Page 93 of Beautiful Storm

“Some friend you are,” she jokes with a wink.

“Hey, I brought you here.”

“Very true and I love you for it.”

She squeezes my hand before making her way through the crowd and stepping onto the makeshift field. “Is this a boys’ game or can anyone join?”

I laugh as she grabs the ball from Wyatt, before I subtly search for Luke again, my lips pulling into a frown when I don’t find him. God,why am I so drawn to him?

“Are you looking for me?”

“Jesus Christ.” I jump as I spin around, clutching my chest. “Where did you come from?”

“Behind you.” Luke raises an eyebrow as he points over his shoulder. “I was getting a drink.” He holds up a bottle of water and smiles.

“Thirsty work?” I ask and internally scold myself.Thirsty work?Come on,Amelia.

Luke raises a brow as though he knows exactly what I’m thinking before he laughs. “I’ve definitely worked harder, but since I needed a drink, I guess it is.”

I smile to hide my embarrassment and turn back to the game.

“Did I hear you’re working on the nursery tonight?” Luke asks, leaning in close.

“Seriously?” I spin to face him again. “Is nothing private around here?”

“I don’t know, you tell me, Ms. All-Access Pass.” He flicks my top where my “crew” pass would usually sit as he steps in front of me, blocking my view.

“Touché.” I laugh. “And yes, I bought a few things for the nursery. They arrived yesterday.”

“Does that mean you checked the envelope?” Luke’s eyes widen and I can’t help but laugh. Our new OB-GYN asked if we wanted to know the sex of the baby. Luke was all for it, but I wanted a surprise. So instead, she gave me an envelope with the answer, in case I changed my mind. But I haven’t. “Nope. I’m seeing this through. We’ll find out when Jelly Bean’s born.”

“Damn. It was worth a shot. So, can I help?” he asks, his tone completely neutral, like it’s no big deal.

“Why?”

“Because as I told you, I want to help with things.” He leans in closer until he’s barely a breath away and whispers in my ear. “Jelly Bean is half mine, remember?” His warm breath sends a chill down my spine, but I manage to holdback from shivering.

“I know that, and I know you offered to help. But this is different. The idea is that I’ll have a nursery at my house.” I tap my chest in case he needs a visual explanation. “And you’ll have one at your house.” I poke him in the shoulder just to drive my point home and smile. “You get to set up your own nursery.”

Luke stares into space like he hasn’t heard a word I’m saying before finally focusing again. “Should we be living together?”

“What?” I almost choke on nothing.

“I hadn’t thought about having two homes until you mentioned it. Would it be easier to co-parent if we were living together?”

I burst out laughing before covering my mouth with my hand. “Definitely not. Are you—” He bites back a smirk, the movement cutting me off mid-rant. “Ha ha. You’re funny.”

“I try,” he says with a laugh. “And believe it or not, I bet I could work on both nurseries. I’m clever like that. Let me help.”

“I—”

“Before you say no, I should tell you that I’m going to keep asking and annoying you until you change your mind. I don’t have much going on at night these days.”

“Why not?” Luke stares at me pointedly and I don’t need him to explain it. I’ve taken away his hobby…women.Goddammit. I shouldnotfeel guilty about that. Or uncomfortable. I shouldn't be feeling anything.

“I wasn’t going to say no,” I say honestly, trying harder to let him in. I could definitely use the help. “I’ll text you my address.”

“Thank you. I’ll come around as soon as they release us from this hell.”

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