If they find out I’m pregnant from the get-go, how can they not think I’ll ruin his focus?
When we pull up to his house, I take a deep breath. “Stay close in case I pass out.”
He chuckles and helps me out of his truck. “It’ll be fine. Wait and see.”
I love this about him. How he’s always so damn calm. Between my dad dying when I was a kid, my mom always struggling to make ends meet, my sister needing so much hands-on attention, and my high-strung brother, calm does not run in my genes. I always feel like I’m on the brink of disaster.
When we’re on the porch, Olly puts his hand on the small of my back. “You ready?”
He looks at me expectantly, and I don’t want to let him know I’m a wimp who wants to scurry back home before anyone sees us, so I nod. And jeez, the smile he gives me makes me feel bad for not being gutsier.
“We’re here,” he yells as he pulls open the screen door and walks in, tugging me behind him.
The Olivers live in a modest, one-story ranch with a definite seventies vibe. Dark wood paneling and curio cabinets and doilies decorate the living room, which is packed with people.
“Michael! Over here!” someone shouts.
When we reach the kitchen, Olly stops and pulls his arm around my shoulders. I feel like my heart is about to pound out of my throat. It doesn’t help that smelling all this food is making me sick to my stomach.
I rub my belly. Come on, babies. Don’t make me hurl!
Kayla, Wendy, and Ted freeze when they see us. And they don’t say a word as they look from me to Olly and back again.
Kayla is the first one to break the ice. “Holy shit. Are y’all together? Like, together?”
Heat rushes to my face, and I squeak as Olly hugs me. If I weren’t on the verge of puking, I’d hug him back.
“Yup! I am officially dating Magnolia Morales,” he says proudly. “Wanted you to be the first to know.”
Jesus. Olly and his declarations.
I laugh and bury my face in his chest.
Wendy claps and runs up to us, tears me out of Olly’s arms, and hugs me. “You’re really dating my son? This isn’t a big joke?”
I smile. “I swear this is not a prank.”
Kayla is next in line for hugs. “Please tell me this bit of mystery happened at my wedding.”
Olly nods. “For once, you actually deserve all the credit, Kay. Had Maggie and I not been paired up that weekend, she’d probably still be fantasizing about slashing my tires.”
“Ha-ha, funny man.” I elbow him in the gut, which, ow. Those are some hard muscles.
Ted smiles and hugs his giant son. “Gotta get the good ones before they swim away, I always say.”
Aww, his dad is sweet.
Wendy covers her mouth. “Honey,” she says to Olly, “I didn’t know you were bringing anyone, and Uncle Al and Aunt Sherry are staying the night.” She turns to me. “I hope you don’t mind squeezing on a full bed with Michael, because otherwise I don’t know where to put you.”
A full bed is smaller than a queen, which means my giant boyfriend will take up most of that space.
Based on the look Olly gives me, he thinks this is a fantastic idea.
I’m sure my cheeks are blazing when I tell his mother the truth. “I don’t mind sleeping with Olly.”
Am I ready for this? I’m not sure.
But I want to be ready.
