Page 46 of Found By You

“Yeah, I mean, it is.” She sighs. “It’s just… None of these apartments are getting back to me. They all said ‘move-in ready’ and ‘available now,’ but no one is returning my call.”

“It’s still early in the week. You only reached out to them yesterday,” I try to assure her as she drops her phone into her purse. “So, where do you want to take your stuff? The motel?”

“I don’t have anywhere else to take it yet.”

Coming to a stop at a red light, I rub my face and ponder the best way to approach this with her. “It’s Monday.”

“Yes, it is.” She giggles.

I grin. “No, angel, it’s Monday. You only have the room until Wednesday.”

“Thursday, technically,” she corrects. “I have to be checked out of there by Thursday morning at the latest.”

“All right, well, that’s not leaving you a lot of time to be out of there,” I say. “You need a backup plan if nothing comes through.”

“Are there any other motels around here?”

“No. You’re at the only one in town,” I grunt. “There’s the hotel at the resort, but their prices are high due to the holiday season.” Maci puts a protective hand over her stomach, a telltale sign she’s getting upset. “If you can’t find a place by Wednesday, you can stay with me at the rental cabin.”

She leans her head against the seat. “I can’t ask you to do that, Duke. I’m a big girl, I’ll figure it out.”

She’s missing the point. I wasn’t asking. “I won’t sit by and watch you stress over finding a place in three days when I’ve got room. It’s not good for you, or the baby.”

“Duke…”

“Maci,” I warn, regarding her and her defensive tone. She won’t win this fight with me. If I have to drag her suitcase with her attached to it, I will. “We’ve spent the last two nights together. You’ll have a car tomorrow to get wherever you need to go. It’s a one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin. It’s not much, but you’ll be with me, and…it’s somewhere safe,” I add, my chest tied up in knots.

Safe.

That damnable word…

“You’re sure that’s a good idea?” she asks quietly.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

She frowns. “Two words: four days.”

“And?” I scoff. “I trust you not to smother me in my sleep. We get along great. I sleep better than I have in years when I’m with you. So, no, I don’t see the problem. Actually, I think it’s a damn good idea.”

Her emerald gaze softens. “Is that why you stayed last night?”

I huff, glancing at her, then back to the road. No sense in denying it now. “Yeah. I love being in that bed with you—no matter what we’re doing. I like…having you close.”

A teasing smile blooms across her lips. “You don’t snore when you’re on your side, but you do this weird wheeze.” She giggles. “Also, there’s no such thing as shoving you over. You’re a boulder when you sleep.”

I boom with laughter. “Fuck, really? A wheeze?”

“Yes.” She laughs. “It’s not bad, but you could use those nighttime nasal strips that open your nose better. They’d probably help.”

“All right, fine, if I get the nasal strips, you’ll come stay with me then?” I don’t want to push her too hard, but I need to know so I can ask my mom to clean the place beforehand.

Don’t judge.

“Only if you let me pay you something for staying with you,” she counters, and I grin. “Not in blow jobs either.” My smile fades. “Please. I don’t like handouts, and you’ve already done so much for me these last few days.”

I pull into the diner down the street and park. “Fine, but I’m buying lunch. And whatever craving you have on request tonight.”

“Are you…staying again tonight?” she asks.

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