I took the knife I’d found in the utensil drawer—it had only taken me five drawers before I found the right one—then cut the sandwich I’d put on the plate into a triangle before answering.
“Of course, there’s enough. I made it for you. I figured it might be easy to keep down in case your tummy is still not great. I found some ginger tea on the counter and made you a cup of that to go with it.”
Preston looked at the plate with my very best attempt at grilled cheese and remained quiet. Shit. What had I fucked up now?
“Preston, is it okay? I can make something else if you want.”
He looked up from the plate and the tear running down his cheek made my heart hurt. “Hey, it’s okay. I’ll take it and make you something else, okay?” I reached for the offending plate to take it away, but Preston grabbed it before I could reach it.
“No! It’s perfect. When I was little, my mom used to make me grilled cheese when I was sick. I had forgotten until now. She even cut them into triangles for me.”
He sat on the barstool at the counter, gingerly picked up one of the bread and cheese triangles, and took a small bite. His eyes slid closed, and a smile lit his face. “It’s just like I remember, Joe. I think I can actually eat.”
And he did. Preston ate the whole sandwich. He did it very slowly and sipped his tea between bites, but when he was done, his face had better color, and his smile was less strained than it had been for weeks. My work here was done for now. It was getting late, and we both had class tomorrow.
“Do you want anything else before I go?” I put up the last of the dishes I’d washed and wiped the counter down.
“Um, no.” He hesitated like he wanted to say something but then thought better of it and simply replied, “I think I’m good. Thank you for everything you did for me tonight.” The blush that tinged his cheeks above his robe had me wondering what he’d just thought. Then he must have decided to go for it. “Will you maybe stay here tonight? I mean, you could stay in the guest room. I left my car on campus, and if you leave, I won’t have an easy way to get to work in the morning.” The blush kept creeping up his face and started creeping down onto the small patch of chest that I could see at the top of his robe. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
I dropped the rag I had used on the counter into the sink, picked up my bag, and walked back to the guest room, leaving it on the bed before coming back. “There, all set.” I held out my hand, and Preston placed his smaller hand into mine. I tugged gently toward the sofa. “Since I don’t have to drive home, let’s sit on the sofa and watch a show or something. What do you think?”
Preston walked over, and I let him sit down first. It was his sofa, after all, and I was sure he had a favorite place to curl up. He shyly patted the cushion next to him when he was situated in the corner of the sectional. “Would you mind sitting next to me? For some reason, I’m feeling better with you here.”
That was all the encouragement I needed. I sat down, pulled him into my side, swung my arm around his shoulders, then let him scoot around until he was curled into me with his head on my shoulder. I let him pick the show, which was one of my favorites, and we watched until we both fell asleep. It was the most peaceful and enjoyable night of my life.
When I woke up the next morning, the heavy weight of Preston curled into me gave me a warm glow. He fit perfectly in my arms. While I stared down at him, his sleepy eyes opened. His soft brown eyes were so full of warmth I let out a sigh. Without thought, I gave into my impulse, leaned down, and kissed him gently.
“Good morning, handsome. Did you sleep well?”
Preston smiled and was just about to answer when his whole face turned white with a tinge of green. “Oh, God.” Slapping his hand over his mouth, he stumbled off the sofa, pulling his robe out from under his feet along the way to run to the guest bathroom before he threw up.
It was time to have the difficult conversation I’d been thinking about since last night. I retrieved the box I’d bought and went to the guest bath in time to see Preston swishing with the mouthwash I’d left on the counter.
“I’m so sorry about that. I thought I was better last night, but I’m still sick.” Leaning back on the bathroom counter, Preston wrapped his robe tighter around him and looked about ready to cry again. "I’m worried, Joe.”
I reached out with my hand. There was no hesitation this time, so when he grasped my hand, I laid it all out for him.
“Preston, will you take a pregnancy test for me? I knotted you, and I didn’t hold back that night. I’ve never felt like that before. It was like I couldn’t say no. I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop until I bred you and made you mine.”
Preston sighed and closed his eyes.
“Don’t be cruel, Joe. It’s not a good look.”
“Preston, I would never do that to you.” I touched his chin with a finger until he lifted his gaze back to mine. “I would never be cruel to you. Never. I feel something when I’m with you. I’ve read about true mates, and I’m not gonna say that’s what this is, but it’s not just lust for me.”
He scanned my face, then looked me in the eye. “I know there’s something here. I’ve known it since you were in my class two years ago, honestly, but the doctor told me…”
“I don’t give a fuck what the doctor told you, Pres. If we’re truly mates, the rules don’t apply. Please just trust me one last time.” I took the pregnancy test box out of the back of my waistband and set it on the counter by him. “Take the test and we’ll know where to go from here. No matter what, I’ll be here. Okay?”
Preston picked up the test, turned it over, then read the instructions.
I left the bathroom to go sit on the sofa and wait. We’d know the results in a few minutes if he took the test. If he didn’t…we’d make an appointment with his doctor. Either way, I was keeping my promise. No matter what, Preston wouldn’t have to go through anything alone anymore.
7
PRESTON
Weeks ago, I had been mourning my fate. I was told I would never have a family or a child of my own. I was crushed and desolate at the fact I would be alone forever.
