“Me neither. I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone. He was so awful for so long. But now that I’m getting to know him—”

“He’s actually turning out to be a good guy?”

I scoff. “I wouldn’t say good. Interesting, maybe. Layered. Complex. A little fucked up.”

“You’re in trouble,” Gracie says, still grinning.

I look down at the coffee. Let out a sigh. “Yeah.”

“Chin up.” She puts her hand on my arm. “You’re only tied to this guy for the rest of your life. You’ve got plenty of time to figure out how you feel about him.”

I laugh. “Thanks again for the impromptu delivery service.”

“Anytime. And don’t forget brunch tomorrow! The girls and I want to talk about your shower.”

“My shower?”

“You knew we’d want to throw you a baby shower. I know it’s early, but let’s at least pick a date and get you going on your registry, all right?”

I feel a familiar swelling in my throat. “Thank y’all. Really. I couldn’t do this without you.”

“It’s an honor to be part of your village.” She gives my arm a squeeze. “This sweet baby is gonna get a lot of love. See y’all later. And say hi to Greyson for me and Luke!”

I close the door and take a breath. I’m smiling and tearing up all at once.

The moment I found out I was pregnant, things were looking pretty grim. I felt like shit, I was having a baby with a guy I did not like, and I felt very, very alone.

But now, in the space of a couple months, all that has changed. I didn’t think I’d ever feel this full or this…hopeful, I guess, ever again.

I’m starting to see glimmers of the magic of parenthood everyone talks about.

I’m starting to get excited about this baby.

About being a mom.

“Jesus, Julia, I was worried you left.”

My stomach dips so hard and so suddenly at the sleep-roughed sound of Greyson’s voice, I nearly drop our coffees.

I spin around to find him standing in the hall a few paces from me. Barefoot. Dark hair everywhere. Blue eyes trained on mine as he runs a hand over his stubble.

My.

Fucking.

God.

Desire, hot and sudden, catches between my legs. Stays there, pulsing.

“My bed was empty,” he continues, crossing his arms over the barrel of his chest. “Couldn’t find you anywhere. Thought maybe I’d scared you off.”

“Lucky for you, I don’t scare easy,” I manage. “Even when you’re being your growly Satanist self.”

His eyes do that thing where they light up. Smile. He nods at the goodies in my hands.

“What’d ya get?”

“Breakfast. From Holy City Roasters. Wasn’t sure how you took your coffee, so I went with black.”

“Like my soul?”

I grin. “Exactly.”

“Lucky for you, that’s actually how I like it. C’mon.” He tilts his head toward the kitchen. “Let’s eat.”

Chapter Seventeen

Julia

“So I was thinking,” Greyson says, licking a stray bit of melted cheese from the tip of his first finger.