Easton climbs to his feet. “I’ll carry her.”
When he picks her up, she mumbles, “I want to sleep by Nova.”
He gives me a questioning look as I stand up, and I quickly nod. “Sure. Let’s take her to my room.”
“Will you switch off all the lights?” he asks as he heads toward the stairs.
“Okay.” I pick up the bowl, uneaten chocolate, and empty juice box and carry them to the kitchen. Before I switch off the lights, I glance through the living room. “Night, Rach.”
My heart squeezes painfully in my chest, and I suck in a shuddering breath.
God, I miss you so much. I don’t know if I can get through this.
I wait for a minute or so for the blow of grief to lessen before I head up the stairs. When I walk into my bedroom, Lainey’s already tucked into bed and fast asleep. I stare at my goddaughter for a few seconds, thinking how amazing she is.
Just like her mother.
My heart clenches again, and letting out a sad sigh, I walk to the closet to get a pair of leggings and a T-shirt. Heading to the bathroom, I quickly brush my teeth and wash my face before changing into my pajamas.
While I take a moment to pull a brush through my hair, my thoughts turn to the beautiful fireworks earlier.
It’s hard to accept Rachel is gone.
A lump forms in my throat, and it takes a minute or so for me to fight back the urge to cry. Sucking in a deep breath, I leave the bathroom only to come to a stop right outside the door.
Easton’s sitting on the edge of the bed, and when he looks at me, there’s a sad pull around his mouth. He’s only wearing sweatpants, which makes it really hard for me to focus on anything.
Unable to stop myself, my gaze drifts over his bare chest, and my abdomen clenches at the sight of all his tanned skin and muscles.
“Mind if I sleep here as well?”
I somehow manage to walk toward the bed as I whisper, “Not at all. Get in.”
I hope I don’t have a nightmare tonight. The last thing I want to do is upset Lainey and Easton.
“You take the middle,” he says, and as I crawl onto the mattress, he switches off the light.
I lie down facing Lainey, and my muscles are tense as I listen to Easton coming closer. The bed dips beneath his weight, and then my eyes go wide as saucers when he wraps his arms around me. His chest presses against my back, and I feel his breath stir in my hair every time he exhales.
“You okay?” he whispers.
“Uh-huh. You?”
His body presses harder against mine, and his arms tighten around me, then he lets out a sigh and replies, “Yes.”
He’s only holding you for comfort. Don’t overthink things.
Lainey turns on her side and snuggles closer to me, and once again, I end up being sandwiched between them.
I lie awake for a long while before exhaustion finally drags me into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 19
Easton
Over the past week, we’ve fallen into a routine where we all snuggle together while watching one movie after the other. I know things need to change, and we have to move forward, but fuck, it’s hard.
Poor Nova hasn’t had her bed to herself since Rachel’s memorial service. Lainey and I never give her a moment’s peace, but she hasn’t complained once.
