Page 90 of Where the Roses Bloom

“Too late,” Willow said brightly. “I’m putting it on the invites.”

CHAPTER 31

Willow

The timeron my phone ticked down in silence.

We sat on the edge of the tub, our thighs pressed together, both of us staring at the little white stick on the bathroom counter like it might bite. Somewhere between giving the exorcist a tour of the house, lighting infinite sticks of incense, and feeding the whole family, we’d found the time to go out and get a pack of pregnancy tests…

…and now we were here.

Waiting.

I’d done this what felt like a thousand times before, but I’d never done it with someone who actually wanted a baby. With Carter, it had always been apprehensive, tests taken in secret—me, hoping a happy accident had happened, while he dreaded the prospect of starting a family with me.

Rhett, though?

He wanted this. Washoping for it.And that almost made it worse.

“I hate this part,” I muttered, reaching up to rake a hand through my hair. “Never been a longer five minutes.”

Rhett wrapped his hand around mine, lacing our fingerstogether. “If it isn’t positive…we can just keep tryin’. I certainly don’t mind.”

I snorted, just slightly, but it broke the tension enough to breathe again. “I’m starting to think that’s your favorite part.”

His lips curved in a half-smile. “Can’t lie to you, rosebud.”

“You know you’re not supposed to seduce mewhilewe’re waiting on a pregnancy test, right?”

“Who’s seducing?” he murmured, brushing his lips against my temple. “I’m just sittin’ with you…bein’ supportive.”

God—he really was though. I leaned into him, enjoying how a single touch from him made my nerves spark like the Fourth of July.

“Whatever it says,” he added, more seriously, “you’re mine. That doesn’t change. And soon…soon, we’re gonna be married. And we’llkeep tryin’.”

I blinked hard, trying not to cry. Again. Damn hormones…or maybe it was just Rhett being sogood. He always meant it when he said I was his, and not in a possessive way…in a proud way. In a way that said,I will happily claim this person as my kin, and I’m honored to be in her life.

I’d never been treated that way until him, not by my parents, not by friends…certainly not by Carter. I loved that this was what he was promising for life.

“I really want this,” I whispered.

“I know,” he said, brushing his thumb across the inside of my wrist. “Me too.”

The timer buzzed.

Neither of us moved…then Rhett looked at me and said, “Want me to check it?”

I shook. my head. “No. I’ve got it.”

I crossed to the counter and picked it up with careful fingers.Please be positive, please be positive…

I looked down at the result window.

Two lines.

Two very bold, very pink lines.

My breath caught.