Stalking His Bride - Lucy Darling Page 0,1

navigate whatever this thing is that I’m feeling toward Carly.

“Just reminding you that I’m here if you need anything.”

“I’m fine.” He sits up a little straighter when the sounds of the girls’ laughter draw closer.

“Reed.” Tinsley calls for him. He’s on his feet instantly heading out of his office to find his soon-to-be wife. “Reed, stop.” I hear Tinsley laugh more. “I’m seeing Carly out.” Now I’m on my feet. That’s something I can definitely help with.

“I can find my own way out. See you love birds later.” I head for the door to see Carly coming down the hallway as Reed is taking off with Tinsley. I’m sure they are headed to the bedroom. The more time he’s with her the more barbaric he becomes.

“Hi,” Carly chirps when she sees me. Her big brown eyes stare up at me in surprise. “I swear every time I turn around I’m almost running into you.” She lets out a small laugh. I am really starting to understand some of my cousin’s ways. Maybe I should take a page from his playbook. I wonder if simply picking up the girl and taking her back to my bedroom would work for me the same way it seemed to work for him. The only difference is, I’m not with the girl yet, and there’s a possibility that she could already be pregnant. So I don’t think his method is going to work for me.

I paste an easy smile on my face. “I’m around a lot.” I lean up against the door frame.” It’s been a week since I came face to face with Carly Becks. She has no idea she’s taken over my life. But she has. I couldn’t stop thinking about her standing in the middle of a pharmacy with a pregnancy test in hand. There are so many questions I need answered but haven't had the opportunity to ask.

“I guess we’ll see each other a lot. You want to grab dinner?” She leans in closer to me. “I’ve got to plan the bachelorette party. I’m sure you’re doing the bachelor party.”

“Dinner sounds good.” I push off the doorframe. Not letting her know there is no way Reed would ever go for a bachelorette party. Fuck, there is also no way I am getting his ass to agree to a bachelor party either. I hadn't even brought it up. Because I know the answer will be no. “Are you craving anything in particular? I know sometimes you may want something specific.” At least that’s what the pregnancy book said.

“Not really.” She looks at me, confused. “I’m just hungry.” She reaches down to pat her belly. My eyes follow. She’s soft all over.

“Any allergies? Sensitivities? Anything that makes you sick?” I can’t seem to stop my mouth. She shakes her head no. The need to know everything rides me hard. She’s looking at me as if I’m out of my damn mind now. I need to get myself under control. She’s going to think I’m fucking nuts. After this last week she might be right. “How about we hit up the diner down the street?” They have a good selection so I know she’ll find something there.

“Sounds like a plan.” She is still giving me a puzzled look. I offer her my arm to take. She hesitates for a minute before she does.

I don’t care if she is pregnant or not. I haven’t seen her with a man around her in the last week. That is their loss.

Carly Becks is now mine. Pregnant or not.

2

Carly

I swear James gets more attractive every time I see him. And I almost see him every freaking day, one way or another. I either run into him at the store or on the street, but without fail it seems like we frequent a lot of the same places. I’ve begun to look forward to seeing him at Reed and Tinsley’s. I was surprised today when I noticed he wasn’t in his normal suit.

It is impossible not to notice him when he’s in jeans and a black shirt that stretches across his broad chest. I had to stop myself from reaching out to run my hand down it. I stopped myself because I don’t want him to think I'm a weirdo.

I keep my arm locked around his as we head down the street to whatever restaurant he picked. I am still getting used to the city and have no idea where anything is. I’ve spent my whole life in suburbia.