Page 96 of Beautiful Storm

“I am. I’ve had enough socializing for one day.”

“Sounds good. I’ll grab my—”

“You don’t have to leave,” I cut him off. “I can get started and you’re welcome anytime.”

Luke chuckles, but I don’t see what’s funny. “I’m coming now. I’ll meet you at your place. Don’t forget to text me the address.”

“Okay. I won’t.”

He turns to walk away but I grab his arm, an anxious knot settling in my stomach. “Luke.” He turns my way with a grin. “My place isn’t like your place. It’s…uh…Remember how I couldn’t get insurance?” My way of saying I get by but I am not at all wealthy.

“You worry too much.” He bops me on the nose. “I’m sure I’ll love it.” He winks before turning and jogging away again, while I’m left confused as I try to process my feelings.

Why does he have to be so good to me?It would be infinitely easier if he wasn’t.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Amelia

Luke arrives within ten minutes of me getting home, making me rush. I assumed I’d have at least half an hour to tidy up before he arrived. But nope, he’s here.

“Did you actually say goodbye to anyone, or just walk away?”

“Did you?” he counters with a raised brow.

“I spoke to Hayley but she decided to stay, and I waved to Keeley. I wanted to say goodbye to your sister and Thomas, but I couldn’t find them.”

Luke chuckles. “Don’t worry about them. Soon you’ll be seeing them so much you’ll be begging me to get you away.”

“Why?”

“Lainey loves kids. And she loves being an auntie to Dylan and Summer’s kids. If you’re not careful, she’ll move in here.”

“They don’t have kids of their own, right? I think that’s what Thomas said.”

“They don’t. But you never know with those two. They follow their own rules. So they tell me.”

“Kind of like us? We’re in a very nontraditional relationship.”

“We’re in a relationship now? Good to know.”

“Shut up.” My heart pounds when he winks at me. “The nursery is this way.” I change the subject. “The sooner we start, the sooner you can leave.”

Luke chuckles again before following me into the nursery—which is actually my bedroom—and I hold my breath, waiting for whatever remark he’s going to throw my way.

He takes a moment as he frowns before turning to face me. “Do you like it here?” he asks, perhaps holding his judgment until I answer.

“It’s close to everything and comes with a parking space. That’s not easy to find.”

“No, it’s not. But you didn’t answer my question.”

“It’s not how I pictured raising my child, but it’s mine and it’s home.”

“Does that mean you’d be opposed to me buying you a bigger house?” Luke invades my personal space as he bounces his eyebrows. “With a separate bedroom for Bean.”

“Yes, definitely.” I push him away. “As ‘opposed’as one could be. You’re already doing enough. Which reminds me. We didn’t do a prenup. Is there any way around that? Something you can do after-the-fact?”

“What?” Luke huffs out a laugh. “Are you scared I’m going to take your framed movie posters in the divorce?” He tilts his head toward the two frames I have hanging in my room. One forLabyrinth—my favorite movie—and one forThe Shawshank Redemption—the movie that made me want to be a film director.

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