For today, I just wanted to let myself believe there was a reason to smile again. Especially when Ellie stood there all rosy-cheeked, wearing a little red sundress and old Chucks from high school while the breeze sifted through her soft, dark hair.
Fuck, I wanted to throw her over my shoulder in the exact way I had in the elevator in Boston. I wanted to cart her off somewhere, strip her down, lay her out bare. Laymyselfout bare, get her to see me again.Reallysee me.
“I’ve been living in apartments for a few years now,” Ellie said thoughtfully, “and I think I’d like a break. I think I’d like to feel grass under my feet again when I walk out the front door.”
I strode to the suitcases on either side of her, frowning as I wondered how they’d made it out here. There weren’t any main-level bedrooms in my mom’s lake house, so Ellie would have had to carry these up or down the stairs. I didn’t fucking like that, but there was nothing I could do about it now. Except make sure it didn’t happen again.
“Makes sense,” I acknowledged. “I was just kidding, anyway.” I hadn’t been kidding. “I was only thinking about how many miles I’m going to be putting on my car, considering I’m coming over every night to do your dishes and read you a bedtime story.”
Ellie’s eyes rolled up. “AndIwas kidding about that.”
When her gaze settled on me again, there was a look of warning in it, and I delighted in the knowledge that she knew I was half-serious. Grabbing the handles of both suitcases before she could dare to take one, I chuckled under my breath.
It might be dangerous, this slice of happiness.
I strode back to my car, tossing both pieces of luggage—whichwereheavy, for the record—in my trunk. When I turned around, Ellie stood at the side of her car, parked in front of mine in the driveway. I examined its spots of rust and thought—again—about how it needed a jump the other night.
“We should get you a new car.”
“Weshould not do anything about my car. I got a tune-up the other day. It’s fine.”
“I can research options tonight,” I said, “After I read you a bedtime story. How doesThe Hobbitsound, by the way?”
“You willnotbe doing any car research, and you willnotbe buying me a car,” she said, a little more stern.
Noticed she didn’t have any opposition toThe Hobbit, though.
Excellent.
“It’s not just for you. It’s forbothof you,” I pointed out. I was worried enough about her driving that carbeforeI knew she was pregnant. Now it definitely had to go.
“Sawyer…”
I was smiling again. There was something about the way she gritted my name out between her teeth like that.
“You know, my brother’s a millionaire.” I knew I should stop, but I couldn’t help it. “Maybe I’ll tell Noah you need a new car. You can’t reject agift, now, can you? Just ask my mom.” I gestured to the house behind her.
“I sure can.” But she didn’t sound so certain, and she dropped her voice as she added, “Don’t youdaresay anything to Noah about my car.”
I cocked a brow. “You know he would.”
“I do, which is why I need younotto say anything, Sawyer.”
I grinned harder, unable to stop myself.
“Fine.” And then, sobering a bit, I asked, “Are we saying anything to anyone?”
She shifted on her feet, leaning a hip on the curved, rusty exterior of her Corolla. “I mean, we’ll have to eventually, right?”
“Yeah, eventually, we will.” I mimicked her, leaning my own hip against my car door. “Eventually, we’ll have a blue-eyed, black-haired baby to explain.”
Ellie’s eyes shone at my words, and I knew she was picturing it. I knew shewantedit.
She wanted this with me.
She came home.
“Eventually,” she whispered, a sheen over her pretty brown gaze. “But maybe not yet.”
