Immediately her stomach swooped when she realized Birdie had messaged her.
Ran into your mom earlier. She thanked me for letting you stay at my place so I could watch over you while you have the flu? I told her it was no problem… just checking in that you’re being safe, wherever you actually are staying.
I’m so sorry! I meant to text you earlier and fell asleep. I’m with Hawk. I am sick, but it’s not the flu and I’m just not ready to deal with the family. Can we have coffee in the morning and I’ll fill you in?
God, Jess. I was about to call Colt to come find you!
No! No brothers. Not even Beau. Please!
Are you okay?
Yes. I’ll explain everything. The park at nine? By that tree Beau fell out of the time he was spying on us when you were babysitting me?
Dying laughing at that! Yes, okay. I’ll bring the coffee. See you then.
You’re the best. Thank you!
“Everything okay?” Hawk asked as he walked into the room. Her eyes popped off the screen just in time to see him tug at the bottom of his shirt with one hand, pulling it up over his stomach, and chest, and then over his head. Hawk’s eyes landed on hers and he smirked.
“Like what you see, mama?”
Jessie cleared her throat and nodded. “Yeah,daddy.I do.”
Hawk groaned as he turned to the closet. “Don’t distract me. Are you okay?”
“Don’t distractyou?” she cackled. “I’m not the one who walked in here whipping off clothes and flexing all my muscles.”
“Jess…”
“Yes. Everything’s fine. I forgot to tell Birdie I used her as my alibi with my mom earlier. But it all worked out. I just have to meet her for coffee tomorrow morning in the park. I’ll explain everything then.”
“You’re ready to tell someone outside of my family?”
Jessie nodded. “I’m hoping she’ll agree to be my provider during my pregnancy. I won’t have to worry about her spilling the beans to anyone in my family if she’s looking after me and the baby.”
“Is that what you want? You don’t think a doctor would be better? You’ve been so sick, what if there are more complications? Maybe we should think about seeing someone with hospital privileges.”
God, she almost laughed. His concern was adorable. “She practices out of the hospital. That’s fully where I plan on having the baby. And the thought of her delivering the baby makes me feel calm.”
He sat on the edge of the bed. Laying on her side had been the most comfortable position lately, and it allowed for his hand to rest on her hip. “Okay. If you feel more comfortable seeing a midwife, then that’s the route we go.”
“Just like that? You’re on board with me making that call?”
“It’s your body, so yeah. It’s my job to support you, Jess. In whatever way I can.” His fingers started rubbing circles into her tight muscles. “And I could do that better if you were here with me all the time.”
“Smooth,” she sighed. “I promise I’ll think about it, okay?”
“I’ll take it. Now, how about some cuddles and a movie? I’ll even let you pick.”
“You’re going to regret that.” Jessie smiled as Hawk got up and moved to his side of the bed. No. The whole bed was his. She was just a guest there.
But it could be something more. Something permanent. She rolled to her other side, now in the middle of the bed, waiting for him to get in beside her. And as soon as he did, Jessie moved so her body was pressed against his. Her head rested on his shoulder while his arm banded around her back. She felt grounded, and cozy, and….safe.
“What are you thinking, Pretty Girl?”
“Pride and Prejudice.” She expected him to huff, or roll his eyes, but Hawk just smiled down at her.
“That sounds good to me. I don’t think I own it…”
