Page 48 of Can We Try?

“You’re going to need it with this one.” Rodney pulls Amanda into his side and kisses her temple.

Just like his son.

“Amanda, thank you so much for today. I had so much fun.”

“Oh, sweetheart, this is the first of many trips. Thank you for spending the day with me.”

I reach into the back of the SUV to start grabbing my bags. “Which ones are yours?” Lachlan asks.

“The right side are mine. We tried to keep them separated to make this easy,” I tell him.

“Beautiful and smart.” He winks, grabs a handful of bags, and takes them to my car. There are only two for me to carry, and once everything is in my car, I turn to face him.

“Thank you for the help. I’ll see you later?”

“What? You’re leaving?” he asks.

“I need to get home and get off my feet. I’m exhausted.”

“Shit. You’re right. Why don’t we go to my place? I made a big pot of chili. Are you still craving it?” he asks.

This man is turning my world inside out. “I am.” I nod.

“Good. Let’s go to my place. Are you okay to drive? We can leave your car here and come back later to get it. You can take a nap at my place.”

“It’s four. If I nap now, I’ll never sleep tonight.”

“Then we’ll stay up all night.” He grins at me. “Whatever you need, Mags, always.”

“I can drive.”

“I’ll follow you.” He leans in and hugs me tightly before escorting me to my door. I watch him walk to his truck, taking a piece of my heart with him.

The drive to his house is short, and I constantly look in my rearview mirror to make sure he’s still there. He says he’ll always be there, and I can say with confidence that I believe him. There are no red flags waving like there were with Eric. My eyes are wide open, and if I’m being honest, I like what I see.

When we pull into his driveway, he’s out of his truck and to my door, pulling it open before I have a chance to. He offers me his hand, and I have no hesitation as I take it, allowing him to help me from the car. He keeps his hand locked in mine as he leads us inside the house. I’m getting used to my hand in his, and I don’t hate it. I’ve come to crave his touch.

“Are you hungry now?” Lachlan asks as we enter his house. We both kick off our shoes and leave them by the door.

“No, we had a late lunch, but you can eat without me.”

“Nah, I’d rather take a nap with you. I know you said you might not sleep tonight, but that’s a bridge we’ll cross if we come to it.” He takes my hand and guides me down the small hallway to his bedroom. He doesn’t bother turning on the light. “Do you need to change?” he asks.

I look down at the leggings and oversized sweatshirt I’m wearing. “No. With this growing belly, I dressed for comfort, which is my MO these days.” I place my hands on my belly

Lachlan bends and lifts my sweatshirt and kisses my baby bump. “Tell Mommy she’s beautiful,” he says to my belly, and tears prick at my eyes. These damn pregnancy hormones are killing me. He stands back to his full height and motions toward the bed. “After you.”

I’m too exhausted from a full day of shopping to argue how I won’t sleep tonight. Instead, I slide into bed and beneath the covers. Lachlan takes his spot next to me and holds his arm out. I know what he wants, and I want it, too, so I slide next to him, curling against his chest as he wraps his arms around me.

We’re both quiet for several minutes, and just as I’m about to doze off, he whispers, “One night. I slept with you in my arms for one night, and now, I can’t seem to get a good night’s rest without you next to me.” I feel his lips press to my head. “Sweet dreams, baby.”

He thinks I’m asleep, so I don’t reply. Instead, I focus on my breathing, keeping it deep and even. And when I do finally drift off to sleep, I dream of him, of us, and our happily ever after.

When I wake later, the room is noticeably darker. The alarm clock tells me it’s a little after seven. I didn’t intend to sleep so long, but I was too damn comfortable. I know Lachlan is still asleep by the gentle rise of his chest with each breath. I snuggle closer, wanting to soak up as much time with him as possible. I breathe him in and sigh. He always smells so damn good.

“Did you just sniff me?” His groggy voice startles me, and I jump. “Hey, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He pulls me tighter into his chest.

“You smell good,” I mumble.

---