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Who the Heart Chooses

Page 60

by Harlow James

“Weren’t you like two years old?”

I nod. “Yeah, but it’s one of the earliest memories I can actually recall.”

Easton studies me, his eyes bouncing all over my face before nodding just once. “Okay then. Rocking chairs it is. I’ll plan to get it done before the baby arrives. I have the time now.” His smile builds. “Thanks to you.”

“What did I do?”

“You married me, remember? My boss officially made me foreman on the Garnet Valley Community College project, so I got what I wanted, Lennon. I’ll be working right in my own backyard.” Leading me back inside, he glances to the kitchen and living room. “But look. I want you to be comfortable here, so if there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

“I will.”

Easton holds up a finger and then motions for me to follow him. “One more thing. Come here.”

I follow him back down the hallway to the door that’s opposite his room—our room, I mean. He twists the knob and waves his hand inside.

“What’s this?”

“This will be the nursery.”

I walk into the room, looking around the empty space except for one giant box leaning up against the far wall. “And what is that?” I point to the box.

Easton shrugs before closing the distance between us. “I bought a crib.”

“What? Why?”

“Because the baby is going to need a place to sleep,” he says matter-of-factly.

I want to yell at him for proving that men like him exist—men who care about someone other than themselves.

But he doesn’t deserve that.

I don’t feel like I deserve him either.

“Easton, this is too much.” I run my hand over the top of the cardboard box. “First the ring, now the crib…”

“I’m just doing what I promised, Lennon. I kept the receipt. If you hate it, we’ll choose another one together.”

Our eyes remain locked as I debate what else to say to him. I’m so overwhelmed that I’m not sure if there is anything to say.

Easton is acting like this baby really is his, that this marriage is real too.

He’s acting like the type of man I never believed truly existed. Lord knows my track record with men is less than stellar, so I have no experience with the type of thoughtfulness Easton is displaying.

“Look, it’s not that big of a deal,” he says, breaking the silence and looking away, the hardness of his jaw returning. Now I’m wondering if my reaction wasn’t what he was expecting. “I’m going to get more of your stuff from the truck.”

I watch him leave the room as I spin around, trying to imagine what this space is going to look like while feeling shitty about his reaction.

I’m having a baby.

I have a husband now.

And even though I know things will calm down eventually, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the biggest change of all—my relationship with Easton.

Chapter 11

Easton

Changing Up Some Habits