Page 36 of Too Sweet

I’m not really hearing him, distracted by what I almost blurted out.

I put it behind me for now. We’ve had such a great day, and I don’t want to ruin anything.

Not quite yet.

He laughs and tells me to turn over on my side. “You’re too tired. I shouldn’t be bugging you about small stuff.”

I give a small noise of acknowledgment, and ease into the warmth of Carter’s body as he cradles me from behind. “Summer, I’m so proud of you,” he says, slipping a protective arm around my waist. “Now go to sleep. It’s your turn to be the little spoon.”

I can barely chuckle at his joke before my eyes close, and I drift off to sleep.

I try to avoid making eye contact with anyone in the pharmacy’s family planning aisle.

But of course, that’s impossible.

“Hey there, stranger, how’s the frozen yogurt business?”

Juniper, the downtown business director, greets me with an impossibly warm smile first thing in the morning. I have to be kind, even though I’d like to pretend I don’t see her. But the fact is, Juniper’s been super helpful these last few months. She was there for our grand opening and has become a frequent customer.

“It’s good,” I say distractedly. She’s standing right in front of the pink box I want—the one that, according to the internet, has a 99.99 percent accuracy rate. What are you up to?”

She shows me the haul in her basket. “Izzy’s in her third trimester, and her back is hurting. So I’m bringing her some supplies at work.”

“Nice.”

“What are you up to on your day off, Summer?”

I blush. “I was just picking up some two-for-one candy for the shop.”

She wants to ask why I’m looking for chocolate in the family planning aisle.

But she’s a good person and not that nosy, so she doesn’t say a word.

Instead, she nods knowingly.

“Well, be safe, okay? And if there’s anything you need, let me know.”

As usual, I go home to Ivy Street to find Carter’s car in the driveway.

He sweeps me up in a big hug when I hit the kitchen. “You look stressed, sweetheart. Where’ve you been?”

“Just running errands. I’m not feeling the best,” I say. “I’m gonna take a nap.”

“Can I make you some tea?” Carter says it automatically, like he’s already a husband.

It pulls at my heartstrings because I know he would make a fantastic one.

“No thanks,” I say, smiling bravely up at him.

“You hungry? You want me to get you something to eat?”

I shake my head firmly. Definitely don’t want any food.

“You look a little green. Need Pepto Bismol?”

Now I’m laughing. “Stop, I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

Lie. Complete lie. Oh, I am tired. I am exhausted all the way down to my bones, and it’s a tired I’ve never felt before. But could I sleep? No.

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