Page 149 of Stay With Me
We get through two more episodes before she passes out with her feet in my lap. I figure she wouldn’t like me carrying her even though I’m tempted to so she doesn’t wake up, but I softly brush my thumb across her cheek and whisper her name.
“Hmm?” she mutters with her eyes closed.
“Let’s get you into bed. You’ll be more comfortable in there,” I tell her, moving so I can help her up.
“I’m fine right here.” She snuggles deeper into the couch.
So damn stubborn.
“C’mon, or I’m throwin’ you over my shoulder and puttin’ you into bed myself.”
She manages to glare at me with one eye open. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me,roomie.” Then I flex my arm and waggle my brows.
“Ugh, you’re insufferable.”
She takes my hand, and I pull her up until we’re both standing.
“I’ll be up at six, but I’ll keep it down so I don’t wake you,” I tell her as we walk to the hallway.
“I’m gettin’ up at six-thirty anyway, so no big deal if you do.”
“Okay, well, good night.” I kiss her forehead, then turn to go toward my room.
“Wait.” She wraps her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek on my back, and my breath hitches at the intimate touch.
“Thank you for givin’ me a safe place to stay. I know I fought you on it, and I probably will continue to, but I appreciate it nonetheless.” Her soft voice is filled with remorse and it has me fighting the urge to spin around and claim her mouth.
Instead, I rest my palms against the back of her hands and hold her to me for a moment.
“You’re welcome, Sunny.” Then I pat her knuckles. “Sweet dreams.”
“Night.” She releases me, and it’s not until I hear her door shut that my feet finally move.
As I lie in my bed, it feels wrong.
Wrong that she’s across the hall instead of next to me.
But if I’m going to stay true to my words and be respectful of her boundaries and wishes, I’m not going to steal her from her bed and put her in mine.
Even as much as I want to.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Magnolia
10 WEEKS PREGNANT
I’ve never peed so much in my damn life. Just when I get comfortable in bed, I have to get up and go again. Since I’m avoiding caffeine and coffee overall, I’ve been sucking down water nonstop. It’s not a major issue when I’m at home, but while I’m at work, it’s the biggest inconvenience not having a nearby bathroom. With it being the Christmas holiday season, downtown is packed with shoppers who need their caffeine fix. I have to put up my “Be Back in 10” sign every thirty minutes to run to the bookstore across the street, and if I don’t purchase a book soon, Mrs. Weis is going to ban me.
Hell, I’m about to bring a bucket to squat over because it’s getting ridiculous at this point. Apparently, it’s because my uterus is starting to push on my bladder, but it’s only going to get worse as the baby grows, too.
Tripp
I’m leaving in 5. Need me to bring anything before I pick you up?
I’m closing early today since I have my firstultrasound appointment to officially confirm my pregnancy and due date. Of course, as soon as I made the appointment, Tripp was adamant about going with me so I wasn’t alone. Noah offered to join me, but she decided to put on a holiday festival at the ranch with a few weeks to spare, so I didn’t want to take away any of her valuable time. Plus, it’s not like Tripp wouldn’t have tagged along anyway. If I didn’t know any better, he’s more excited about the baby than I am. Since we’ve become roommates, he tells me each week what fruit size the baby is.
