Knox narrows his eyes at her. “I ain’t payin’ a cheater!”
“I won fair and square, and if you don’t give me my money, I’m gonna tell Grandma. You know her rules about payin’ your debts.” She flips her hair over her shoulder, then follows Gavin, who’s guiding the kids over to the dessert table.
After we finish eating, Payton and I move to the main area where all the older folks are drinking coffee. Dad’s playing the most annoying viral songs I’ve ever heard, and Grandma keeps telling him to turn it down because they have to yell over it to hear each other.
“So, you don’t think it’s cheatin’ that Maize was gettin’ a play-by-play of our relationship,” Payton asks, and I grin wide.
“She swore on her own grave she wouldn’t tell a soul. And she didn’t, so I owe her as much, even if it kinda feels like insider trading.” I shrug.
Payton throws his head back, laughing. “I don’t even want to know what you told her.”
“Mostly just trying to convince her that nothin’ was going on between us. But we both know that was a lie.”
He laughs. “You couldn’t resist my charm and big dick.”
I roll my eyes. “Shush. The music might be blarin’, but the adults are nosy as fuck.”
My uncle Evan and aunt Emily decide to ditch out early, and with only thirty minutes left, the crowd grows smaller. I’m determined to stay the whole time because it’s the last major holiday I’ll have before the baby comes in March. Time feels like it’s speeding by at times but slowing down at others. I want to cherish every minute of being pregnant, especially since I have no idea if I’ll get another chance, but I’m also eager to meet her.
Dad puts on some baby-making music that’s easy to dance to because Grandma threatened to fire him if she heard one more fast-paced song.
Payton stands and holds out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
I look up at him, smirking. “Thought you’d never ask.”
I’m brought back to dancing with him at the wedding reception nearly a year ago, which really lit the fire for this whole ordeal. So much has changed, and I’m so damn grateful I double-fisted all that wine. If I hadn't practically thrown myself at him on that dance floor, who knows if we’d be where we are today?
“Ooh,” I say, placing my hand on my belly.
“Is she kickin’?” he asks.
“I think she’s excited,” I tell him, resting my free arm on his shoulder as he dances with me in front of the fireplace.
“It’s all those desserts and loud music,” he says, then leans forward and crashes his lips to mine.
“What can I say? Baby has a sweet tooth.”
I notice my cousins and brothers are dancing with their spouses too. I smile, realizing I finally have what they have—something I’ve wanted for so damn long.
“I love you,” he mouths.
Unable to contain my happiness, I smile wide. “I love you too. Thanks for being the most perfect baby daddy.” I place his palms on my belly so he can feel the little life we created.
His face lights up when he feels her using me as a kicking bag.
“Just a few more minutes and we’ll be going home so you can get some sleep,” Payton tells her.
Another kick.
He chuckles. “She has your attitude.”
“I can live with that. Considering she’ll be one of the youngest kids in the family, she’ll need to be tough.”
“You know what I can’t live without?” He leans in until he’s centimeters away from my mouth. “You.”
“I’d die before letting that happen,” I say, repeating similar words he once said to me.
My dad lowers the music and brings everyone’s attention to the giant digital clock on the mantel that’s been counting down all night. Grandma stands when there are only ten seconds left and starts the official countdown. Grandpa takes his time joining her, then hands over her noisemaker just as Dad plays “Auld Lang Syne.”