Page 78 of Always Will
“One that will have me traveling all over the country right around the time the baby’s due.”
“Okay, but don’t you like traveling?” She gives a knowing look as she taps her hand on my chest.
“Yeah, I love it. I’ve wanted this promotion for years, but not right now. You need me now.”
“Sweetheart, take me and the baby out of it.”
Did she just call me sweetheart?
My heart’s pitter-pattering like my crush just said I was cute. I clear my throat, shaking my head. “I don’t want to do that.”
“Just humor me. If we weren’t a factor, would this promotion still be tentative?”
Sighing, I run a hand over my head. I see what she’s doinghere, trying to spin this the exact way I spun Europe for her. Even with Marla’s intrusion, I’d have jumped at the chance for this a few months ago.
“If I’m not allowed to give up Europe, you’re not allowed to give this up either.”
“But—”
“Nope. Take it.”
“I’m gonna have them write in some stipulations about distance and?—”
“Tell them whatever conditions you need to make you feel comfortable taking the job. We’ll adjust and figure it out.” She shifts to her knees and holds my face, making me melt into the soft touch of her fingers on my cheeks. “You’ve worked hard for this. Don’t let anyone take it away from you. Not me, not the baby. Especially cheating-ass Marla. You hear me, Trevor Jones? I want your happiness too. Take the promotion.” She presses her lips to mine as if she’s trying to sign the contract for me through the sheer force of her kiss.
“You called mesweetheart.” I grin, still giddy inside. “Am I your sweetheart?”
“Between the two of us, your heart is definitely the sweeter one…” She looks up at me through her lashes, wrinkling her nose. “Iguesssince we go together now, I should make this extra corny and tell you I’m sweet on you.”
“You gonna wear my letterman jacket and let everyone know we’re going steady?” I tease.
Willa’s laugh shoots straight into my chest. “Do you have one?”
“Somewhere back home.”
“Your Mom loves me. She’d gladly dig it out for your girlfriend.”
“You’re so much more than that, though.”
“So I’m…?”
“Gems in the ocean,” I say. Her eyebrows dip, and I chuckle. “After the wedding a couple of years ago, the way you talkedabout the ocean molding something as simple as glass into precious gems was poetic. I’ve only ever seen you as something to be admired. Treasured. You’re more than a friend, more than a girlfriend. You’re my gem, Willa. Just mine.”
Her eyes glisten, her lashes fluttering with emotion. “Yours,” she whispers, swiping silken fingertips down my jaw. She kisses me again, and if I thought I was branded before, this is transcendental. I’m floating somewhere between reality and euphoria, and her touch sends me straight to the peak of happiness. I’m so gone for her; it wouldn’t be possible to find a way back even if I wanted to.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
WILLA
Isurvived. Three weeks stuck in bed was absolute torture, but I defeated bedrest and got the all-clear from Dr. Quentin yesterday. The baby is healthy, the bleeding stopped, and the SCH is gone. When she told me I was cleared to go back to work, I almost did cartwheels around the exam room. No dick for another month though. A small price to pay for getting back into the studio.
My phone rings right as I step out of Framed Orchid for lunch, my heart pounding just seeing Dr. Q’s office number on my phone so soon. Right after my twenty-week appointment yesterday, she sent us to the hospital for my scheduled anatomy scan. Trevor and I saw our little nugget wiggling around while they took measurements, but hospital protocol requires a review from my doctor before the gender results are released. They said it would take three to five business days, and they’d call if there were any concerns. I answer with my pulse beating in my ears.What if something’s wrong?“Hello?”
“Hi, Ms. Willis? This is Nurse Amy from Dr. Quentin’s office, calling with your gender results.”
“Yes. Hi.”
“She didn’t want you to have to wait over the weekend. Doyou want us to slip it in an envelope for you to pick up, or would you like to know over the phone?”
