“Hey,” Felix protests.
“No,” I say at the same time. “How does that help the situation?”
“It doesn’t, but it made me feel better.” Ian grins, apparently satisfied with his unnecessary defense of my honor. “And it put him on notice in case he hurts?—”
“I’m not going to hurt her,” Felix grumbles.
“Then we’re good.” Ian wraps an arm around Sadie’s shoulder. “We should go.”
“You guys can stay,” Felix says quickly. “It’s your house.”
“Right,” I agree. “Felix and I can?—”
“We just came up to check on Piper,” Sadie interrupts, giving me a meaningful look. “You’ve been weird in your texts. Not answering calls.”
“Now we know why,” Ian adds with a smirk that earns him an elbow from Sadie.
“We’ll get out of your hair,” Sadie continues. “I’m guessing you two have some things to talk through.”
The thought makes my lungs feel like they’re being squeezed in giant NFL player hands. “It’s an hour and a half back home,” I protest weakly. “You should stay.”
“We’re fine.” Sadie walks forward and pulls me in for another hug. “Call me later.” She lowers her voice and says against my ear, “Remember, you’re stronger than you think.”
I don’t feel strong at the moment. I feel weak and overwhelmed. And like I just want to sit on the couch and eat my weight in sourdough.
Ian gives Felix one more warning look—the kind only an older brother can pull off—before scooping up Beast and following Sadie to the door.
Then they’re gone, and it’s just me and Felix in the kitchen, the silence so loud that it almost hurts my ears.
There’s a red mark blooming across his cheek. “That’s going to bruise. You need some ice or a pack of frozen peas.”
One corner of his mouth lifts. “I’ll survive.”
“You didn’t deserve it.”
“Oh, I definitely deserved it.” He meets my eyes. “We should talk.”
“Yeah.” My arms wrap around myself automatically. “We should.”
But neither of us moves, and the space between us feels like endless miles I don’t know how to cross. Not when I’m afraid anything I say could heighten the awkwardness between us.
“This morning was…um…” Felix runs a hand through his perpetually tousled hair. “A lot.”
I choke out a small laugh. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Especially since neither of us got much sleep.” His eyes darken slightly, and I feel heat creep up my neck.
I don’t answer. I’m not sure I can without revealing what last night meant to me. And I’m sure as hell not ready for that. What would I even say? ‘Yeah, last night was amazing. And by the way, I’m already halfway in love with you and terrified that our baby is going to be born into a situation where their father is looking for an exit strategy?’
Felix frowns at my silence, then tilts his head. “I think I heard Ellie.”
I glance at the monitor on the counter, which is not making a sound. “I don’t hear anything.”
“I definitely heard her.” He’s already moving toward the stairs. “I should check. She had a rough morning, too.”
“I can do that,” I say, moving to follow him. “I’m the nanny, remember?”
He stops moving, back to me and shoulders rigid. When he turns around, his expression is neutral in a way I’m coming to recognize—one that means he’s pissed. “Despite what some people think, I’m capable of handling my responsibilities.”
