Page 23 of While We Waited

Someone grabs me under my arms and hauls me out of the water. “What’s going on?”

Hudson carries me to a bench and sets me down. “I wasn’t going to watch you drown.”

“I wasn’t drowning. I was catching my breath. In case you missed it, I’m an awesome swimmer.”

His gaze rakes my body and he scowls. It’s obvious he regrets having sex with me while the night we spent together was the best sex in my life.

I need to stop obsessing about the sexy former football player. I need to let him go.

“What are you wearing?”

My brow wrinkles. “A mermaid tail. You can hardly participate in a mermaid race without a mermaid tale.”

“You couldn’t have worn a one-piece,” he grumbles before whipping his t-shirt off. I did not exaggerate how muscular his chest is. I fist my hands before I reach out to touch him. To caress his skin. To feel how warm it is. To watch as his muscles ripple in response to my touch.

“Arms up.”

At his order, I force my gaze away from his chest. “Why?”

“Arms up.”

I’m ashamed to say it but my body doesn’t hesitate to follow his orders. I’d probably jump off the cliff atMermaid Mystical Gardensif he asked me to.

He puts his t-shirt on me. “Much better.”

His t-shirt goes nearly to my knees. “I can’t swim in this. I’ll drown.”

He grunts. “Good.”

I rear back. “You want me to drown?”

“I want you to stay out of the lagoon.”

“You really don’t understand the concept ofMermaid Lagoon Races.”

“Nova!” Chloe yells. “It’s time to receive our prize.”

I stand and wobble since I forgot all about having on a mermaid tail. Hudson steadies me. “Be careful.”

I push him away. “Stop ordering me around. You hate me. Got it. Message received.”

I hop away before he has a chance to respond. I’m done listening to him tell me I’m not good enough for him.

Chapter 9

Enough – not applicable when it comes to pregnancy tests

Nova

My alarm goes off and I groan. Usually, I don’t need my alarm to wake me. I’m a morning person and proud of it.

But my limbs feel tired and heavy. I want to snuggle into my covers and go back to sleep until I don’t feel tired anymore.

If I’m being honest, I’ve been feeling tired a lot lately. The days are getting shorter and the weather is cooling down, but I don’t usually have problems with the seasonal changes.

I normally love how cozy the autumn can be. Wearing thick sweaters and leggings while drinking pumpkin spice coffee and eating some pumpkin treats fromPirates Pastriesis joyful. I do love my pumpkin.

This season is different. I’m tired all the time. Last night I went to bed before nine. And I’m still tired. It’s crazy.

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