Page 81 of Pieces

She nods. “But I also really like yours too, especially Rosie.”

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing we’ve got a little bit of time to pick one.” I wink at her, and she preens under the attention before turning and picking another book from the shelf.

I watch her as she turns pages, fingers dragging over bullet points like she’s trying to absorb all the information. I know right now with absolute certainty that I could never leave her. Even if we’re just friends for the rest of our lives, I’m in this. Although, I really hope we won’t be just friends.

Her hair tumbles forward like silk as she leans over, completely lost in whatever section she’s reading. Strands fall across her cheek, and I have the sudden urge to brush them back, to tuck them behind her ear just so I can see her face better. Her pink sweater slips off one shoulder, the fabric soft and inviting, teasing just enough skin to make my fingers twitch. The front is casually tucked into her yoga pants, which hug every curve in a way that makes it impossible to look away. There’s no obvious baby bump yet, but there’s something there. And it’s mine. She looks extra beautiful today, and it hits me that I haven’t said anything about it yet. I should’ve said something the second I picked her up, but between the library and the baby books, I guess it got lost in the chaos.

I set my book down and lean forward, reaching out before I can second-guess it. My fingers brush under her chin, tilting her face up so she looks at me.

“Hi,” I say.

Eyes wide, a subtle smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. “Hi.”

“You look really pretty today, Daph,” I say, looking into her blue depths.

Her lips part like she’s about to say something, but nothing comes out. She blinks at me, her cheeks turning pink, my favorite color.

“I mean it,” I add, letting my hand fall but keep my eyes on hers.

Oh, this feels like a bad idea, because now I want to do more than tell her how pretty she looks.

Every nerve in my body is attuned to her reactions. Every little move she makes, the quick hitch of her breath, the way her lashes flutter just slightly, pulls me in deeper.

She swallows hard, her throat bobbing, and the world shrinks down to just her. I can’t stop the thought that’s been hammering in my chest for weeks now: she’s mine. Not in some possessive, caveman way, but in the way where it feels like the universe put her in my life for a reason. Like every path I’ve ever taken was supposed to lead me here, to her.

“Hudson…” she whispers, her voice trembling just enough to almost undo me.

I lean back slightly, trying to breathe, trying to keep myself in check. “You don’t have to say anything,” I murmur, my voice lower now. “I just needed you to know.”

But before I can retreat any farther, her hand reaches out, catching my wrist. She looks up at me, her eyes full of fire, and then, just as quickly, she leans in and presses her lips to mine.

It takes roughly point-two seconds for me to react, and before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m leaning into her, my hand finding its way to the nape of her neck. Her hair is soft against my fingers, and the warmth of her skin sends a shock through my body. It feels like my birthday and Christmas all in one moment. I’m kissing Daphne again, and fuck does it feel good.

She tilts her head slightly, deepening the kiss and opening for me, letting me swipe my tongue against hers in the most eye-rolling way. God, I’ve missed her taste.

Then a sharpahemcuts through the moment, snapping us back to reality.

We pull apart instantly, both of us turning toward the sound, and there’s the librarian standing at the end of the aisle. She’s a middle-aged woman with glasses perched on the tip of her nose, her arms crossed and one eyebrow raised.

“This is a library,” she says pointedly. “Not a…a romantic rendezvous spot.”

I glance at Daphne, who’s covering her mouth with her hand, head buried in my shoulder.

“Sorry,” I manage, raising a hand in surrender. “We, uh...” I stop myself, because I have no idea where that was going. Imagine me blurting to a stranger that I haven’t kissed this girl in over three months and she tastes like heaven, feels like heaven. Yeah, I don’t think Jean with the scowly face over here would be happy to hear about that.

The librarian shakes her head, but I swear I catch the faintest hint of a smile. “Pick what you need and check them out at the front desk. I’m giving you both five minutes to do so,” she says before she turns and walks off, muttering something about “young love” under her breath.

Daphne finally lets out a laugh, and I can’t help but join her. “That was mortifying,” she says, still giggling as she presses her hands to her cheeks.

“Yeah, but totally worth it,” I say with a grin. “And hey, now we’ve got a great story to tell the baby someday.”

She groans, swatting my arm. “We arenottelling them this.”

“Fine,” I tease, picking up the books and placing them back on the shelf. “But if they ask why their parents are banned from the library, I’m telling the truth.” I lean closer to her, letting my nose brush hers. “That Mommy wanted Daddy so bad she pinned him against the library shelves and got us kicked out.”

“Hm. Is that what happened?” She feigns innocence, eyes flickering between my mouth and eyes. “I seem to remember you making the first move with your compliments, getting in my space with that look you give…”

“And what look is that, Daphne?” I goad, lifting my eyebrows.

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