Page 131 of Before I Loved You

“Yeah. It’s a complete turn-on.”

“Well, in that case, I would never be opposed to some role—”

“Nope.” She shoots her hand in the air before me. “I’m going to stop you right there, big guy. There’s no way I’m dressing up as Princess Leia.”

I shake my head, chuckling. “We’ll save this conversation for another time.”

She laughs beside me, squeezing my hand.

“So,” I start. “We find out next week what the baby’s sex is. Are you nervous?”

She shakes her head. “No. I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. Just as long as they’re healthy.” She looks up at me. “What about you?”

“It doesn’t matter to me if they’re a boy or a girl. Just as long as they have your big, beautiful green eyes.” I glance down at her and wink.

A hint of a blush stains her cheeks. “I hate when you say nice things like that.”

“Why?” I ask, amused.

“Because it does this to me.” She points to her bright red cheeks.

I laugh, bringing her hand to my lips, and kiss the back of it over the glove. “But that’s exactly why I do it.”

She shakes her head, giggling. But as soon as her eyes meet mine, that beautiful smile falters.

“What is it?” I ask.

“It’s just…” She hesitates, tilting her face toward the night sky. Snowflakes fall on her face, but she doesn’t seem to care one bit. Something’s worrying her. I can see it in those eyes I love so much. Letting out a puff of air, she looks at me. “Do you think it’s weird that there’s been no retaliation from Greyson?”

My brows furrow as I gaze off.

The thought of Greyson taking revenge has crossed my mind once or twice. But there’s no way he can prove that Ray and I broke into his computer.

It’s not possible.

“He’s not going to hurt you ever again, Sarah.” I brush a few snowflakes from her cheek. “You’re safe now, and I sure as hell will never let anything happen to you.”

She has no idea the lengths I would go to keep her safe.

“I know you won’t. I always feel safe when I’m with you.” She sighs, tucking her head against my side. “I think it’s just going to take a little bit for me to get used to not having that video hanging over my head. I mean, I was expecting to run into him at work my last week, but he was never there. It’s been a few weeks and we haven’t heard anything from him.” She shrugs. “Something just feels off. Has he been weird when you see him at basketball?”

I shake my head. “He missed a couple of practices, and he’s been avoiding me at games, as he should. But there was nothing out of the ordinary.” I brush my lips across her temple. “I don’t want you to worry about him.”

She looks up at me, the corners of her lips turning up. “I’m sure it’s nothing.” Her arm loops with mine. “Let’s keep walking. I want to make room for another piece of apple pie.”

We walk around the neighborhood for a few more minutes until Sarah stops with a gasp.

“What’s wrong?” My eyes rake over her, but I notice nothing out of the ordinary. My hands push back her hair. “Is it the baby?”

She shakes her head. “Sorry.” Her eyes peek around me at the view I’m now blocking. “It’s just so beautiful.”

“What is?” I turn, finally realizing what has captured her attention. An old colonial house that appears as though it’s seen better days. Large columns stand in the front, and a barely surviving deck wraps around the house. It’s the only house in this area that sits on a lake with woods surrounding it, keeping it hidden from prying eyes. No one has lived in it for years.

“You like that?” I ask, confusion evident.

She nods. “It reminds me of the house I grew up in with my parents when I was a little girl. My mom always took me outside on nice days to paint on the porch, and my dad would sit in an old rocking chair, waiting to see what we created. Those are some of my favorite memories.”

Her eyes glisten, and I find myself wrapping my arm around her, pressing my cheek against the top of her head.

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