Am I capable of it?
That’s where I choke with this whole thing.
The word “family” sits in my mouth like a foreign object.I’m too broken for it.But not being part of her and the baby’s life doesn’t fit in my future either.It doesn’t settle.It feels wrong, like missing an entire limb.
Contradiction, meet my entire personality.
The elevator dings.
The doors slide open.
Inside the apartment, she drops her purse on the counter and lets out a long exhale.It’s as if she’s been keeping herself upright on nothing but nerve and sarcasm.
“Okay,” she says, voice too bright, like she’s trying to make this a normal afternoon.“I’m officially done being brave for the day.”
Callaway moves first and goes straight for the fridge like it’s a mission.He pulls out the pitcher Benji left—orange, lemon-ginger sparkling water—to help with hydration and morning sickness.
He pours a glass and hands it to her.“Drink.”
Vesper eyes it like it personally offended her.“If I turn a lemon-y color, I’m haunting all of you.”
“You’d haunt us even if you stayed human,” Callaway says without missing a beat.
A laugh slips out of her, and for half a second it feels like the room has light in it.
Then her smile falls away as she yawns.
I clear my throat.“Go change into something comfortable.You look tired.You need to rest.”The words come out harsher than I intend, almost like a command.
Can anyone blame me?She looks like she’s about to fall asleep standing.
Her brows lift.“That doesn’t sound like a suggestion.”
I press my lips together because she’s right and I hate that she’s right.
“It wasn’t,” I say.
Her mouth curves, but it’s not amused.It’s wary.“Monty ...you’re being bossy and?—”
“Probably,” I cut in, and I hate how the word cracks through me like a warning.“But I’m not going to pretend I’m okay with you pushing yourself until you drop.You’re exhausted.”
Her gaze holds mine, and there’s that familiar push-and-pull in her face—she wants to argue because arguing means she’s in control, but she’s also so tired her eyes look too bright.
Callaway shoots me a look that sayseasy, but he doesn’t contradict me.He’s protective too, and is concerned about her.
He steps closer to her, voice softer.“Hate to agree with the big guy, but you do need rest.Put something comfy on and we’ll cuddle on your new favorite couch.”
Vesper points at him, accusing.“If we move, there won’t be a comfy couch.”The pouty lips make me want to kiss her.I don’t.
Cally’s grin is immediate, like she just handed him a gift.“Harvey will find you a new one—or buy this one and have it delivered to wherever we end up.”
Fuck, this guy has to stop planning.Seems like he’s already nesting, in his own ridiculous way.
She huffs, but she doesn’t fight it.She turns and walks toward her room.Halfway there she pauses, glances back at us, then looks away like she’s embarrassed by how much she needs this.
“Don’t do anything dumb while I’m gone,” she mutters, and it’s a joke, but her voice is thin.
Callaway salutes.“No promises.”
