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“Ditto.”

“But it was with you. It was us…together.”

“It was.”

“What…” Her brows draw together. “How…”

I press a finger to her mouth, silencing her because I can sense her freaking herself out with questions about what happens next.

I’m sure as fuck thinking the same thing, but putting too much pressure on defining this will only end with us yelling at each other again.

I’m tired of fucking arguing with Lennon. It can be fun, but more than anything, I want the chance to love her the way I’ve always wanted to.

That means I have to meet each shift with patience and put as little pressure on her as possible.

Cupping the side of her face, I ask, “Do you want me?”

She blinks a few times before nodding.

“Are you giving yourself permission to want me now?”

Her head bobs up and down again.

“Then you have me, Lennon.” I shrug as the corner of my mouth lifts. “I’m yours. It’s as simple as that.” When I lower my hand, her expression shifts. “Is everything okay?” I ask as desperation coats my words. My eyes dip down to her stomach. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

The way her smile builds nearly steals the breath from my lungs. She reaches for her stomach. “No. I’m fine. I just—I just felt the baby kick. Like, really kick!”

“Shit. Really?” I reach forward to where her hand is, waiting to feel the same movement that just made her light up.

She moves my hand to another spot and then gasps. “Oh my god! There it was again. Did you feel it?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

Her smile falls. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. With how far along you are, it’s not uncommon for you to feel those kicks, but other people usually can’t feel them from the outside yet.”

She draws her bottom lip between her teeth. “You learn that in part of your research?”

“Yeah. I did.”

We both grow quiet before she leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips. Feeling her make that choice on her own gives me so much hope.

She has to feel this too, right?

There’s no other reason why she would cross that line.

Then why am I terrified of what might happen if she changes her mind?

Chapter 23

Lennon

Building a Deck and Confidence

“Yup. Now this is complete.” Ginny takes the bowl from my hands, burying her own fingers into the salty and buttery goodness. “We definitely needed popcorn for this show.”

Nora’s eyes are locked on Crew through the window overlooking Easton’s backyard, her mouth practically salivating—and not for the snack I just provided. “Uh-huh.”