Page 89 of Waiting on You

“It means just as I said. It’s about time. We all knew this would happen eventually. We were just waiting for you to catch up.”

I roll my eyes and huff. “I was taking things slowly. Being cautious.”

“I get it,” she says. “But Nate isn’t your dumbass ex. He’s the real freaking deal. But you needed to see that for yourself. So, when are you going to ask him? And really”—she laughs—“are you going to actually ask him? Because we both know he’s going to say yes.”

“That’s why I’m talking to you.”

“Why does it sound like you’re echoing? Are you in a bathroom?”

“Yes,Ana!” I whisper. “Nate just got home, and he’s in the shower, and I’m supposed to be in there, too, but instead, I’m hiding in the guest bathroom because I don’t know how to do it.”

“Take a shower?” she asks in confusion, and it takes everything in me not to bang my head against the wall.

“Oh my God, no! Ask him to move in.”

“Oh! Just ask him while you’re giving him head,” she says with a laugh. “Julian always says yes to whatever I want while I’m giving him head.”

“I heard that!” Julian yells.

“Too late for that,” I mutter, making Ana crack up.

“Wait! Did you answer my call while you were?—”

“No!” I hiss. “We already…did it.Then, you called, and I was freaking out in my head about how to ask him to move in so I told him I needed to talk to you and that I would meet him in the shower in a minute.”

“Paige, I love you, but you overthink everything.” Ana sighs. “The guy is in love with you. Simply tell him you’re ready for him to move in.”

“But what if he’s changed his mind?” I whisper.

“Not happening, and we both know that. You’re just nervous. But deep down, you know he’s not going anywhere. So, get off the phone with me and go make that man’s night by telling him you want him to move in with you.”

She’s right. I know she is. I know Nate loves me. It’s just so hard, being vulnerable. But this is what I want. This past week without him has solidified how muchI want Nate in my life—and not just him spending the night. I want to live with him, create a life with him. I love him and want a future with him.

“Okay, I’m going to tell him.”

“Good girl. Let me know how it goes tomorrow at work.”

We hang up, and I head to the bedroom, my body vibrating with excitement at taking the next step in our relationship.

“Finally,” Nate says. “I was about to get out and drag you in here.”

“Sorry! I’m coming in now.”

I set my phone next to Nate’s, but before I pull my hand away, his phone lights up with an incoming call from his mom. It ends before I can accept, and his screen shows several missed calls and texts.

“Hey, Nate, your mom just called.”

“Paige,” Nate says, popping his head out from behind the glass. “I’ve been without you for over a damn week. My mom can wait. Get your ass in here.”

“I know but?—”

I swipe at the screen, something in my stomach churning. His mom wouldn’t call and text this many times and this late unless something was wrong.

“Let me just check the text she sent.”

Nate grumbles under his breath, and I roll my eyes, secretly loving how much he missed me. When I unlock his phone, there isn’t just a text from his mom. There are also texts from his brothers and Valerie. I click onthe most recent one from his mom, and my heart sinks.

Mom

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