Page 48 of Beauty Of Her

“Absolutely not.” I glared at Brett. It was obvious how Brett always wanted to maintain control, but sometimes, it got silly. I stood and walked over to the window, watching the rain pound the streets. It was a windy, heavy storm that would make barbecuing impossible. "I think we'll have to come up with a Plan B," I said, turning to face Brett. He looked momentarily disappointed but quickly regained his composure.

“I’ll check the radar.” He didn’t hesitate and pulled out his phone, observing the forecast. His eyes popped. “Shit, this isn’t good. Did they predict this?”

“They have no idea how to predict the weather,” said Zoe, erasing something off the white page from her notebook.

“You can’t drive in this,” I said, peering again at the massive rain flooding the streets.

“I’ll be fine. It’s just some rain.” Brett shoved the phone back into his pocket. “I think we need to figure out what to eat because I’m getting hangry.”

Sara and Zoe giggled, which had become their constant reaction to Brett’s banter.

“I’ll order Chinese food. If that works for everyone?” I asked, getting ready to dial our favorite hole-in-the-wall spot. When no one challenged me, I took that as my signal to go ahead.

“Just tell me how much it is,” Brett said, pulling out his wallet.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring Brett’s offer, and placed an order, checking off all the staples on the menu. The rain continued to hammer down with inserts of thunder and terrifying lightning. The last crack made everyone jump and the lights flicker.

“That’s it, there’s no way you’re driving as long as this continues,” I said, pointing directly to Brett.

“Julia, I’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, in your sports car on flooded streets. No way.” I crossed my arms.

“Why don’t you just sleep over?” asked Sara.

The room fell silent. Brett had never slept over with the girls here, and neither of us even broached the subject. Brett glanced at the girls, his eyes filled with surprise and hesitation. Sara's suggestion caught him off guard, just as I was. But something in her innocent remark made my heart twinge with longing. The thought of Brett spending the night here, tucked away in our little sanctuary, felt exciting and terrifying.

I looked at Brett, hoping to find some reassurance in his eyes. He met my gaze, his expression softening as he carefully considered Sara's proposal. Finally, he nodded slowly.

"Okay," he said, his voice laced with uncertainty. "If it's alright with you girls and your mom."

I hesitated, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. It wasn't that I didn't want Brett to stay. In fact, a part of me yearned for him to be here with us, to wake up wrapped in his warmth every morning. But the protective mother in me couldn't help but worry about the impact this might have on the girls.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled at them. "Only if you two are comfortable with it."

“Yes, of course!” said Sara, her eyes buzzing. “It’s so dangerous outside.” She motioned to the window.

My eyes shifted to Zoe, and I swore Brett stopped breathing.

“Yeah, sure.” Zoe shrugged. “I don’t see the big deal. You guys are dating.”

I blushed, covering one side of my face with a clammy palm. Brett's cheeks turned a shade of crimson, but his shoulders relaxed.

"Well then," I said, trying to hide my amusement, "It seems like the vote is unanimous. Brett will be spending the night."

Brett released a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his head. "It sounds like I don’t have much choice, do I?" His voice carried a playful resignation. Always kept it light.

As we waited for the Chinese food to arrive, we gathered in the living room, making ourselves comfortable on the couch. The girls cuddled beside me, their heads resting on my shoulders, while Brett sat on the armchair across us. An air of anticipation mingled with undeniable tension hung in the room.

The rest of the night went smoothly, and all four of us followed through the basic nighttime routine until it was the hour when we went to our separate quarters for the evening. It had been years since four people were going to sleep in this home, and I would never have imagined it happening again. If I were being honest, I resigned to the idea of being alone until the girls left for college. Instead of dealing with a new dynamic, it almost seemed easier that way. But with Brett, everything came naturally and expectantly.

We undressed in front of each other like we had been doing this for years. I threw on shorts and a T-shirt, and Brett stripped down to his boxers and undershirt.

The bedroom was dimly lit by the soft glow of a bedside lamp, casting shadows on the walls as we climbed into bed together. The cool sheets kissed my skin, starkly contrasting the heat pouring from our bodies. As I settled against the pillows, Brett wrapped his arms around me, drawing me into his embrace.

His touch was gentle yet possessive, his fingers tracing patterns along my back, sending shivers down my spine. I sighed contentedly, feeling a sense of warmth and security wash over me. In moments like this, I couldn't help but marvel at the connection we had forged despite my hang-ups. As we lay in each other's arms, the room filled with a comfortable silence. Outside, the rain continued to pour, creating a soothing backdrop to our whispered conversations and stolen kisses. It still shocked me how our lives had intertwined.

“Julia? I need to tell you something.” Nothing about Brett’s tone resembled the carefree one I grew used to.

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