Page 57 of Can We Try?

“Lachlan?”

He points his index finger at me as he takes a few steps back. “You, my beautiful girl, are trouble.” He winks, then turns to head to the garage to grab boxes he’s been collecting since his offer was accepted on the house. I dry the dishes he just washed and lay them out on the counter to pack.

“What are those boxes?” I point to the corner of the living room when he’s back in the house.

“On the nights I couldn’t sleep, I started packing. Mostly dishes. I only kept out what I thought I might need.”

I start opening cabinets, and sure enough, most of them are bare. “Wow, you’ve got a nice head start.”

“I do. I think we might be able to get this all done today.”

“Today?” My eyes widen.

“Yeah, I’m donating most of the furniture. The new stuff we picked out is being delivered today.”

“How are they going to get in?”

“I have to meet them there at noon.”

“Why don’t you take me home so I can shower and get dressed, and I can go over and wait for them? Maybe you can bring those.” I point to the boxes in the corner of the living room. “I can start unpacking for you.”

“I don’t want you lifting.”

“I won’t be. You can spread the boxes out on the floor, so I can access each one, and I’ll unpack slowly, I promise. Let me help you.”

He studies me for a minute, and I know he’s going to tell me no. Reaching for my cell phone that’s on the counter, I hit Brogan’s contact, putting the call on speaker.

“Hey, you,” Brogan answers.

“Hey. What are you doing today?” I ask her.

“Nothing much. Maddox is getting ready to head over to Lachlan’s to help him start moving.”

“Yeah, I’m here now. Listen, how would you feel about babysitting me today?”

“What?” she asks, laughing. “You need a babysitter?”

“Kind of. I want to start helping Lachlan unpack, but he’s worried I’ll lift something or that something will happen if I’m by myself.”

“Oh, that tracks,” she says. “If he’s anything like his friends, he’s got you up on a pedestal.”

“I’m pregnant, not eighty,” I say, irritated. I think he’d keep me wrapped in a bubble if he could.

“Yeah, but my guess is that you and that baby are his entire world. I can’t imagine him being any different from the others. Maddox, I’m sure, will be the same way.”

Lachlan steps around me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling my back to his chest. He buries his face in my neck.

“Yeah,” I agree. My heart skips a beat as I accept the easy comfort that he so freely offers.

“What time are we doing this?” Brogan asks.

“How about I swing by and pick you up in about an hour? I need to head home to shower.”

“Oh, really?” she says.

“Yep.” I hold back my smirk, knowing there’s going to be an inquisition. “I’ll see you soon.”

“See you soon,” she agrees, and I end the call.

---