Wild for You (Hot Jocks #6)(54)

Tonight will be refreshing, if nothing else. Besides, Elise has made serious promises of pizza delivery, and I’m starving.

The kitchen is mostly unpacked and organized, being my favorite room in any living situation. I’m too daunted by my lack of baby necessities to touch the nursery yet. The living room (or maybe it’s a den?) is suitable enough for company. I just hope no one wants a tour, because my bedroom isn’t ready for guests.

After breaking down a couple more empty cardboard boxes, I carry them to the alley, a leashed Hobbes leading the way. After a long walk around the block—long enough to let him sniff every exciting new twig, leaf, and fire hydrant—we head back home. I fumble awkwardly with my new keys. You’ll get used to them.

When I get the door open, Hobbes tears inside, a completely new dog compared to the timid little thing he was this morning. He rounds the whole apartment, coming to a halt at my feet with a wagging tongue to match his tail.

I scoop him into my arms, eliciting a happy yip. Together, we plop down onto the couch for an impromptu cuddle session. I don’t realize how exhausted I am until I sink into the plush cushions of the couch. I’m a goner before I know it.

? ? ?

I wake up to the sound of an apartment buzzer. I jolt upright, unfamiliar with the tone. Hobbes runs to the window, barking. With a little effort, I push myself up from the couch, hobbling to the intercom.

“Hello?”

The voices that come through are scrambled and very, very enthusiastic.

“Ana—babe— Can—let—in? Downstairs—”

“Come in, come in!” I laugh as I punch the door button, and soon I hear the sounds of three pairs of feet charging up the stairs.

Elise is the first to enter when I open the door.

“Oh my God, Ana! This place is perfect,” she says with a gasp. She reaches out to squeeze my arm while her gaze travels from one wall to another.

“It’s a good size,” Sara says with a smile and a nod, stepping in just behind Elise. “Hi, Ana. Thanks for having us.”

I get a whiff of an enviable perfume when she leans in to hug me.

“Of course,” I say with a smile, closing the door after Bailey steps in, all smiles and wide eyes. My place is kind of cramped with this much energy. But it’s nice too. It was really quiet before.

“Hi, puppy!” Bailey kneels down immediately to pamper Hobbes, who attacks her fingers with kisses of the sloppy variety. She looks up at me with a question on her lips.

“How are you feeling?” Bailey, the doctor, asks. She looks me up and down, and I find myself smoothing my tousled hair.

“Sleepy, mostly,” I say with a chuckle.

“That’s totally normal.” Bailey gives me her dazzling smile.

“That’s a relief.” I sigh and wave the women toward the couch. “I haven’t had time to set up the TV, but I’ve got my laptop if you want some background noise.”

“Speaking of background noise,” Elise says in a singsong voice, pulling a small package from her purse wrapped in bright yellow tissue paper with white polka dots.

A gift? “What’s that?”

“Open it!” Elise practically squeals, tossing the package to me and plopping down on the couch. There are a couple other presents—a dark pink envelope resting on Sara’s knees and a purple gift bag resting at Bailey’s feet.

What’s going on?

With a little suspicion in my expression, I carefully unwrap the present, revealing a high-tech baby monitor that promises to hook up with my phone. It looks expensive.

“Oh my gosh,” I whisper, searching for answers in the expectant faces of my friends. I clasp the gift to my heart and struggle to find words.

“You look like you’re about to have a heart attack. It’s just a little informal baby shower for an amazing woman,” Sara says matter-of-factly, giving me a warm look.

“We wanted to spoil you!” Bailey cries out, beaming from the couch cushions. “Please let us.”

That pesky lump is making a home in my throat again, and my eyes are welling up with tears. These dang hormones have me crying 24/7.

“You guys didn’t have to do that.”

After several protests that, yes, they did indeed have to do that, I open the other two presents. From Sara, I receive a gift card to a local baby boutique for a dollar amount that makes my jaw drop. Oh, to have an attorney’s salary . . .

“Their stuff is pretty damn cute, or you could just blow it all on a top-of-the-line stroller,” Sara says with a sly smile.

I reach out to her with both arms, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Thank you,” I whisper.

She rubs my back comfortingly. “You got it, babe,” she whispers back with a chuckle.

“Me next!” Bailey chirps, shoving a gift bag at me with an enthusiasm I’ll never replicate.

Tossing the tissue paper to the side, I discover an assortment of small, thoughtful gifts: a baby thermometer, seven cloth diapers, a package that contains bottles with an assortment of different-sized nipples, a plush elephant stuffed animal, and a soft gray blanket.

Rubbing the material of the exquisitely soft blanket between thumb and forefinger, I look up at Bailey, who watches me with a knowing grin.

“I’m gonna love your kid so much.” Bailey sighs happily. “I can already tell.”