Page 52 of Zac

I shrug. “It’s what you get for being a stubborn ass.”

“Who is hurting?” Bree interrupts. “Presley, where does it hurt?”

“You told me it was your lower back and that you slept wrong.” Luna stands placing her hands on her hips.

“What are you all the pregnancy police?” She doesn’t even finish the sentence before she is cringing once again and hunching over. Only this time it’s not only me that rushes her. Every single person in the room moves in, and within minutes we have her loaded up in my truck and making our way to the hospital.

She can fight me all she wants, I’ll carry her ass through the doors of the E.R. if I have to.

ChapterThirty-Six

Presley

“I told you I was fine.” I walk out of the front doors of the hospital and turn in the direction of Zac’s truck. “I would have been fine.”

“With a little rest,” he adds, following behind me. “Which is exactly what I tried to get you to do before you brushed it off and pushed yourself a little more.” I roll my eyes knowing he can’t see due to being behind me.

“Rolling your eyes at me doesn’t change the fact that I’m right.”

“I didn’t roll my eyes,” I deny.

“Sure you didn’t.” He steps up behind me and offers me a little help up into his truck. I don’t fight him on it, because it’s getting harder and harder the farther I get to do it alone. Lifted trucks are not pregnant girl friendly. “I know you more than you think I do. You roll your eyes every time I say something that irritates you. Which with us that’s about ninety percent of the time, sometimes I don’t even have to speak at all.”

“Stop being annoying,” I say, repositioning myself in the seat to get comfortable.

“Stop being a pain in the ass,” he counters back. “You heard the doctor,” he says, then closes the door. I watch him walk around the front, then climb up into the driver’s side. “It’s time to start thinking of slowing down.”

Again I roll my eyes this time not trying to hide it.

“If I slow down anymore I might as well be moving in reverse. I’m pregnant,” I say. “I worked full time up to the day I had Grayson. This time around is no different.”

“Presley.”

“Zac,” I say right back in the same tone. And what does he do? He rolls his eyes and I can’t help but laugh. Not a little giggle either but a full on belly laugh with tears.

It really wasn’t that funny, but truth be told, I’m exhausted. Right now I think anything would be hilarious.

“Babe.” Zac turns in his seat facing me. “This is serious, I’m not saying you should lay around in bed all day every day. I’m just asking that you slow down a bit.”

“I’ve cut back my hours at the cafe. What am I supposed to do Zac, quit?”

“There’s an idea,” he mumbles and I know my eyes have to practically bug out of my head. I feel like they do anyway.

I want to react, I want to yell at him and tell him that I don’t need a keeper. But there is something in his eyes, a real look of concern. Reaching out, I place my hand over his. “I’ve never had someone that actually cared.” It’s strange. “I’ll tell you not to worry but I’m starting to see that won’t make a difference so I’ll say this. I’ll be more careful, I’ll take more breaks and I’ll stop pushing because I know I don’t have to.”

He arches his brow.

“I promise,” I say with a smile. “I’m also sorry that I made you worry.”

He pouts, turning in the truck seat and starting the engine. I try not to laugh, but at this moment he reminds me of Grayson when you tell him he can’t have a cookie or ice cream until after he eats dinner.

“If you keep scowling, your face is going to stick like that.” He doesn’t even crack a smile. “Do you need a nap?”

“Do I need to tie you to the fucking bed?”

“That sounds promising,” I reply smiling. He slips, the corner of his lips tipping upward. But he quickly recovers. “Will you use silk ties instead of rope though, it would be really hard to explain red marks on my wrists while serving customers their lunch.”

“Well smartass, maybe rope is the best option then. No need to explain anything if you aren’t serving other people and instead taking care of yourself.”

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