Now and Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

whispered.
    He kissed her forehead. “It’s gonna be okay. Promise.”
    Emma’s mother came into the kitchen and smiled at them. “Wine, you two?”
    “None for me,” Emma said. Her mom gave her a confused glance. “I’m just . . . not feeling so great.” It was true, she’d been puking all the time and spent most of her time at home in bed. Cole hated seeing her so miserable and not being able to do anything about it.
    Layla’s laugh burst through the front door.
    “Finally,” Cole muttered. Layla and Ben both looked extra happy when they came in to the kitchen.
    “Where’s Dad?” Layla asked.
    “In here,” he called from his office.
    “Come to the kitchen!” she cried.
    “What’s going on, honey?” Eliza Carson’s eyes widened when Layla held up a hand bearing a large, sparkling diamond. Mrs. Carson threw one hand over her mouth and another over her chest, beaming with excitement.
    “Layla! Oh, Layla!”
    Emma’s body sagged against Cole for a second before she met his gaze briefly. He got the message. They wouldn’t be sharing their news tonight. Then she sprang to life, crossing the room to hug her sister and admire the ring.
    “Congrats, man,” Cole said to Ben, extending his hand.
    “Thanks,” Ben said.
    This was the worst fucking timing Cole could have imagined. He’d been thinking about bringing up marriage with Em since she’d told him she was pregnant, but it was never a good time. She was still upset. Now if he brought it up, she’d think he was doing it because of Layla and Ben.
    Em and Layla’s father, Shawn, came in to the room with a knowing smile.
    “She said yes,” Ben said, taking Shawn’s extended hand and shaking it.
    “I never doubted she would,” Shawn said. “Congratulations, son.”
    “You knew?” Eliza turned to her husband, her eyes wide with surprise.
    “We met up last week and he asked for my blessing. I thought you’d like to hear the news from Layla.”
    Layla gazed up at Ben, grinning. “You asked my father? That’s so sweet.”
    “Sweet’s my middle name,” Ben said, winking at her.
    Cole turned to the fridge to find a beer, sighing. It’d been a bitch of a day. One of the other junior attorneys at the firm had quit. Since he had access to information the firm didn’t want him sharing, like client lists, he’d been led out of the office immediately and his caseload had been shifted to others. Cole didn’t know how he’d find time for the extra work. He was drained as it was.
    But he’d soon have a family to provide for, and he needed to prove himself at the firm so he could move up. Emma was worried about paying back her construction loan, and he wanted to ease her stress.
    She came over and leaned against his chest. He smiled. He liked having her close enough to take in her warm vanilla scent. Lately she hadn’t been up for a lot of closeness because she was so sick and exhausted all the time.
    “Hey,” he whispered against the hair that fell over her ear, “I love you.”
    “Me too,” she said, humming with satisfaction when he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. She made him forget what a long day it’d been. No matter how stressful work got, Emma was the one person who always decompressed him immediately. She was the one, he was sure of that. And their baby growing inside her would bring them even closer together.
    ***
    Emma’s smile didn’t reach her eyes when she greeted Layla and slid into the booth across from her.
    “Hey, how are you?” Layla asked.
    “I’m okay. How are the wedding plans coming?”
    A waiter carrying a tray full of food paused beside their table. “Drinks?”
    “We’d like a wine menu when you get a chance,” Layla said.
    “Sure.”
    “Just water for me,” Emma said.
    “You always have wine when we get lunch,” Layla said when the waiter moved on.
    Emma shrugged nonchalantly.
    “Is it . . . Are you on a budget?” Layla asked. “Because I’d be glad to buy