Page 143 of Captive Omega

I think it looks like the best sandwich ever.

“Anything newsworthy lately?” I nod at his newspaper and pick up one half of my sandwich.

His expression is inscrutable as he watches me lift my sandwich to my mouth. “Some illuminating things I hope will make me into a better, more educated man.”

It would be the easiest thing in the world to walk over there and shake that pregnancy book right out of the newspaper. But I like Garrison Brewster’s answers to questions, and I want to hear more of them.

I hide my smile. “A paper can do all that, huh?”

He opens the refrigerator again, this time pulling out a bottle of water that he places on the kitchen counter. “Here.”

“I’m okay with juice.”

He slides it closer toward me, saying, “I read somewhere that it’s important for a pregnant woman to stay hydrated.”

I recall the Post-it note highlighting how common constipation is and how important it is to drink plenty of fluids.

So, maybe the blue tabs are Garrison’s. Yellow tabs are Vaughn’s. None for Blaine, so maybe he’s not the type to leave Post-it notes.

“Thanks.”

Garrison watches me take the first bite. Savory and delicious flavors explode in my mouth. When I nearly bite my tongue chewing too fast and immediately go back for another, he nods, as if pleased, before he walks back to the dining table.

I’m only half-aware of him finishing his coffee and scooping up his newspaper. My attention is laser focused on this incredible sandwich that seemed too big when I watched Garrison make it. Now I’m demolishing it, it doesn’t seem nearly big enough.

Garrison stops at the doorway. “And that phone call…”

I swallow instead of choke, but it’s a near thing. Tears fill my eyes, and I blink rapidly as I clear my throat to force my half-chewed food down.

I thought he wouldn’t bring it up. I hoped he wouldn’t bring it up. But he’s doing it.

Not brave enough to look him in the eye, I study his shaven chin instead. “Yeah?”

“I trust Vaughn took care of all your needs.”

My eyes fly to his and immediately dart away again as I put down my sandwich. There’s no way I’m eating during this conversation.

“Yes,” I say desperately, hoping he will stop there and not go any further. There’s no mirror in here, but I have to be glow in the dark bright red.

“Excellent. I’ll leave you to your sandwich.” Amusement creeps into his voice. “I had a very distracting afternoon and got no work done.”

He walks out whistling with his newspaper tucked under one arm and his hand stuffed in his pocket.

I bite my tongue so I don’t call him back and ask how. How did he distract himself? What exactly did he do?

I turn around and pick up my sandwich. Then I put it back down again.

Lex walks in and glances at me on his way to the refrigerator. “Oh, hey. Did you know you’re bright red?”

“Yes,” I confirm, “I did know that.” And before Lex can ask why, I cram my sandwich in my mouth.

Chapter 41

Blaine

I’m stuck on the easing labor pains chapter in the pregnancy book.

I’ve read the book twice now, highlighted sections to return to, and others that, fascinating as they are, I have trouble understanding what it would feel like.

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