Page 89 of Pieces

Daphne glances at me, her cheeks flushing even more as she bites back a smile. I can tell she’s unsure how to answer.

“We’re trying to take it one step at a time,” I say. “There’s a lot to figure out, but…we want to figure it out together.”

“That’s all you can do,” Mom replies, nodding to me and squeezing Daphne’s shoulder gently before letting her go. “It’s not about having all the answers right now. It’s about showing up for each other and for that baby. And from what I can see, you two have a pretty good foundation for that.”

Daphne’s eyes glimmer with gratitude. “That really means a lot.”

Mom reaches for my hand and gives it a quick, firm squeeze before turning back to her seat. “Alright,” she says, her tone brightening. “Now, let’s sit down, finish our lunch, and talk about what you two need and what I can do to help.”

***

Today has been amazing and a lot at the same time. My mom took the news incredibly well. I think we both were holding our breath to see how it would go, but I’ve never been more grateful for her.

Daphne and I are sitting on the couch together. She’s snuggled into my side andLove Islandis on TV.

“Oh, that’s so annoying. He’s being so muggy,” Daphne says with her best—debatable, but I’ll never tell her—British accent.

I press my lips together, biting back laughter. The BritishLove Islandhas us both hopelessly hooked, but watching Daphne get so invested, that’s my favorite part. The dramatic eye rolls, the commentary, it’s better than what’s on screen some days.

“Alrighty, guys,” Mom says, walking around the corner, wearing a fancy black dress. “I’m going to be out tonight. Rory is staying over at Erin’s house. So you two have the house to yourselves.” She looks at me. “And no, I’m not telling you who I’m going to see. All you need to know is that the coffee guy is a very nice guy, and you’ll meet him when I say.”

I chuckle. “Yes, ma’am.”

Truth is, I haven’t seen Mom this happy in a while, and that settles something inside me. I have a good feeling about whoever coffee guy is too.

Daphne sits up, leaving a cool breeze in her wake, and I almost protest and pull her back to me. “You look beautiful, Marlie. I hope that guy knows what a knockout you are.”

Mom smiles, and it looks good on her. “Thank you, honey. Now you two have fun.”

When she leaves, Daphne immediately settles back beside me, wrapping me in her body heat, and I can’t complain at all. I wrap an arm around her, pulling her close again. Whatever’s on the TV is still playing, but I couldn’t tell you a single thing about it. My focus keeps drifting to the way Daphne fits perfectly against my side, the soft rise and fall of her breathing, the faint scent of her perfume.

She shifts slightly, adjusting the blanket we’re sharing, and the movement sends a shiver of awareness through me. I try to focus on the screen, but my mind keeps circling back to lunch, to my mom’s question, and the way Daphne looked at me. She shifts again, and this time I can’t stop myself from watching the way her lips curve when she smiles faintly at something on the screen. She’s so close, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.

Her eyes catch mine as she glances up. “What?”

I shake my head, my voice rougher than I mean it to be. “Can I ask you something?”

She nods, those blue eyes still locked onto mine.

I shift, turning so I can see her face better, needing her to really hear me. “Earlier, when Mom asked about us being together,” I start tentatively, “I need you to know that I didn’t want to put you on the spot. I wasn’t trying to ambush you.”

Her eyebrows knit, her lips parting as if she’s about to say something, but I keep going, the words pouring out before I lose my nerve.

“I know I can be...a bull sometimes,” I admit, letting out a small, self-deprecating laugh. “When I see something I want, I go for it, and I know I’ve told you that I want you. But I need you to understand, it’s not just physical for me. It’s not just about that.”

I reach for her hand, my thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. “I want toknowyou, Daphne. All of you. I want to see every part of who you are, not just now but every version of you as we go. To be the one who has you, truly and completely.”

Her breath hitches as she searches my face. As her hand tightens slightly in mine, I feel her pulse quicken beneath my touch.

“You really mean that,” she breathes. It’s not a question but confirmation for her that it’s the truth.

Something changes in her expression, her walls, the ones she keeps so carefully built, crack just a little more, and she leans forward. Slowly at first, like she’s testing the space between us. Then, as if something inside her finally snaps, she closes the distance completely, pressing her lips to mine, just like the other day. And I love it.

It’s not cautious or hesitant; it’s full of everything we’ve been holding back. Relief, longing, and something deeper that neither of us has fully said out loud yet. Her hands slide up to cup my face as she moves to straddle my lap, my hand slipping to her waist to anchor her against me.

The world narrows to just this, her warmth, her taste, the way her breath catches against my lips, the way her hips move over me. My heart’s pounding a powerful beat, but it’s nothing compared to the rush I feel when she kisses me back with the same intensity.

Fuck, she feels so good.

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