Page 67 of The Baby Bargain
It's easy to not think of Phillip when I stay focused on my task. When I leave gaps—
Well, I guess, lately, my head's been going to Chase. But it's still there, that dull sense of loss.
I don't want Phillip, exactly.
But I miss him. I miss his laugh and his arms and his shampoo.
I miss being half of a whole.
I miss coming home to sweet texts. Cooking dinner together. Sharing stories about our days.
Sure, that stuff was rarer the last year. He was busy with residency. I always thought… I don't know. That it would change once he settled in.
Maybe I was missing all the signs.
Maybe he checked out way before I asked him to go all in.
"Damn, where are you going?" Forest stops in my doorframe.
"A date." I keep my eyes on the mirror. The dress is good. It will keep my head in the right place. In athere's no way I'm handing over my heartplace. That's important. Even if it means a dull sense of nausea. "Why are you here?"
"Meeting Skye."
The girl next door. Literally. Skye and Forest have been best friends since the day he accidentally hit her with a basketball.
They're joined at the hip.
But he's so, so sure he's not into her.
And she always insists she's not into him.
He did spend years with a girl who was all wrong for him. I get why she's hesitant.
But come on, Forest. Get your shit together.
"So you come here to terrorize your sister?" I ask.
He nodsyeah. "Is this a Tinder date?"
"Gross."
"I thought I was too prudish about your sex life?"
"Just don't comment." I have enough over-protective bullshit with Chase. Not that I can complain without giving my plan away. "How is Skye?"
"Stressed."
"Well, yeah, she can't find—"
He shoots me a familiar look.You're not helping.
Ahem. "I'm sure you can find a way to comfort her." I try to drop my voice to that teasing tone Holden uses, the one that saysand by comfort her, I mean with your body, but I don't come close.
Forest rolls his eyes. "I get enough of this from Holden."
"We only speak the truth."
He shoots me some serious side-eye. "Why are you dressed like that?"
