Page 9

Dropping my backpack by the couch, I peek into the bedroom. With the attached bathroom light still on, I can see her curled up under the comforter. I’ve always thought she looked adorable when she slept. Her mouth is usually settled into a pout unless she’s dreaming. Then it curls up in a smile.

Her dark hair is splayed across her pillow, and all I want to do is cuddle up behind her. I’m debating whether to wake her up to tell her I’m here or let her sleep when she blinks her eyes open. Her gaze lands on me immediately. The smile she sends me simultaneously fills me with joy and knocks the wind out of me.

I walk into the room and squat down by her head. “Hey, Ladybug.”

“You made it,” she murmurs.

“I did. Go back to sleep now, okay? We’ll talk in the morning.”

“It is the morning.”

“Smart-ass.”

She grins, and I can’t hold back. My self-control has slowly been unraveling, and all that’s left are easily breakable threads. I use my fingertips to push some of her hair off her forehead before leaning in to press a kiss there.

Kylie closes her eyes, breathing out a long sigh as her face relaxes. “Will you lie down with me? Like we used to do when we were kids?”

Fuck. This isn’t going to end well for me. “I’m not sure I can get close with the mountain of pillows you have around you.”

Her mouth quirks up, but she narrows her eyes at me. “You try growing a human.”

“I’m not nearly strong enough to handle all of that the way you are.”

“Good answer.”

I snort but start taking off my boots. It hits me then that I hate sleeping in pants. They make me feel like my legs are being strangled. I could suffer through in some sweatpants, I suppose. Fuck.

“Just wear your underwear, Gray. It won’t be the first time I’ve seen you almost naked.” Kylie’s eyes are closed, so I do as she says.

“You’re awfully sassy for it being almost three a.m.”

“Try being pregnant and sleep-deprived. This is only the beginning. Just wait until tomorrow when I’m extra crabby and can’t have a cup of coffee.”

Once I’ve stripped down, I get into bed behind Kylie. She groans and rolls herself over onto her other side. I help her get her pillows repositioned until she’s comfortable again.

“Good night, Gray.” She reaches out for my hand, pulling it into her chest the way she used to when we were little.

“Night, Ladybug.”

* * *

I startle awake, my eyes flying open, only to exhale a breath of relief when Kylie’s smiling face comes into view.

“I thought you were going to sleep the day away.”

I blink the sleep from my eyes. “What time is it?”

“Nine.”

I give her a deadpan expression, and she giggles.

“Come on, sleepyhead. I want to get out of these clothes.”

I sigh, scrubbing my face as I sit up. Kylie gives me a minute to go to the bathroom and get dressed. I only put on my jeans since I left my backpack in the living room.

I freeze on the threshold between the bedroom and living room. Kylie is slumped over her phone, her shoulders lined with defeat.

“Hey.” I almost ask if she’s okay, but it’s very obvious she isn’t.