“How are you feeling?” I asked, figuring that was a good place to start.
She offered a closed-lip smile before reaching forward to turn off the monitor and stand. “Good. And you?”
“Good.” For the first time in a long time, it wasn’t a lie. “You still want to see my family tonight? I can always postpone?—”
She stepped out from behind the desk, setting a hand on my chest. “I want to go.”
Every cell in my body froze, raising its head to the feel of her. When we’d touched earlier, it had felt the same. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into me and skip all the rest. But I didn’t know if that’s what she really wanted, and I wouldn’t be selfish enough to add that to her plate. She had enough to deal with already.
She removed her hand from my chest, staring at the place it’d once been like she’d felt it too. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
Being this close to her gave me too much opportunity to do exactly what I wanted to, so I moved to the coat rack by the door. I grabbed hers, handing it to her when she followed, before sliding my arms into my own.
“Sage knows someone is pregnant, but no one knows that it’s you. I don’t know if Wyatt told them anything, so…” I didn’t know how the fuck to ask if she wanted me to pretend around them, too.
A look of shame crossed her features, and she ducked her head as she tugged her jacket on. Her left arm gotstuck halfway through and she wiggled it to try to rectify it, but her attempt was futile.
“Here.” I walked around her, straightening the sleeve and tugging it a bit so she could maneuver herself into it more easily.
“Thanks.” She messed with the cuff like it needed fixing. “I should probably get new clothes soon. These are getting a little tight.”
“The girls would probably love to go shopping with you,” I offered. I’d have volunteered to go with, but she likely wanted space from me. We were living in the same house and working at the same place. The last thing I wanted to do was suffocate her.
She slowly turned in place, our chests brushing when she came face-to-face with me. “I’d love that.”
I nodded, but I didn’t really know what I was nodding to. Not as her eyes sucked me in and a thousand flashes of memories blared in my head. Her riding me in my truck. Her laughing on her horse. Her crying on the side of the road instead of being at school. So many versions of Parker, and I’d loved all of them. This version, though… She was almost a stranger, and I hated it. Same Parker, but…different.
Her voice was quieter, the red of her cheeks brighter, the hope in her eyes deeper, as she said, “I’m ready to go.”
But even with her words, I couldn’t force myself out of this stupor. My hand moved of its own accord, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She woregold studs today, the color bringing out the flecks of yellow in her hazel eyes.
I hadn’t realized I’d drifted closer as she whispered my name. “Beckham.”
It was a warning and a plea. Confusing and alluring. Would it be so bad if we went back to how things were before she left? Would she hate me if I tried?
My phone ringing in my jacket didn’t give me the chance to try.
With a sigh, I stepped back and pulled my phone out.
“Yes?”
“Lettie’s asking how far away you are. Charlotte needs to know when to put the casserole in the oven,” Bailey said. A horse whinnied in the background, and I suspected he was out feeding the animals their dinner.
“We’re leaving the shop now.” My tone was a bit harsh when I should’ve been thanking him. He’d unknowingly stopped me from making a grave mistake. How did I know that testing the waters wouldn’t result in Parker leaving? Right now, she and the baby came first. I could settle for my fist in the shower and just the thought of her. Hell, I’d do that forever if I had to.
“Alright. I’ll tell her. Don’t drive like an idiot.”
“To a family dinner? Never. I drive like a grandpa.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice. I already knew that.”
I frowned before we said our goodbyes and hung up.
I pocketed the phone, finding Parker staring out the glass door to the parking lot. The setting sun cast rays ofrich pink across the black asphalt, reflecting hints of strawberry hues into the lobby.
“That was Bailey,” I explained. “Lettie’s impatient.”
