I let my thumb trace her cheek, and stare deep into her pretty blue eyes.
“I don’t have a fucking clue,” I say bluntly, and she laughs. “But I promise, I won’t let you down, Livi girl.”
She drinks me in, and the way I want to kiss her right now is almost crushing. That heavy line between us, the one I keep between me and everyone, has faded just a little, overshadowed by the tether between us. It’s clouding my judgment and logic, but although it’s unnatural, there’s a peace in letting someone in, even if it’s only temporary.
“I’mhere.In any way you need me.” I sound a lot more confident than I feel, but I’m running on adrenaline right now and Olivia needs me to be the strong one.
She smiles up at me and the look softens the knot in my chest. “Well, um, I should probably tell you the next appointment is an ultrasound. They’ll measure the baby and confirm my due date, which is currently February seventh.”
We look at each other for a beat, letting this … twist of fate settle between us.
Olivia’s eyes are glass, and I think of what she’s been through over the last few days, having to deal with this alone. I can’t help myself; I say nothing as I pull her to my chest again and she hums a little sigh. It’s been too long since I last held her in my arms, but those weeks evaporate between us now.
“How are you feeling … physically?” I ask, realizing maybe I should’ve asked that first.
Olivia shrugs as she tilts her head to me. “Nauseous, a little lightheaded. Been living on Sour Patch Kids to curb the nausea.”
“Lightheaded? Christ …” It hits me how muchmoreclumsy pregnancy could make her. “We’re gonna have to get you some bubble wrap to wear. For the baby’s safety.”
The baby.My heart thuds against my rib cage and I’m instantly hot.
Olivia swats at me, backing up. “Screw you …” She thinks for a beat, then smiles “Maybe you’re right.”
We both laugh. And then our eyes lock.
“So maybe we should, um … spend some time together? Get to know each other?” she asks hesitantly. It’s fucking adorable how timid she gets when she’s nervous.
“Yes. We should,” I agree because I’m fucking hopeless when it comes to saying no to her. If that’s part of the deal, I want it.
Fuck do I want it.
I watch as she heads over to take a seat on the sofa. I sit beside her, leaning back and running a hand through my hair. This is all so overwhelming, and I need a second before I go off half-cocked and ask her to move in with me. Which actually doesn’t sound like such a bad idea …
“I have no misconceptions about what this is, just so you know,” she says, extending a hand out for shaking. “No casual sex in bathroom stalls. Just friends.”
The formality of her offer is almost funny given she came all over my cock mere weeks ago and is now growing my child.
Yet, I take her small hand in mine and nod. I need to be her partner, and she needs to feel in control when this situation feels so out of control. I don’t want to do anything to fuck this up. But that doesn’t mean I can forget the way we feel together. Her blue eyes start to heat as they trace my face.
I set her hand down in her lap.Friends.
I do my best to drill that word into my head, though I can still feel the heat from her skin burning into mine. The sound of both my radio and my cell vibrating in my pocket makes us both flinch.
“There’s that firework catastrophe,” she says with a shy smile. “Hopefully it’s not Cole.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket and read the message there. “Not Cole, but fuck, I have to go.”
Everything begs me to stay as she nods, though I don’t make to move.
“I’m fine,” she tells me. I pull her close again before glancing down to her stomach, where my son or daughter lives inside of her. My hand hovers over the area but she nods, so I press it against her, almost covering her lower belly with my palm, and I swear to Christ Ifeelthe life in her. My eyes meet hers and the corners of her mouth tug up.Fucking beautiful.
“Um … so, I’ll text you tomorrow?” She tucks her hair behind her ear and it takes everything in me to turn and head for the door, the pull between my job and her is unimaginable in this moment.
“Yup. Night then, you two.” I test the waters. Her mouth falls slack before pulling up into a small smile as she puts her hands in her dress pockets.
“Night, Asher. Thanks for being so great about this.”
I nod in response as I force myself to walk through that door.
