My Next Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend #1) Page 23

  I hired three more people to work at my shop because really – by the time I get there, I’m sicker than a dog in the bathroom, and then I’m good for nothing after that. Plus, with Addie gone, I needed help anyway. And I created a Facebook page for my Coffee Shop on the Go. Authors, bloggers and readers have been spreading the word about our amazing pastries ever since the Ridgemont signing so now we ship our orders all over the place. And I’ve even had some people who are hosting signings asking if I can make enough to have at their signings! Just – wow! I bought a packaging table with a postage table connected to it, tons of packing boxes, and all the supplies needed to wrap and keep them fresh that fit nicely at the far end in our back room. They’re a big hit!

  Also, I’ve added glass canisters on top of the display case, on the end, beautifully decorated and filled with mints and Hot Tamales, a constant reminder of Jax. Sigh. Not that I really need reminders. Even though I’m not far from him, I still can’t get enough of him.

  Now, here’s the weird thing. I know, not like my entire life hasn’t been weird. Molly has been acting strange ever since the signing. I can’t figure it out, and she’s not spilling. And – I’ve noticed her and Duncan whispering a lot, stopping as soon as I get near. Are they planning a surprise birthday for me? I mean, it is next week. Maybe that’s it! Then again, she freaks every time I mention that the Chance Geary is gonna be starring in Dare to Dream, the book-turned-movie. YES! You heard that right! Addie’s first book in my favorite Dreams series is gonna be a movie! I might actually faint when I see him again. Molly is excited about the movie too, but she cringes at Chance’s name. Hmmm. I wonder why? Then, she started complaining about how she’d finished reading my Chasing Dreams paperback, whining at me to read my Believe in Dreams so she can read it next. Normally, I don’t mind loaning them to her but for some reason, this paperback feels too special to me. I mean, Addie signed it to me. I love Molly, don’t get me wrong but some things are just too special to share. So, I told her to order her own. She hit me. On my shoulder. Not hard but still. Wench. They don’t start filming for several months and a small part will be filmed at my shop! I might get to be an extra! I’m not so sure that’s a good idea with my klutziness.

  It’s now Friday, we’d talked earlier in the week about going to the cabin for the weekend but I’m so freaking tired all the time and my stomach let’s go whenever it feels like it so we’re staying home. Jax wanted to continue working on the house stuff anyway, excited to get it all done, and I’m going to look at baby furniture and get ideas how to decorate the room. Thing is: I’m one of those kind of people that I want to know the gender before I start on their room because I don’t want just any color or decor. Right now? I think I need to start on another book and meet my next book boyfriend. I’m kinda thinking about making a Do Not Disturb sign saying “I’m with my next book boyfriend” to hang on the library door when I’m reading. Snort. Too much? I’m sure that’ll go over well.

  “Whatcha reading?”

  I look up and over the top of my paperback and smile. Caught me! I’m supposed to be researching all things baby and instead, I found myself in our library, sitting in the huge oversized chair, my feet perched on the matching footstool, reading. I can’t help it! I’m still madly in love and extremely dedicated to the fictional male hotties in romance novels. Yes, I still add to my book boyfriend list each time I finish one. “Um, Pretend You’re Mine?” I don’t know why I asked it like a question. It’s not like he’s heard of this book or knows anything about it.

  “Oh! I hear that’s a good one.” He walks over, takes a few tissues from the box on the end table and hands them to me. “Here. Better be ready. It’s a tearjerker.” What? I raise a brow in question. He smile and shrugs. “What? A macho male can’t like a good tear-jerking romance novel? I am very much in touch with my feminine side.” He winks.

  A laugh bursts free. “I’m pretty sure I’ve seen all your sides.” I wink back. God and what sides! “I happen to love each and every one of them.” I’m not too surprised that he knows all things romance novels, what with Addie being a romance author, and a bestselling one at that. And him, her business manager. Guess he does need to keep up on her writing so he’ll be the best at what he does. And that’s not all he’s the best at. Shit! One thing about being pregnant is I cannot get enough sex. I mean – between being in the bathroom and hugging the porcelain God and having sex, I’m surprised I have time to go to my shop or read! Okay, so sometimes pregnancy hormones aren’t that bad. Wink! Wink!

  As things continue to stay busy, making time fly way too quickly, it’s the next week and Friday early evening. I decided to head home from the shop around six. Even though it’s cold, at least the snow had melted yesterday so the sidewalk isn’t bad. Jax wanted to come pick me up in his SUV but I’m so used to walking and I love the fresh air – not to mention I need the exercise, I told him no. Besides, it’s not that far, and the weather is nice. Soon it won’t be, so I want to take advantage of it. Breathing in the fresh, crisp air, I smile all the way home, loving the look of the bared trees lining my street, the smell of winter, and the excitement of the holidays around the corner. I look behind me, slyly, seeing the bodyguard. With all the paparazzi around, Jax thought it best to hire bodyguards. Think of the movie The Bodyguard. Sighs. Although, this one is equally as handsome but never speaks. Tony. He resembles that mafia-type gansta kind of guy. Dressed in all black, fitting into the darkness seamlessly. The black sunglasses are a little too much outside at night. However, during the day? He sticks out like a sore thumb. Not obvious.

  Snorting to myself, I round the corner, punching in the code to open the gate attached to our high privacy fence. Once walking through, I hold on to it until Tony follows, then I smile continuing up the walk to our front door. Things are eerily quiet. The lights are off in the house. Did Jax go somewhere and not tell me. My heart begins hammering in my chest. Oh, my God! What if someone got in while I was at work? Tony was with me instead of being at home guarding him. Fear overtakes me and my stomach ties up in knots, the queasiness starting to build quickly. What if he’s hurt or worse – I swallow, hard. Dead.

  My hand shakes as I push the key into the lock, slowly opening the door. The rush of a cold wind blows around practically pushing me inside, and I look around, almost afraid of what I’ll see. Slowly, I walk more into the entrance, reaching up behind me and feeling the wall until I find the light switch. My hand is trembling, my entire body tense. Flipping on the light, I cringe, scared that my whole world might crumble before me.

  “Surprise!”

  Wait! What?

  Standing in the living room is Molly, Addie, Margo – Addie’s very strict and very hyper agent, Duncan, Jax, Juan, and our new employees, Bitsy – yes, that’s her real name, Alan – who I think secretly has his eyes on Duncan, and Jill. My hand covers my heart while the other covers my mouth. What the hell? Jax starts walking toward me smiling. “Happy Birthday, Coffee Girl.” He reaches out to me, the smell of his minty breath welcoming. Instead of running into his arms, like I want to, I run straight ahead, turning right at our office/library, and into the bathroom, trying to turn on the light, tripping on the bathroom rug and twisting my foot in an awkward position as I reach the toilet and get sick.

  Hours later, after an ER visit and a new hot pink cast on my foot ending right below my knee, I’m sitting in our living room, having a piece of Molly’s amazing birthday cake she made. “I’m so sorry for such a sucky birthday, baby. I really wanted it to be special.” Not the best birthday I’ve ever had but all my loved ones and friends are here.

  I let out a snort. “Well, it’s definitely been one for the memory book.” I take another bite of cake, and I might have moaned. Yes, it’s that good.

  “What’s a birthday without some klutziness and a broken foot?” Molly laughs as she sits down beside me on the couch. She’s right about that. I guess my g
ood luck of not hurting anyone had run its course.

  “But the presents and cake made up for it.” I chuckle.

  “Oh!” Addie exclaims. “There might be another surprise on your Kindle.” What?

  Quickly, I set down the plate, with my nearly gone piece of cake, onto the end table and pull my phone from my pocket, going straight to my Kindle app and hitting on sync, rather forcibly. You’d think with modern technology this would happen quickly but no. I wait with bated breath, knowing what’s to come. Finally, it’s done and I check my Kindle library. Lo and behold it’s the first draft of Addie’s new romance novel Waiting to Breathe. Squeeeeee! I hear a huff to my left and look at Molly, who’s frowning with her arms crossed over her chest, hoisting up her girls.

  “Don’t worry, Molly.” Addie laughs. “I brought you a little something too.” What? It’s not her birthday! I grumble internally while rolling my eyes. What a big baby.

  We all watch as Addie walks into the kitchen then back into the living room, carrying a perfectly wrapped package. She hands it to Molly, and of course, Molly smirks at me. Wench. She unwraps it, okay, rips the paper off in one fluid movement, and opens the lid of a box, smiling. She holds up the paperback of Believe in Dreams and gives me the stink eye. Okay, so I couldn’t bring myself to part with my beloved copy. Best friends are one thing but my paperbacks, I don’t share lightly.

  Then, the doorbell rings. Now who’s here? Everyone I know and love are already sitting here eating cake and having drinks. In fact, Bitsy looks a little like she’s had more than enough of her fair share of alcohol, something I can’t even have. Jealous? Definitely! No one else seems to care that Tony is standing next to the front door, on guard, since he’s pretty much become a permanent fixture in our lives. I watch him look through the peephole, and then he opens the door. Everyone’s oblivious, chatting away and laughing as Chance Geary walks inside. My heart lurches. Molly stiffens.

  “Sorry, I’m late.” He smiles, showing his fantastic straight white teeth. I swear I bought the toothpaste he advertised in that commercial he did.

  “Chance!” Addie walks over and they hug. “So glad you made it.”

  “Kill me,” Molly whispers, so quietly I barely heard her.

  Addie puts her arm through Chances and they walk into the living room. “Hey, Chance,” I say, smiling up at him and pretty freakin’ proud of myself that I didn’t stutter. That time. God knows I’ve done that enough around him. He looks down at my casted foot, setting on a large pillow on the coffee table, and frowns.

  “What in the hell did you do, Princess?” he asks. I snort at his nickname for me. He has a nickname for me!

  “Oh, you know, same ol’ thing, different day.” I laugh. Oh, my God! I’m getting really good at this! I wave my hand like it’s nothing, knocking the plate off the end table and onto the floor. Okay, maybe I’m not that much better.

  “I’ve got it,” Jax says smiling as he picks up the broken pieces. Sigh. Good thing he loves me and my klutziness.

  Chance walks over and I begin shaking as he picks up the sharpie setting on the coffee table that’s been used by everyone to sign my cast and looks up at me. “May I?” I nod, my entire body shaking now. Leaning down, he pulls off the cap and writes his name on my cast. He signed my cast! When I get if off, in about six weeks, I’m framing it! Looking to my left, my mouth open ready to speak, I shut it quickly and frown. When did Molly leave? I hear a noise in the kitchen and look at Chance. He smiles, winks, and after replacing the sharpie, I watch him walk into the kitchen. Is Molly in there?

  About half an hour later, my unplanned ER visit taking up so much of my party time, everyone begins to leave, giving me kisses and hugs from my spot on the couch. Duncan and Alan had to help the intoxicated Bitsy. It didn’t go unnoticed to me, the entire time, the secret looks Duncan and Alan had given each other. Is there something I should know about? Probably not, but you can be sure I’ll be quizzing them. Once Addie hugged me goodnight, she and Jill left for the enclosed walkway to her condo, through the door between the living room and hallway. Jill and Addie have been becoming close so Jill spends the night at her place frequently. I’m happy for Addie. Molly and I were pretty much her only friends, with the exception of the acquaintances of our employees. I can’t imagine that up until Addie started working for me, how lonely she was. I mean, she had Jax and her agent but Jax is her foster brother, yet more like blood siblings. That’s different.

  And speaking of Molly. She never came back from the kitchen. What the hell? And is Chance still in there? Hmmm. By the way she acts, she despises him. Then, she walks out of the kitchen, her skin flush, and she seems flustered. Interesting. “I’ll….” She can’t seem to look at me as she passes by, heading toward the door. “Uh – bye.” She’s stammering? At a loss for words? Molly?

  I turn my head as Chance emerges from the kitchen, sporting a wide grin. Huh. “Thanks for a great party, Princess. Happy Birthday.” He winks and walks toward the front door, still looking at me. “I’ll just make sure she gets home safely.” I hold in my snort until he’s gone. Little does he realize, he may need to be the one to keep safe. From Molly. She’d told me just the other day that she’d rather brush her teeth with a razor blade than be around him. God? I look up at the ceiling. Please protect Chance and his Hot Tamale from getting bashed in by the woman he seems so intently on trying to capture. Amen!

  Chapter 24

  Four months later....

  Routines change. The craziness of my shop, not so much. But then things happen that remind me just how happy I am. I’m six months pregnant now and feel as though I’m as big as a house. Of course, Molly reminds me by telling me that every day. Once my morning/afternoon/evening sickness finally ended, about two months ago, I’ve been eating everything I can get my hands on. What? Our baby loves it when I eat. Today, I’m getting a sonogram done. Whatever that is. I guess it’s kinda like they take a picture of the baby, and sometimes they can even tell the gender. I’m not sure how. I never had Mother to Be 101. I’m totally clueless.

  Right now? Jax and I are sitting around on the couch after having breakfast, leaving in about an hour for my doctor appointment. Gotta say, I’m a little nervous and wish Gram was here with me. I could sure use a woman to talk to especially one that’s been through this before. My mom you ask? Yeah, she never called back. Nothing. Just reaffirms how I’ll make sure that I’ll never be like her. Our baby will know love and most likely will be a little spoiled.

  “So, have you thought about any names, yet?” Jax asks me as he plays with my fingers. His touch still causes me to shiver.

  I look up into his eyes. “Have you?”

  He laughs. “Oh no! I’m not falling for that. I want to hear what you’ve thought.” Good move! He knows me too well.

  I give him a smile. “Well….” My fingers wrap around his. “I was kinda thinking Kyle, if it’s a boy, and Kaelyn Lorena, if it’s a girl.”

  He tilts his head, his brows lower. “Any special meaning for those names?”

  I let out a sigh. “Yes. Gram’s name was Kaelyn and my middle name is Lorena. I’d kinda like my first child to be named after her.” Suddenly, I feel selfish. I mean, this is his first child too. Sheesh, Rylie. Way to only think about yourself. “But we can name them after you too!” I add, quickly. Hmmm, does Kyle Hot Tamale sound too weird? What about Kaelyn Mint?

  I’m startled when he grasps my chin, turning me toward him and pressing his lips against mine. “I think the names you picked out are perfect, Coffee Girl.” Swoon! I still love it when he calls me that. Always will.

  About a half an hour later, we head off to the doctors in his SUV. I probably need the exercise but I’m too lazy and he insisted. Who am I to argue? At least that stupid cast is gone! I’m nervous and excited and apparently the baby is too. He or she is moving around like crazy! God! Now I wond
er if they are gonna be hyper like me. It would be nice if they’d be more laid back like their daddy. Once I’m situated on the table, my gown lifted over my large stomach, and my legs spread for everyone in the small room to see, Jax is by my side with a firm grip around my hand. Thank goodness it’s only us in here. Dr. Morgan presses an extremely cold wand against my stomach. I jump a little but then an image materializes on the screen, and I’m immediately in awe. Our baby moves around, a lot, yawning, opening its eyes, and then kicks me right in what feels like my ribs.

  “Very active! Would you like to know the gender or wait and be surprised?” Dr. Morgan asks.

  Turning my head, I look at Jax. He smiles and pats my hand he’s holding. Hmmm, we hadn’t really talked about it. “Yes. We’d like to know.” I blow out a breath. He knows how badly I hate surprises, plus, we can decorate the baby’s room how we want and have it ready for them.

  “Very good. Okay. Let’s see if this sweet baby will show themselves so we can tell their gender,” Dr. Morgan says. I turn back to face the screen, my eyes widening as he moves the wand around. It amazes me what these machines and instruments can do. I mean – that’s our baby. Right there! Moving around and – whoa! They’re sucking their thumb! I feel Jax squeeze my hand knowing he saw it too! “Okay, little baby. How about you reveal yourself,” Dr. Morgan keeps talking softly as he presses down on my stomach while moving around the wand. “There!” I can barely see through my tears as our baby spreads their legs and….