Page 82 of Pieces

“The one where you’re imagining what I taste like, how it would feel to be inside of me again. The look that says you want it all and more.” Her voice dips just enough to make my stomach clench, and the flicker of a challenge in her eyes dares me to react. I can’t believe she just put it all out there like that. Any shyness just flew out the window with that call-out.

And damn if I don’t take the bait. “You think I look at you like that?” I ask, staying playful, even though my heart’s pounding like crazy. “Like I want it all?”

Her cheeks flush deeper, but she doesn’t back down. That sudden confidence still evident in her eyes. “I don’t think,” she says as her eyes flick between mine. “I know.”

The air between us practically sizzles, and I forget we’re in the middle of a library. I forget about the baby books and the librarian and everything else.

“Alright,” I say, letting my hand skim the edge of the shelf beside her, caging her in without fully touching her. “You’re right. I want it all, and I’ve been waiting for you to realize you do too.”

Her breath hitches, and I can see the way her pulse beats at the base of her throat, fast and steady. My voice drops even lower. “But not here, Daph. Not with the librarian lurking around the corner, waiting to lecture us again.”

That light, soft laughter bubbles up again, and I can’t stop the stupid smile on my face from growing. I grab the few books we’ve been looking at the most and take her hand. “Let’s get out of here before we really get banned,” she says.

The moment might’ve been interrupted, but for the first time in a long time, everything feels like it’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.

Chapter thirty-five

Daphne

Mylipsarestilltingling.

I kissed Hudson. I had a moment of weakness when I felt so utterly wanted by him and safe that I leaned into it. Just like the night we met, he made me the center of his world for that moment, and it was glorious.

The drive back to campus is quiet, save for Gracie playing through the radio, but I need a second to process what happens next. There’s a lot going on in our lives and so many people who still don’t know about the baby. Have I just complicated things too much?

“You okay over there?” Hudson’s voice cuts into my thoughts, warm and familiar.

“Yeah,” I say quickly, glancing at him, the books in my lap suddenly feeling heavier. His eyes flick to me for just a second, and I catch the hint of a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Good,” he says. “Wouldn’t want you freaking out after kissing me in public.”

Well, damn, am I that transparent? “I’m not. I’m thinking about…ideas. Yeah, I’ve had some more ideas for my social media segment, that’s all.”

Liar liar pants on fire, Daphne James.

“Okay,” he says, taking my word for it, letting me have the space to freak out. All the while, his hand drifts to my thigh, where it stays and squeezes, reminding me that he’s right there, steady, constant and so handsome it hurts. Okay, that last part is because I’m now staring at him.

“So, I was thinking,” he starts. “We haven’t talked about Thanksgiving, and it’s this week. What are your plans?”

I put away my googly eyes for a second and focus on what he’s saying. “Oh, um, I was going to get the bus to WSU to see Liv, but I think she’s got a new boyfriend, so I’m not sure now.”

“You should come to my house instead,” he suggests. “You could meet my mom and Rory. And maybe…” Rubbing the back of his neck, his voice softens. “Maybe we tell them. About the baby.”

Swallowing roughly, I can only stare at him. “You’d want that?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “I mean, they’re gonna find out eventually, right? And it’s not like we can hide it forever. Besides, I thought you’d like to meet them.”

“I do,” I say quickly, but I can’t deny there’s a fear in the back of my mind anticipating his mom’s reaction. What if it’s the same as my dad’s? No, I can’t think like that. I need to enjoy the time we’ll have away. There’ll be less schoolwork, less stress, and time to actually relax. “I would love to meet them.”

His grin spreads like an untamed wildfire blazing across his entire face, lighting it up, and my poor, weak heart can hardly take it. “Good. Great. Okay, phew.” He mock wipes his brow and winks at me. My gaze snags on my scrunchie on his wrist, and I falter. “Now you can go back to freaking out over kissing me.”

And I do.

***

The roar of the crowd is deafening as the final whistle blows. Our team wins by a narrow margin, and the celebration on the field is instant. Players rush together, helmets clanging and arms raised in victory. I can’t help but grin from the sidelines, my heart swelling with pride. Dad is pacing up and down, his arms crossed, but his expression unreadable. He hasn’t looked Hudson’s way once, even though Hudson played his heart out.

It’s like there’s this invisible barrier between them, and it makes my stomach twist. I should talk to Dad, try to smooth things over, but I don’t think I’m ready just yet.

---