Again, her words hurt. What do I need to do to prove to her this matters to me? “It’s my kid too. From now on, it’s not just you and just me, it’s us.”
She squeezes my hand and leans in, lips parting. I can’t help it. There is something about Lauren that makes me lose control.
I kiss her.
And she lets me.
Soft lips crash against mine, tasting like strawberry lipgloss. I twist in my seat and cup her face in my hands. I. Cannot. Stop. Kissing. Her.
“Sorry,” I pant when I stop for air, pressing my forehead against hers.
“Don’t be,” she says softly and doesn’t move away. Gently, she places her hands over mine and brings my face to hers, kissing me again. “We should go in.” She makes no attempt to leave. “Before someone comes out and sees us.”
I nod and run my hands through her hair, afraid if I let go I’ll never get to kiss her again. I’m not physically able to stop and kiss her again.
“Noah,” she moans. “We.” Kiss. “Need.” Kiss. “To stop.” More kissing. Finally she turns her head, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Fuck,” she whispers.
“You’re rethinking the no-sex rule, aren’t you?” I give her a grin.
“Actually, yes.” She’s grinning right back. “But no. Come on, let’s get this over with.”
Lauren’s family is already seated in the dining room when we walk in the house. I can hear them talking and smell dinner, which is no doubt on the table. I’m a bit surprised no one has called Lauren asking where she is; it’s unlike her to be late for anything. We purposely arrived after the others. Me walking in hand in hand with Lauren is going to be a shock on its own.
Lauren takes a deep breath and pulls the ultrasound pictures from her purse. She keeps a tight hold on my hand as we walk through the house.
“Finally,” Mrs. Winters says when she sees Lauren. The table is already set. Chicken, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables are waiting for us, all served family-style. “I was about to ca—” She cuts off, eyes darting to me.
“Hey!” Colin says, greeting me like usual. “What are you…” He trails off, looking at his sister’s hand in mine. “What are you two doing? Trying to be funny, right?” A line forms between his eyes as he looks back and forth from Lauren to me. I wince, feeling like I betrayed nearly ten years of friendship.
“I wish,” Lauren says softly, looking at her sister, Katie, who gives her an encouraging nod. Oh right, she already knows. Mr. Winters glares at me, and I’m glad looks can’t kill, while the others, Jenny, Lauren’s mom, and Wes, Katie’s fiancé, try to figure out what the hell is going on.
Colin stands up so fast his chair almost tips over. “No. No way, man. You and … no.”
Mrs. Winters gasps. “Lauren!”
I look down at the table. I’m fucking dying; I can only imagine how Lauren feels.
“The surprises don’t end there,” Lauren says and gives my hand a tug. We take our spots at the table. Colin sits back down, a bit too shocked to be pissed at me just yet. Lauren is shaking. I put my hand on her thigh and she puts her hand on mine, curling her fingers under my palm. She looks at her parents. “Mom, Dad … you’re going to be grandparents.”
Mrs. Winters flicks her eyes to Colin and Jenny, but when they mirror her confusion, she sucks in air and stares at Lauren. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m pregnant,” Lauren says. “Noah and I are having a baby.”
Chapter 9
LAUREN
MOM’S FACE IS as pale as a ghost. “You’re pregnant?”
I just nod.
“You’re having a baby?”
“That’s what being pregnant means, Mom,” Katie says.
“You’re not serious, right?”
I put the ultrasound pictures down. “I figured you’d think that, so I brought proof.” Mom takes them, mouth open as she processes this.