“Do you know how sexy you look, shirtless and with a baby in your arms?”
“Well, I do now,” I tell her with a smile. “Let’s not say anything about you coming to England. Not until we have a place to stay and everything is sorted.”
“Okay. Are you going to tell Zara?”
“Yeah, I’ll talk to her.”
“She’s going to be pissed.”
“Let her be pissed. I don’t care. This was meant to be, Aria. I was meant to come here and find you.” Annie stirs again and opens her eyes. Looking down at her, I smile. “I think someone is going to be wanting a feed soon. We’d better get you back to your mummy.”
With my hand encased tightly in Aria’s I walk slowly back to Savannah’s place feeling happier than I have in a long time. Judging by the smile on Aria’s face, I know she feels exactly the same way.
Aria
“Ican’t wait for this to be over,” Savannah hisses from across the stall. “I was hoping she’d be too hungover to want to bother after the amount of wine she drank last night. Have you spoken to her today?”
“Hmm,” I mutter, as I saddle up Marble.
“Are you even listening to me… Aria?”
I shoot my head up when she shouts my name. “Shit. Sorry, Sav. I think I zoned out.”
She narrows her eyes and crosses the small space to stand in front of me. “Okay, spill!”
“Spill what?” I ask, not meeting her eye.
“Whatever it is you’re thinking about.”
“I can’t. Not yet.” I realize I’ve said too much the second the words leave my mouth. There is no way Savannah will let me get away without telling her now.
“Oh my God, you’re pregnant!” she cries.
“What? No, I’m not pregnant, and keep your voice down! Zara will be here any minute.” My eyes quickly flick around the stables, a wave of relief washing over me as I see we’re alone. Her eyes narrow again before dropping to my stomach. I roll my eyes and laugh. “Savannah, even if Iwaspregnant, which I’m not, you wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking at me!”
“Well, if you’re not pregnant, what is it?”
I pull my eyebrows together in a frown as I stare at her. It could be one of a million things, but I think I know why her mind went straight to a baby. I see the longing in her eyes when she holds Annie. She might think she hides it well, but not from me. Anyone can see how much she adores Hope, and while Josh is Hope’s father in every way that’s important, he’s not her biological father. An illness as a child robbed him of fathering a child of his own, but seeing her with Annie, I wonder if she longs for more.
“Have you spoken to Josh?” I ask, hoping I’m not speaking out of turn.
“Does Josh know what’s going on and he hasn’t told me?” she exclaims, her hands going to her hips.
“No. Not about me. About a baby?”
“A… a baby?” she stutters, her eyes dropping to the floor. “What do you mean?”
“Have you talked to him about having another baby?” I ask gently. She’s quiet for a few seconds before she finally looks at me, tears filling her eyes.
“How did you know I want another baby?”
I shrug. “I’ve seen the way you look at Annie.”
Her eyes widen. “Do you think Josh has noticed?”
“I don’t know, Sav. I’m guessing that means you haven’t talked to him?”
She shakes her head. “How can I? He knew how much I wanted a family, and when he found out he couldn’t give me one, he pushed me away for so long. Getting pregnant with Hope after a one-night stand wasn’t my finest moment, but it’s what brought us together.” She pauses to wipe the tears that have begun to fall down her cheeks. “I told him he was enough. How can I tell him I want another baby? He’ll think…” she sobs, her hand flying up to her mouth. Rushing toward her, I pull her into my arms.