Page 138 of The Trouble with Flings

That’s not a no, and it takes everything I have to keep my expression steady. “Why not?”

She squints up at me. “Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to get me to fall even more in love with this island?”

“Because you’re figuring me out, wild girl.” I draw her into my arms again. “You know you’re going to miss me.”

“Miss you like a sore thumb, maybe,” she teases.

“At least think about it,” I say hopefully. “You put all kinds of programs together at school, but you don’t get to be in the middle of them. This is your chance to watch it happen instead of having it reported back to you.”

I can practically see the gears in her head churning. “I’ll think about it.”

“Can’t ask for more than that. Well, I can, but it would just cause you to turn tail and run for the hills.” I kiss her and take her hand as we continue our walk.

She’s quiet for a long time, but I don’t push. I know she’s weighing the pros and cons and everything in between.

We’re halfway back the way we came when she finally says, “You know, a month ago, you would’ve been right. I probably would want to head for the hills. But I don’t feel that way anymore. I spend my days being the calm in everyone else’s storm. I never expected to find someone who does that for me.”

Something deep and possessive unfurls in my chest. Not because she needs me but because she trusts me enough to stop standing guard every second we’re together.

I stop walking, emotions swamping me as our eyes meet. “You have no idea how much I love hearing that, wild girl.”

She smiles. “Yes, I do, but don’t make it a big deal. I don’t want to panic, and like I said, it’s crazy how fast everything is happening. I can’t believe our sonogram is next month. I mean, I’m excited to see Little Bean, but I’ll be twenty-one weeks. That’s more than halfway through this pregnancy.”

“It’s pretty wild.”

“There’s so much to do. Your nursery will be all done in the blink of an eye, but I don’t even know how I’m going to fit baby stuff into my apartment.”

“Breathe, sweet girl. We’ve got plenty of time. We’ll figure it out.”

“We will,” she says, as if she’s reminding herself it’s true. “Guess that means I need to buy a measuring tape.”

I laugh and can’t help but tease her. “Be a good girl, and maybe I’ll let you borrow mine.”

Her grin turns wicked. “I’d much rather be a bad girl and buy my own.”

“Do you have any idea how crazy about you I am?” I pull her into a kiss, turning us so my back is to the water, sheltering her from the wind as I deepen the kiss, overwhelmed with love for her. This incredible woman is fighting to overcome wounds she never deserved, she took on my community, seamlessly blending in with my family and friends like she was always meant to be there, and somehow amid it all, that generous heart of hers also managed to make room for a boy who didn’t know he needed her, too.

With the ocean roaring at my back and Jennifer warm in my arms, I take the kiss deeper, one thought eclipsing all others.

I could spend a lifetime chasing moments like this with her.

Fuck that.

I’m going to spend a lifetime chasing them with her, for her, and for the beautiful family we both deserve.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jennifer

“Hi, sweetheart. I’m just calling to check in. How’s my grandbaby doing?” my mother asks over the phone as I walk home from work.

“Hi, Mom. Your grandbaby is good. Kicking up a storm.” The baby started kicking last weekend, when I was back on Silver Island meeting with the director of the assisted living facility about the art project for Holden. At first I thought it was gas, or my stomach gurgling. It wasn’t until it happened again later that afternoon, when Fitz and I were at Jules’s gift shop, that I realized it was the baby kicking and got so excited, I nearly gave Fitz a heart attack.

“And you?” my mother asks. “How are you feeling, honey? How’s work?”

“School was a madhouse. This is the time of year when kids are ready to be done with it all, but I feel good.” And incredibly horny. These pregnancy hormones have put my libido into overdrive. So much so that I’m wondering if Fitz and I will have time for a quickie before the grand opening of Jared’s restaurant tonight. “How’s everything with you and Dad?”

“We’re good,” she says sweetly. “Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight and meeting Fitz’s family.”