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“I’m glad.” He beams beside me before digging into his own food and talking through a mouthful. “You’ll have to let me know what foods you’re craving, and I’ll make sure to keep those on hand.”

“You’ve been here all of, what, eight hours?” I laugh, covering my mouth when a few crumbs fall out. “And now you’re suddenly ‘Susie Homemaker’?”

“Why not? I’m home for the next three weeks before I have to go back to the rig. Might as well make the most of my time.” He says, leaning back and rubbing his hard stomach in satisfaction. “Good, right?”

“Yes. It’s really good.” I admit. “Normally, I can’t eat in the mornings, but, yeah, this is good.”

“Perfect. I’ll call mi mamá and ask her for more recipes. I think this kid’s gonna fit in just fine with the rest of the family. We’ll have to introduce you to them soon. Maybe tonight’s family dinner? I’ll ask if I can bring a guest.”

I nearly choke on my next bite at his words. “What?”

“I’ll call mamá and see who’s coming to dinner tonight. She should be up by now.” He says, reaching for his phone. “We’ll have to leave here by 4:30, though, to make it there before six and not be late.”

“Marshall. Stop.” I plead, placing my hand over his phone screen. “I am not meeting anyone today. Especially not your family.”

“You’ll have to meet them eventually. Might as well be now.” He shrugs, picking up his plate and going to the sink. “Mamá is going to be so excited to hear about the baby.”

“No!” I command, stopping him in his tracks. “We’re not telling anyone about this. Not until at least the 12 week mark. And not until I’m ready.”

He gives me a curious look before continuing slowly. “Okay… Then what do you want to do?”

“Right now, I just want to have a peaceful Sunday. Go to the farmers market, maybe. Get my nails done. Catch up on emails.” I sigh.

“Okay. I’ll put clothes on, and we can go.”

“Go? Go where?” I ask, wide-eyed.

“Farmers market. Nails. Then home.” He lists off, counting on his fingers as he goes.

“You’re coming with me?” I ask, bewildered.

“Princess, for the next three weeks, I’m going to be stuck to you like a barnacle. You’ll be sick of me by the time I leave for my next rotation.” He smiles, turning to head to the guest bedroom.

“I already am…” I grumble.

Chapter 6

Elsie

March 14 — 10 Weeks 5 Days, Lime

Marshall wasn’t kidding about the barnacle thing.

The first few days after he moved in on Sunday were cute, and his attentiveness was almost... nice? But now it’s Thursday, and I’m pretty sure my assistant wants to strangle the man more than I do now.

“He has to go,” Oliver says, storming into my office, nearly slamming the door behind him and cringing when it does. “Sorry.”

Every day for the past week, Marshall has come into the office to be “helpful.” Thus, my assistant’s current look of frustration.

I sigh. “He’s a lot.”

“It was cute. It really was. And I do like sending him for coffee...”

“Which you won’t let me have,” I grumble, cutting him off.

“It’s for your own good. You should have stopped a long time ago.” He says, waving me off. “But the man is going to drive everyone to quit. He needs a real job.”

“He has a real job. That’s the problem.” I sigh. “He leaves in 17 days. Then he’s out of our hair for twenty-eight days.”

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