Savannah grins. “I’m sure we can arrange something.” Then she turns her smile on me. “Thank you again for the beautiful bracelet.”
Payton gives her thanks as well.
Val bites her lip. “I feel bad leaving without saying goodbye to Aspen.”
Savannah snorts. “Serves her right for getting up to go on a run or whatever the hell she’s doing.”
Valentine nods, but I can tell she doesn’t want to leave without seeing her sister.
I hear Rob pulling up the driveway, so I glance out the window next to the door, watching him drive through the fresh coating of snow. And then I grin.
“I’m guessing it wasn’t a run.” I swing the front door open, and we all watch Aspen climb out of the passenger seat in the same clothes as last night.
Val slaps her hand over her mouth, but it’s too late to cover the gasp.
“What the fuck?” King booms.
Rob wisely stays in the driver’s seat.
“That’s our cue, Mama.” I press a hand to Val’s back to get her going, then pick up our bags.
“Mama?” King mutters. “What the fuck is wrong with everyone this morning?”
He says more, but we’re out of earshot.
Val takes a few hurried steps so she can give Aspen a quick hug as I catch up.
“Enjoy your day,” I tell Aspen, and she rolls her eyes at me before striding up to the house.
Valentine’s smile is so full of humor when she looks back at me that I have to kiss her.
There’s no other choice.
Taking a few long steps, I drop the bags and catch her around the waist.
I dip her back, then capture her mouth with mine.
Val melts into me. Not resisting at all.
And I love it.
Her mouth opens, and I slide my tongue against hers.
I love the way she tastes.
She lets out a small moan, and it makes me regret not sleeping with my cock buried inside her all night.
I love her.
My eyes slowly open.
I love her.
I slide the hand not at her back up around her throat.
I fucking love this woman.
Everything about her.
Every goddamn inch.
Every curve.
Every tear and every whimper.
I love her.
Something cold hits the back of my neck, and I jolt upright.
Looking back, I see King scooping up another handful of snow.
Val sees him and lets out a girly squeal, then darts toward the vehicle.
I walk backward toward the car, and when the second snowball flies for me, I backhand it out of the air, then hold up my middle finger to King and climb into the back seat next to my wife.
But before I can pull her in for another kiss, my phone starts to ring.
And when I answer it, the plans change.
After we drop Val off in Chicago, I’m going to Costa Rica. Because that’s where Casey is.
CHAPTER 73
Val
My lips still tingle from Dominic’s goodbye kiss as I walk up the stairs toward our bedroom.
I hate that he’s gone again. But at least I can do this next part with privacy.
Just breathe.
My feet take me through the bedroom, into the bathroom.
I’ve already decided that I’m going to do this. Because I need to know. So I don’t hesitate. I walk straight to the cabinet next to my sink and open it, taking out the leather bag.
My fingers shake a little as I unzip the top and pull out the slender box.
It’s just a moment. One moment in time.
“You can do this,” I say, trying to convince myself that I’m not terrified.
I read the instructions on the side of the box. Then I read them three more times.
I’ve never had to take an at-home test before. I’ve never had so much as a pregnancy scare before. But now… Well, now I can’t imagine having done this before today. Like some of the other broke girls I went to college with, taking these tests in their early twenties. I don’t know how they survived the stress. At least I’m more financially secure than I ever could have dreamed of. And I’m with someone I’m pretty sure I’m in love with. And he comes with a big family that would certainly be involved in our child’s life.
But even with all that, I’m still terrified.
And even though I want a family more than anything, I don’t know if having the baby is the right choice.
It’s too soon.
This life is too dangerous.
People are actively trying to kill my husband.
We need round-the-clock security.
And yet…
I rip the box open and take out one of the two sealed tests within.
Reading the box one more time, I set it down and tear open the packaging around the testing stick.