the store and bought a crap ton of white unscented candles then stopped at Edson and Emma’s to pick up our favorite foods. Gabe was at the counter waiting for his order when I walked in. I sat down beside him and said, “Looks like we had the same idea.”
“Pot roast, mashed potatoes, and honey glazed carrots just sounded like the thing to eat on a chilly night like tonight,” Gabe said. “You and Chaz have plans?”
“You could say that,” I replied. “I’m picking up dinner and meeting Chaz at the new house.”
“Oh, that was today,” Gabe said excitedly. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “I can’t wait until the new furniture arrives and I can actually live there.”
“Do you need any help? I seem to recall you giving up a Saturday afternoon to help us move,” Gabe said.