Page 136 of The Friend Zone

“And how’s my Baby G? You being good for Mommy?” A dull thud vibrates my insides as Baby G kicks. Gray chuckles and gives the spot another kiss. “Yep, Daddy’s home. All is right with the world once more.”

I run a soothing hand over my side. At eight and a half months pregnant, I’m ready for the little guy to come out. Fi called us crazy when we decided to have a baby so soon. But something had happened to us after the miscarriage. A seed of want had been planted.

So, yes, we’re both just starting out in our careers, but we also want to start a family. And because we’ve decided to live life how we want, when we want it, we decided not to wait any longer.

It might be difficult. But we’ll manage.

“You don’t find it ominous that Little Dude here kicks your face every time you put it near me?” I ask, smiling down at Gray, who continues to baby talk against my belly.

“You’re just jealous that he responds to my voice,” Gray says happily.

“He responds because your voice is so loud,” I retort, teasing him.

“I’m not the one who’s loud. Have you heard yourself when you—”

I end that line of conversation with a hand to his mouth. Grinning like a fiend, Gray jumps to his feet. People are starting to notice him, or rather who he is. I’m pretty sure a few camera phones went off when he was kissing The Belly. It’s the price of fame. But Gray doesn’t let it bother him. He simply grabs his duffel and takes my hand in his.

“Uncle Drew gave us a little hat for Baby G.” Gray directs this toward my belly as we walk along. “I told him we’d use it for target practice come toilet training.”

“You do realize that I practically grew up in New York, and that’s like my home team?”

He halts and gives me an outraged look. “Hush your mouth, Mac. Little Dude might hear you.”

I roll my eyes. “Won’t matter if he did. Because our favorite team will always be the one you’re on.”

Gray’s eyes light up, but his smile is soft. His bag lands on the linoleum floor with a thud. A little shiver goes through me as he cups my cheeks. His mouth meets mine, the kiss so tender it makes my chest clench, but there’s heat behind it. A promise for later.

When he draws away, his voice is husky. “Take me home, Mac. We’ve got shenanigans to get to.”