Free Rise: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 2) by Aspen Drake

other hand.” I pump my fist in the air like I’m angry.
    Amy laughs. “Okay, but you didn’t hear it from me.”
    Amy closes her eyes and lets me work on her hair. After thirty minutes, I’m happy with what I’ve created.
    “Ready?” I spin her back around toward the mirror.
    Amy opens her eyes and appears shocked by her new look. “Oh my god, Carly. I love it!”
    “And it should be easy for you to fix in the morning. Just throw some styling cream and a brush through it and you’ll be all set.”
    She pulls herself out of the chair and gives me a huge hug, fresh tears falling down her face. “Thank you. It’s just what I needed.”
    “You’re welcome, sweetie.”
    Amy practically bounces in front of me. “I can’t wait to show Nate. He’ll love it too.”
    “You look great. I saw this style and just knew it would be perfect for you. Now we can see your face in full pregnancy-glowing glory.”
    “Speaking of glowing.” Amy looks at me with a pointed expression. “You seem to be doing that a bit yourself today.”
    “Well, Noah’s back.” I chuckle sheepishly, suddenly embarrassed to be referring to all the great sex I’ve been having lately.
    “I don’t know.” She eyes me up and down. “You look different than before.”
    “Probably because we’re doing it all the time.” I can’t help but laugh as Amy gives me wide-eyed look.
    “Maybe,” she says, walking back over to her station and preparing for her next client.
    Amy’s comments have me looking at myself in the mirror. Am I glowing? I’ve been feeling a little tired lately so I should look exhausted more than anything. My mind starts to count down days in my head.
    It couldn’t be… Could it?
    I pull out my phone and check the calendar. Flipping back through the weeks, I look for the red label I always add when I start my period. I used to have issues with being regular so my doctor had me start tracking when I was in college and the habit stuck. After searching longer than I expect, I find it.
    Six weeks ago.
    Is that right? Contemplating the past month, maybe I forgot to note it with everything happening with Noah and the search. I was distracted so it’s not impossible that I forgot to write down when my last period came.
    Although, I’m fairly positive it’s been longer than a few weeks since I last had it. In fact, it does seem like it was over a month ago. Maybe the stress I’ve been under lately is causing me to become irregular again. That’s the most likely scenario.
    Over and over, the past several weeks play out in my head. The trip to New Orleans, the weeks leading up to us leaving. My training trip was just over a month ago… and my last period was a few weeks before that so the timing does work.
    Holy shit.
    The realization that I could be pregnant finally hits me and my stomach becomes queasy.
    “Are you okay?” Amy asks from across the way.
    “Yeah, I’m fine.” I busy myself at my station, thinking about how I need to hit the first pharmacy I come across before heading home.

 
     
     
    Chapter Eleven
    Mason
     
    This past week has been amazing. Getting to know Beth and Isla has been one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. Something about the dynamic of our little trio just works. Beth is incredible…as a woman and as a mom. She’s witty yet still commanding, which is a complete turn on.
    And Isla is the perfect picture of adorable. She still calls me Mr. Mason, but I’m working on getting her to just call me Mason, despite Beth’s mock glare of disapproval whenever I mention it.
    Pulling into the lot behind the bakery, I find a spot near the front. Cody and Becca are chatting near the door. I give them both a wave, hoping I’m not walking into a firestorm. “Hey, guys.”
    “Hey, Mason.” Cody waves to me then says a few more words to Becca before revving up his bike and pulling out of the lot.
    My eyes follow him until he’s out of view. Turning my attention to Becca, I notice she