Page 40 of Can We Try?

“The house… yes, I saw it, and it’s gorgeous. It’s completely remodeled inside. Seriously, I can’t wait for you all to see it.” I smile when I think about how excited Lachlan has been all week. He put in an offer and it was accepted that day. He’s already been back, taking his parents to look at it the next day. He asked me to go with them, but I was exhausted after working all day on my feet. He stopped by after with dinner, and he was so animated about all he wants to do with the house. He plans to build a shop, and paint, and his enthusiasm was contagious.

“Mad is pumped. We’re going to be neighbors,” Brogan tells me.

“Me too,” Emerson chimes in. “The three of us all live close. I’m glad you and Maddox will have Lachlan close, and who knows, maybe our girl here will be living there soon too.”

“I don’t need you putting more thoughts inside my head,” I tell Emerson.

“Come on, Maggie. Keep an open mind,” Monroe teases.

“Really, guys, I’m so excited for him. He was like a little kid on Christmas morning after they accepted his offer.”

“Well, driving by, it looks stunning. I can’t wait to see it,” Brogan replies.

I give her a grateful smile, and the conversation turns to Kane’s first birthday, which will be here before we know it. It’s hard to believe the little guy is already turning one. Time really does go by in the blink of an eye.

A little while later, I’m sitting on the couch, where I’ve been since we finished dinner, and my eyes are getting heavy. That’s something else that’s a side effect of growing a tiny human. I seem to always be exhausted.

Lachlan appears beside me and kneels next to me. He reaches out and pushes my hair behind my ear. “You ready to head home?”

“How do you do that?” I ask.

“How do I do what?”

“Always know what I need?” I reply softly.

His eyes do this thing where they look softer and even more blue. “Because I know you, Mags. I pay attention.”

“I’m ready to go home,” I say, because I don’t know how to reply to that. He does know me. I’d wager a guess that this man knows me better than anyone. That includes the four women I’ve spent the night catching up with. They’re my closest friends yet Lachlan knows me better.

“Come on, Momma.” He stands and offers me his hand, and because I’m tired and pregnant, I allow him to help me from the couch. Except he doesn’t stop there. He drops my hand and slides his arm around my waist. “We’re headed out,” he announces.

“Yeah, we need to go too,” Monroe says. “Kane conked out a while ago.”

We say our goodbyes, and Lachlan leads me out to the truck. He opens the door for me, like the gentleman he is, waits for me to be strapped in before he closes the door, and walks around the front of his truck to take his seat behind the wheel.

“I should have driven so that you don’t have to take me all the way home, then back to your place,” I tell him, covering a yawn.

“I don’t mind.”

“That puts you home late.”

“I’m a big boy, Mags. I can handle it.”

I don’t reply because he’s right. He’s a grown-ass man; he doesn’t need me worrying about him, but I do. He takes such good care of me and our unborn child, but who takes care of him?

I could be that person for him.

That’s my last thought before I drift off to sleep.

I jolt awake to being carried up the steps of my front porch. I lock my arms around his neck and hold on tight.

“I’ve got you,” Lachlan murmurs.

“You could have woken me up. I could have walked,” I grumble—not because I’m mad that he’s carrying me. No, I’m moody because he’s confusing me and making me fall harder for him with every single interaction, and I don’t know how to handle it.

“And I can carry you.”

We reach the front door, and I dig my key out to unlock the door. “You can put me down.”

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