Page 135 of Beautiful Storm

“Who knew there was a sweet man under all that playful hotness.”

I burst out laughing as her smile turns into a sassy grin. “No one knew. Because this is yet another version of me reserved onlyfor you.”

And I can’t imagine ever wanting to be this way with anyone else.

Amelia works for the rest of the afternoon, while I mentally plan her new home office. She tried to tell me it wasn’t necessary since she’d only be working for another month or so, but all I heard was “I’ll be working for another month or so,” which means she needs an office.

When dinner comes around, we work together, creating a meal out of the food I have in my fridge and then we talk as we eat, catching up on the part of our days that we missed, discussing our plans for tomorrow.

Like a married couple. A real one.

And it feels right.

I almost consider texting Easton to give him kudos for his advice, but I don’t because his grumpy mood might dampen mine.

We sit down to watch a movie after dinner, but we’re barely a third through when Amelia gets up and walks toward the kitchen, rubbing her forehead. “I’m not feeling so good.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m nauseous and my headache has moved to my eyes. I think I’m getting a migraine.”

“Shit.” My pulse spikes as my chest burns. “Is that normal? Do you get migraines?”

Without answering, she closes her eyes and buries her face in her hands. “God, I can barely see.”

“What?” I rush to her side and gently touch her hips, guiding her back toward the couch but pause when she groans. “What can I do? Tell me how to help.” If I was worried before in the parking lot, it’s nothing compared to now.

“I don’t… I’m really dizzy.” She blinks rapidly as she speaks and when she’s finished, she sways slightly, almost falling away from me until I clutch her in my arms, my panic rising. “Amelia.”

CHAPTER FORTY

Amelia

Luke lifts me into his arms and carries me back to the couch, lying me down on a soft pillow as his frantic voice echoes in my ear. I blink a few times, trying to clear my eyes, but it takes a couple of seconds for me to remember I’ve had migraines before and my vision isn’t getting better unless I sleep for a while.

“I’m okay,” I finally manage to whisper when he says my name again.

“What happened?”

I shield my eyes from the light and try to focus on his expression but it hurts. “I’ve had a bad headache on and off for days now, maybe weeks, but that’s the first time it’s turned into a migraine. I haven’t had them for years. I used to get the same dizziness and blurred vision. I need to sleep it off.”

“I’m calling someone.”

“What? Who?”

“Your OB-GYN. She has an emergency line.”

“This is hardly an emergency, Luke. It’s a migraine.” I try to sit up, but a pain radiates through my head, sending me back down to the pillow.

“Humor me then,” Luke says, and I don’t have to look at him to know that while he’s giving me attitude, he’s panicked. “You don’t even have to be the one to call. I’ll call. I’ll play the part of the freaked-out soon-to-be dad and you can remain cool, calm, and collected.”

I bite back a smile at his over-the-top concern but stop arguing. He’s allowed to care. “Okay. I’m sorry. I’m just not—”

“Used to someone putting you first? I know. But I’m going to need you to get over that. Fast.”

“Noted.” I smile, before closing my eyes and blindly reaching for his hand, only for him to grab mine and intertwine our fingers.

Luke makes the call, and as he talks, he lets go of my hand and runs his fingers through my hair, the soft movement lulling me into a relaxed state. I drift in and out of sleep, hearing bits and pieces of his conversation, but have no idea what’s actually being said until he rouses me.

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